Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Holding Company: DGT doctrinal evolution

How the DGT's position on this topic has evolved, and the rulings it rests on.

← DGT Observatory

How the DGT's position has evolved

Settled doctrine High confidence 218 rulings · 2014–2026

Current position

An entity is considered a holding company if more than half of its assets consist of securities or elements not used for an economic activity. In the case of administrators moving to Spain, the entity must not be a holding company if the administrator's participation determines a related-party relationship. Furthermore, for certain special regimes, the existence of control by a holding company prevents the application of benefits for newly created entities.

The DGT maintains a constant definition of a holding company based on the composition of assets. The doctrine has evolved towards applying this concept to limit benefits in regimes regarding the relocation of administrators and in the classification of newly created entities under the control of holdings. There are no changes to the base definition, but rather a greater application of the classification in different scenarios under the LIS (Corporate Income Tax Law) and LIRPF (Personal Income Tax Law).

Turning points

  1. V5401-16

    Establishes that an entity is a holding company if more than half of its assets are securities or elements not used for an economic activity. Clarifies that securities representing 5% of the capital do not count if there is an organization of material and personal resources.

Analysis based on 188 of 218 rulings with a stated position. Updated 29 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

10
V1968-19 29 Jul 2019

Non-monetary contributions may apply even if recipient is a patrimonial society

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
aportación no dinerariarégimen especialsociedad patrimonialmotivos económicos válidosholding familiar LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 87LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 89.2
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0136-16 19 Jan 2016

Corporate Tax exemption may apply to the transfer of shareholdings

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
exencióntransmisión de participacionesrenta positivasociedad patrimonialsociedad holding LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 21.1.aLIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 21.3
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2867-14 23 Oct 2014

Sale of a property by a non-economic society is exempt from VAT

SG de Impuestos sobre el Consumo
empresario o profesionalactividad económicasujeción al impuestoderecho a la deducciónsociedad patrimonial LIVA — Ley 37/1992 del IVA art. 4LIVA — Ley 37/1992 del IVA art. 5
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

Apply this to your case

Corporate tax advisoryTalk to the team applying this doctrine daily.
Talk to the tax teamWe check whether this criterion affects you and what it means in your situation.
Email
Contact