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Official Exchange Rate: DGT doctrinal evolution

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

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How the DGT's position has evolved

Settled doctrine High confidence 9 rulings · 2016–2023

Current position

For the Personal Income Tax (IRPF) declaration, operations carried out in a currency other than the euro must be converted into this currency by applying the official exchange rate. The official rate is considered to be that published by the European Central Bank, either directly or through the Bank of Spain, in accordance with article 36 of Law 46/1998. Exchange rate differences that do not derive from an economic activity are classified as capital gains or losses.

The DGT's position remains constant throughout the analyzed sequence. No changes are observed in the definition of the official exchange rate nor in the treatment of exchange differences, which remain classified as capital gains or losses.

Analysis based on 8 of 9 rulings with a stated position. Updated 29 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

10
V0528-23 6 Mar 2023

Foreign income must be converted using official exchange rate

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
renta mundialtipo de cambio oficialganancia patrimonialpérdida patrimonialresidencia fiscal LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 5
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2630-22 27 Dec 2022

Brazilian remote workers' income taxed in Spain if Spanish national

SG de Fiscalidad Internacional
residencia fiscalrentas del trabajoconvenio de doble imposicióntrabajo telemáticonacionalidad LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 9.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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