Luxembourg has enhanced its existing limited partnership regime, adding the special limited partnership to its range of investment vehicles designed for the alternative investment industry, including private equity. The authorities have adopted a pragmatic and business-friendly approach to meet the most stringent requirements of alternative fund managers. We summarise below the main legal and tax rules applicable to regulated and unregulated Luxembourg common limited partnerships and special limited partnerships.

The Luxembourg limited partnership is an entity established for a limited or unlimited period of time either as a common limited partnership (société en commandite simple or SCS) or a special limited partnership (société en commandite spéciale or SCSp), by one or more unlimited partners with joint and unlimited liability, or by one or several limited partners liable up to the value of their contributions.

Contributions to the limited partnership may be made in cash, in kind or by other means such as services under the terms and conditions of the limited partnership agreement, and may be freely determined by the partners. In contrast to other Luxembourg legal entities, contributions in the form of services do not require an external valuation report, and their value may be determined by private agreement.

In addition, unlike most common corporate structures under Luxembourg law, the limited partnership does not impose any minimum capital requirements.

Partnership interests, representing contributions to the limited partnership, may or may not be represented by securities. In a limited partnership that does not issue securities to its investors, each limited partner has a capital account, an equity account in the accounting records of the limited partnership. It typically varies according to the initial and subsequent contributions by partners, profits and losses recorded by the limited partnership and allocated to the partners under the LPA, and distributions to the partners.

The main difference between the common and special limited partnerships is that the former has a legal personality distinct from that of its partners, whereas the special limited partnership does not have legal personality, making it very similar to the limited partnership under English law.

The features of the limited partnership make this entity a very attractive new addition to the Luxembourg investment toolbox.

The limited partnership may be used for master-feeder structures, as an acquisition vehicle, or for joint ventures, but its most frequent use is for private equity, venture capital and real estate investments. The popularity of the limited partnership for private equity investments is down to the high level of contractual or corporate flexibility provided by its legal form, which is familiar to Anglo-Saxon investors and promoters due to its resemblance to the English limited partnership.

As a general rule, the limited partnership does not automatically fall under the definition of an alternative investment fund (AIF), but it may take the form of a collective investment undertaking with multiple compartments that raises capital from a number of investors, with a view to investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for their benefit, and does not require authorisation under the UCITS regime.

Under these circumstances, the limited partnership qualifies as an AIF in accordance with the  2013  legislation on alternative investment fund managers and may carry out its activity either as an entity regulated by the Financial Sector Supervisory Authority (CSSF) under the SIF or SICAR legal regime, or as an unregulated entity. Irrespective of whether it is regulated or unregulated, the AIF must appoint an alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) that may be registered or authorised depending on the value of its portfolio of AIF assets under management.

From a corporate structure perspective, if the SCS qualifies as an AIF and it is internally managed, the SCS itself will be authorised or registered as an AIFM. If, however, the SCS appoints an external AIFM, the general partner or third-party AIFM must be registered or authorised under the 2013 legislation.

The SCSp, on the other hand, may not be authorised as an internally managed AIF due to its lack of legal personality, so it must appoint an external entity (which may be its unlimited partner acting as the general partner or another company) as external AIFM.

Finally, unregulated special limited partnerships are often used to invest in private equity, venture capital and real estate assets and any other alternative assets.

The main practical steps in establishing a limited partnership as an alternative investment fund (AIF) are:

  • Incorporating the general partner.
  • Executing a limited partnership agreement (LPA) by means of a private or notarial deed.
  • Engaging the required service providers, subject to the regulated or unregulated status of the limited partnership.
  • Publishing the required extract from the limited partnership agreement in the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register.
  • Establishing a register of partnership interests.
  • Requesting the registration or authorisation of the AIFM by the CSSF.

The limited partnership is managed by one or more managers who do not necessarily have to be unlimited partners. In practice, however, the unlimited partner is often the manager of the limited partnership.

Where management of the limited partnership is not entrusted to the unlimited partner, the liability of the manager is governed by the general provisions applicable to board members provided by the 1915 law on commercial companies. These stipulate that the manager of the limited partnership is responsible for the execution of the mandate and for any misconduct in the management of the limited partnership, and is jointly and severally liable toward the limited partnership and third parties for damages stemming from breach of the law or the LPA.

Subject to the provisions of the LPA, the manager of a limited partnership may delegate the management to a third party, which will be liable only for the performance of its own mandate.

Contractually agreed restrictions regarding the powers of managers cannot be applied in relation to third parties, even if published in the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register. However, the LPA may authorise one or more managers to represent the limited partnership, either jointly or individually, and such a clause is valid with regard to third parties, subject to publication formalities.

The acts of the managers may bind the limited partnership even if they exceed the corporate purpose mentioned in the LPA, unless it can be proven that the third party was aware that the act was outside the scope of the corporate purpose or if, in the context, the third party could not have been unaware of such circumstance.

Distributions in a SCSp

The limited partnership legal regime allows partners to tailor their participation in profits and losses, as well as distributions, as they deem appropriate in the LPA. If the constitutive deed of the limited partnership does not provide any rules in this respect, each limited partner shall participate proportionally to the subscription of its partnership interests.

The limited partnership may distribute profits or reimburse partnership interests, as contractually agreed in the LPA. The freedom provided by the legal provisions governing the LPA allow partners of private equity partnership agreements to structure any clawback provisions regarding the general partner or the limited partners in line with agreed commercial terms.

Voting rights in a SCSp

Unless provided otherwise in the LPA, as a general rule the voting rights of each partner are proportional to their partnership interests.

Decision-making process in a SCSp

The decision-making process may also be tailored by the provisions of the LPA and the agreement may list resolutions that do not require a decision by the partners. However, certain aspects must be decided upon by the partners, namely the corporate purpose, a change of nationality, conversion of legal form or liquidation of the limited partnership.

The formalities and conditions for passing resolutions should be determined in the LPA, otherwise, the rules are as follows:

  • Written consultations and vote in writing - resolutions of the partners shall be adopted at general meetings by means of consultation in writing; before such consultations, each partner shall receive the precise text of the resolutions and express their vote in writing.
  • Majority of votes rule – decisions shall be validly adopted by a majority of votes expressed irrespective of the portion of partnership interests represented, except for amendments regarding the corporate purpose, change of nationality, conversion of legal form or the liquidation of the limited partnership, which require the consent of partners representing three-quarters of the partnership interests and of the unlimited partner.
  • Partners representing more than half of the partnership interests may convene a meeting.

Transfer of partnership interests in a SCSp

Unless otherwise stated in the LPA, the transfer, dismemberment, or pledge of limited partnership interests is subject to the approval of the unlimited partner. If the LPA does not contain any provisions in this regard, the transfer, dismemberment, or pledge of partnership interests of the unlimited partner is subject to the consent of the limited partners, who shall deliberate according to the rules regarding amendment of the LPA. Transfers by cause of death do not require approval in either case.

The unlimited partner has unlimited and joint liability for the obligations of the limited partnership, while limited partners’ liability is restricted to the amount of their subscribed partnership interests.

In general, limited partners are forbidden to carry out any acts of external management – acts performed for the account of the limited partnership with third parties. However, it is not forbidden for the limited partner to perform acts of internal management that are internal to the limited partnership.

An act of external management triggers unlimited liability on the part of the limited partner toward third parties, although not toward other members of the limited partnership. In these circumstances, the limited partner in question may become jointly and severally liable toward third parties for any obligations of the limited partnership in which it was involved through acts of management.

The scope of the joint liability of the limited partner in these circumstances depends on its involvement in the management of the limited partnership. An isolated rather than regular act of external management will result in liability only for the commitments or obligations of the limited partnership in which it has taken part. A limited partner that has regularly performed acts of management involving third parties may be liable to those third parties even for commitments or obligations in which it did not take part.

Luxembourg’s 1915 law on commercial companies provides a non-exhaustive list of actions that do not constitute acts of external management triggering a limited partner’s liability towards third parties: exercising partner prerogatives; providing advice to affiliated entities, managers of the limited partnership or to the limited partnership itself; oversight or control functions; granting loans, guarantees or securities, or any other type of financial assistance; and approving acts outside the duties of the managers.

Limited partners may as a rule carry out any acts of internal management and in general, any acts that would not mislead a reasonable third party regarding the scope of the involvement of the limited partner, including voting on any issues subject to their consent under the LPA such as amendments to the agreement, extension of the partnership’s duration, winding up of the partnership or removal of a manager, or acting or being represented on any internal body of the limited partnership, such as an investment committee or advisory board, even if the body has a power of decision over actions taken by the partnership.

The commercial companies legislation also states that a limited partner will not lose its limited liability by acting as director or agent of a manager of the limited partnership, even if the manager is an unlimited partner, or may execute documents on behalf of a manager, in its capacity as a representative of the limited partnership. However, this safe harbour provision requires the capacity in which the limited partner is acting to be clearly indicated.

The 1915 law also authorises a limited partner to conduct transactions with the limited partnership without its rank as privileged or general creditor being affected by its capacity as a limited partner. For example, a limited partner lending money to the partnership will have the same ranking as a creditor of the limited partnership as external entities.

Direct taxation of a SCSp

Unregulated SCS and SCSp are tax-transparent entities for corporate income tax and net worth tax purposes. The partnership should not be subject to corporate income tax, subject to the analysis of the application of the reverse hybrid rule. As from 1 January 2022, the scope of Luxembourg anti-hybrid rules has been extended to entities that are transparent for Luxembourg tax purposes, such as the special limited partnership. The 2023 Luxembourg budget law provides the following clarification, applicable as from the tax year 2022:  the anti-hybrid rules shall not apply when the investors are tax-exempt due to a subjective exemption or because they are either residents or registered in a no-tax jurisdiction.

Municipal business tax of 6.75% (rate of Luxembourg-city) may become applicable in the event that the limited partnership carries out any commercial activity or is deemed to be doing so. The limited partnership is deemed to be carrying out a commercial activity if its general partner is a Luxembourg public or private limited liability company holding at least 5% of the partnership interests. However, proper structuring of the general partner partnership interest should ensure the limited partnership will not be deemed to be carrying out a commercial activity.

The Luxembourg direct taxation authority has clarified in the circular of January 9, 2015, that unregulated SCS or SCSp qualifying as an AIF within the meaning of the law of 2013 on alternative investment fund managers are deemed not to be performing a commercial activity. Therefore, an unregulated SCS or SCSp that is an AIF will be completely tax-neutral, provided that no general partner is a Luxembourg company holding 5% or more of the partnership interests.

Finally, as tax-transparent entities, neither SCS nor SCSp benefit from Luxembourg’s double taxation avoidance treaties, nor from the EU’s Parent-Subsidiary Directive (2011/96/EU).

VAT

Management services provided to an SCS or SCSp that qualifies as an AIF are exempt from value-added tax.

Luxembourg withholding tax on dividends

Dividend distributions made by an SCS or SCSp to resident or non-resident partners are not subject to withholding tax in Luxembourg.

Contractual flexibility of an SCSp

One of the main advantages offered by the limited partnership is the contractual freedom of the parties. Apart from a limited number of statutory provisions, there is great flexibility in determining the rules governing the functioning of the limited partnership.

Short time to market of an SCSp

The ability to incorporate the limited partnership under private deed and the absence of cumbersome registration formalities allows the investment vehicle to be brought to market in less than a month.

No minimum capital requirement or minimum investment

The incorporation of the limited partnership does not impose any legal minimum capital, in contrast to Luxembourg private and public limited liability companies, making the limited partnership an attractive vehicle for venture capital investment. Furthermore, the LPA may permit subscriptions from all types of investor without minimum investment requirements.

Low launch costs of an SCSp

Unregulated status, the ability to incorporate the entity by private deed, and the absence of the requirement to appoint a depositary (except if the limited partnership qualifies as an AIF and is managed by an authorised or registered AIFM) make the limited partnership a less expensive option than other investment vehicles on the market.

Confidentiality 

The information to be published in the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register is limited to the name of the limited partnership, its duration, the unlimited partner and the managers, including their signatory powers. The identity of the limited partners does not have to be disclosed.

Compare two vehicles:

UCITSPart II UCIELTIFSIFSICARRAIFSPFSecuritisation vehicleUnregulated SCS/SCSpOrdinary Luxembourg company
Practical useHighly regulated vehicle which can be sold through a EU passport to all types of investors (such as retail investors, professional investors, institutional investors).Investment funds which could be used for investment strategies that do not meet the criteria set by the UCITS directives.EU marketing label for long-term investment funds, private equity funds, infrastructure funds, debt funds, funds of funds, sustainable finance, debt funds, co-investments, securitisation, debt funds, investments in fintechs, real assets.Hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, distressed debt funds, Islamic finance funds, microfinance funds, socially responsible investment funds, tangible assets funds and any other type of alternative funds.Private equity and venture capital transactions.Hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, distressed debt funds, Islamic finance funds, microfinance funds, socially responsible investment funds, tangible assets funds and any other type of alternative funds.Individuals wishing to optimise their personal tax planning (private wealth management purposes).• True sale and synthetic securitisations.
• Securitisation of a portfolio of securities.
• Securitisation as structure for intra group financing activities.
• Securitisation of non-performing loans.
• Securitisation of leasing receivables.
• Securitisation of both tangible and intangible assets.
• CLOs (possibility of active management).
Private equity, venture capital and real estate investments and any other alternative investments.Holding and financing activity, commercial activity, holding of IP, etc.
Applicable legislationLaw of 17 December 2010 - Part I (“UCITS Law”).Law of 17 December 2010 - Part II (“UCI Law”).
Regulation (EU) 2015/760 of 29 April 2015 on European long-term investment funds
(“ELTIF Regulation”).

The ELTIF Regulation has been amended on 15 March 2023 with significant changes which favour the fund market participants, fund financing and investors, in particular, the process of retailization and the amendments will apply from 10 January 2024. The ELTIF column has been drafted according to the amended ELTIF Regulation ("ELTIF 2 Regulation").
Law of 13 February 2007 (“SIF Law”).Law of 15 June 2004 (“SICAR Law”).Law of 23 July 2016 (“RAIF Law”).Law of 11 May 2007 (“SPF Law”).Law of 22 March 2004 (“Securitisation Law”).Law of 10 August 1915 (“Company Law”).Law of 10 August 1915 (“Company Law”).
Authorisation and supervision by the CSSFYes.Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes.Non.Non.No, unless issue on a continuous basis of financial instruments offered to the public. The securitisation vehicle issues on a continuous basis when it carries out more than three issuances of financial instruments offered to the public during the financial year. All the issuances by the compartments should be added up. The issuance of financial instruments is offered to the public when it is not intended for professional clients, the denominations are less than 100,000 euros and it is not distributed as private placement.Non.Non.
Qualification as an AIFNo.Always an AIF.Always an AIF.Yes, unless exempt. It is exempt if it does not raise capital from a number of investors, with a view to investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of those investors.Yes, unless exempt. It is exempt if it does not raise capital from a number of investors, with a view to investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of those investors.Always an AIF.In principle, no (as it would not be considered as “raising” capital from a number of investors as the structure generally serves for the investment of the private wealth of a “pre-existing group” (as defined in the Esma guidelines on key concepts of the AIFMD)).No, in case
• such vehicle meets the definition of “securitisation special purpose vehicle ” under the AIFM Law;
• it issues collateralised debt obligations;
• it only issues debt instruments;
• such entity is not managed according to an investment policy within the meaning of the AIFM Law.
Non-AIF, unless activities fall within the scope of article 1 (39) of the AIFM Law.Non-AIF, unless activities fall within the scope of article 1 (39) of the AIFM Law.
Exemption from AIFMD full regime under lighter regime (AIFMD registration regime)Not applicable.Possible.No.Possible.Possible.No.Not applicable.Possible.Possible.Possible.
External authorised AIFM requirementNot applicable.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed. Always an authorised EU AIFM.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.Always required.Not applicable.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.Required in case the entity is an AIF that is not self-managed and above the AIFMD threshold.
Eligible investorsUnrestricted.Unrestricted.Unrestricted.Well-informed investors.Well-informed investors.Well-informed investors.Restricted to:
• natural persons acting in the context of the management of their personal wealth;
• management entities acting solely in the interest of the private wealth (e.g. trusts, private foundations); and intermediaries acting for the account of the above mentioned eligible investors (e.g. bank acting under a fiduciary agreement).
Unrestricted.Unrestricted.Unrestricted.
Eligible assetsRestricted to transferable securities admitted or dealt on a regulated market, investment funds, financial derivative instruments, cash and money market instruments that are in compliance with article 41 of the Ucits law and the relevant EU directives and regulations. Please note that the eligibility of the asset must be ascertained on a case-by-case basis in view of the applicable laws and regulatory practice.Unrestricted. The investment objective and strategy of the fund is subject to the prior approval of the CSSF.Restricted to:

- equity or quasi-equity instruments and debt instruments issued by a qualifying portfolio undertaking;
-loans granted by the ELTIF to a qualifying portfolio undertaking with a maturity that does not exceed the life of the ELTIF,
- units or shares of one or several other ELTIFs, EuVECAs, EuSEFs, UCITS and EU AIFs managed by EU AIFM provided that those ELTIFs, EuVECAs, EuSEFs¸ UCITS and EU AIFs invest in eligible investments (this wording) and have not themselves invested more than 10% of their assets in any other UCI;
- real assets;
- certain STS securitisations (where the underlying exposures are residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial loans backed by mortgages on commercial immovable property, credit facilities, trade receivables and other underlying exposures; provided that, for the two last ones, the proceeds from the securitisation bonds are used for financing or refinancing long-term investments),
- EU Green Bonds issued by a qualifying portfolio, and UCITS eligible assets.

Qualifying portfolio undertaking is an undertaking that fulfils, at the time of the initial investment, the following requirements:
- it is not a financial undertaking undertaking, unless it is a financial undertaking, other than a financial holding company or a mixed-activity holding company, that has been authorized or registered more recently than 5 years before the date of the investment (fintechs);
- is not admitted to trading on a regulated market or on a multilateral trading facility; or is admitted to trading on a regulated market or on a multilateral trading facility and has a market capitalisation of no more than EUR 1 500 000 000;
- it is established in a Member State, or in a third country provided that the third country is not identified as high-risk third and is not mentioned in the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax prusposes.
ELTIFs are not allowed to:
- short sell
- take direct or indirect exposure to commodities;
- enter into securities lending, securities borrowing, repurchase transactions, or any other agreement which has an equivalent economic effect and poses similar risks, if more than 10 % of the assets of the ELTIF are affected;
- use financial derivative instruments, except where the use of such instruments solely serves the purpose of hedging the risks inherent to other investments of the ELTIF.
Unrestricted.Restricted to investments in securities representing risk capital. According to the CSSF Circular 06/241, investment in risk capital is to be understood as the direct or indirect contribution of assets to entities in view of their launch, their development or their listing on a stock exchange. The SICAR is not allowed to invest directly in real estate (except for its own use or through its participations).Unrestricted, unless it invests in a portfolio of risk capital (such as a Sicar).Restricted to acquisition, detention, management and realisation of financial assets. The SPF is not allowed to carry out commercial activities or to hold directly real estate (except for its own use or through its participations).Unrestricted. The securitisation vehicle may acquire or assume, directly or through another undertaking, risks relating to claims, other assets, or obligations assumed by third parties or inherent to all or part of the activities of third parties and issues financial instruments or contracts, for all or part of it, any type of loan, whose value or yield depends on such risks.Unrestricted.Unrestricted.
Risk diversification requirementsRisk diversification requirements are provided by articles 42 et seq. of the UCITS Law, e.g. (not exhaustive):
• a UCITS may not invest more than 10% of its assets in transferable securities or money market instruments issued by the same body;
• a UCITS may not invest more than 20% of its net assets in deposits made with the same body;
• the global exposure relating to derivative instruments does not exceed the total net value of the UCITS portfolio.
Risk diversification requirements are defined by IML Circular 91/75 (as amended by CSSF Circular n° 05/177). Such requirements are less stringent than the ones applicable to UCITS. In particular, a UCI is not allowed to invest more than 20% of its net assets in securities issued by any one issuer. Specific restrictions concerning funds adopting an alternative investment strategy are contained in CSSF Circular n° 02/80.Risk diversification requirements are provided by articles 13 and 17 of the ELITF Regulation (not exhaustive):

ELTIFs marketed to retail investors shall not invest more than:
- 20 % of its capital in instruments issued by, or loans granted to, any single qualifying portfolio undertaking;
- 20 % of its capital in a single real asset;
- 20 % of its capital in units or shares of any single ELTIF, EuVECA, EuSEF, UCITS, or EU AIF managed by an EU AIFM;
- 10 % of its capital in UCITS (liquid) assets where those assets have been issued by any single body; or 25 % where bonds are issued by a credit institution which has its registered office in a Member State and is subject by law to special public supervision designed to protect bond-holders;
- The aggregate value of STS Securitisations in an ELTIF portfolio shall not exceed 20% of the value of the capital of the ELTIF;
- The aggregate risk exposure to a counterparty of the ELTIF stemming from OTC derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, or reverse repurchase agreements shall not exceed 10 % of the value of the capital of the ELTIF.
Risk diversification requirements are defined by CSSF Circular n° 07/309. Such requirements are less stringent than the ones applicable to UCITS and UCI. In particular, a SIF is not allowed to invest more than 30% of its net assets in securities of the same type issued by the same issuer.No risk diversification requirements.Risk diversification requirements are aligned with those applicable to SIFs, unless the RAIF chooses to invest in risk capital only and such choice is mentioned in its constitutive documents.No risk
diversification
requirements.
No risk
diversification
requirements.
No risk diversification requirements.No risk diversification requirements.
Legal Form• FCP
• SICAV (SA)
• SICAF (SA,SCA)
All of these entities must be open-ended.
• FCP
• SICAV (SA)
• SICAF (SA, Sàrl, SCA, SCS, SCSp)
The entities may be open-ended or closed-ended.
• FCP, SICAV and SICAF in various legal forms, Soparfis, SCS, SCSp, SCA and future forms entitling an AIF to be authorized as an ELTIF.

In principle closed-ended, but may be open-ended provided certain safeguards are set up, inter alia:
- redemptions are not granted before the end of a minimum holding period or before the date specified in the rules or instruments of incorporation
- at the time of authorisation and throughout the life of the ELTIF, the manager is able to demonstrate that the ELTIF has an appropriate redemption policy and LMTs compatible with the long-term strategy of the ELTIF.
• FCP
• SICAV (SA, Sàrl, SCA, SCoSA, SCS, SCSp)
• SICAF (SA, Sàrl, SCA, SCoSA, SCS, SCSp)
The entities may be open-ended or closed-ended.
• SA
• Sàrl
• SCA
• SCS
• SCSp
• SCoSA
The entities may be open-ended or closed-ended.
• FCP
• SICAV (SA, Sàrl, SCA, SCoSA, SCS, SCSp)
• SICAF (SA, Sàrl, SCA, SCoSA, SCS, SCSp)
The entities may be open-ended or closed-ended.
• SA
• Sàrl
• SCA
• SCSA
A securitisation vehicle may be set up in one of the following forms:
• a securitisation company (SA, Sàrl, SCS, SCSp, SENC, SCA, SAS, SCSA); or
• a securitisation fund consisting of one or several co-ownerships or one or several fiduciary estates and managed by a management company.
• SCS
• SCSp
• SA, Sàrl, SCA
• SAS
• SCoSA
• SCS
• SCSp
Umbrella structureYes.Yes.Yes. Application for authorisation as ELTIF of one or more compartments may be submittedYes.Yes.Yes.No.Yes.No.No.
Capital requirements• FCP:
EUR 1,250,000 to be reached no later than 6 months following the authorisation by the CSSF.
• Self managed SICAV / SICAF:
EUR 300,000 at the date of authorisation and EUR 1,250,000 within 6 months following its authorisation.
• FCP:
EUR 1,250,000 to be reached no later than 12 months following the authorisation by the CSSF.
• Self managed SICAV / SICAF:
EUR 300,000 at the date of authorisation and EUR 1,250,000 within 12 months following its authorisation.
As ELTIF is an EU label, the capital requirements applicable to an ELTIF are the capital requirements applicable to fund, in particular due to the national product law.EUR 1,250,000 to be reached no later than 24 months following the authorisation by the CSSF. EUR 1,000,000 to be
reached no later than
24 months following
the auhorisation by
the CSSF.
• FCP:
EUR 1,250,000 to be reached within 24 months from the entry into force of the management regulations.
• SICAV:
EUR 1,250,000 to be reached within 24 months from the incorporation of the SICAV.
Depends on the form:
• SA / SCA: EUR 30,000
• Sàrl: EUR 12,000
• SCSA: no minimum capital.
If the securitisation vehicle is set up as a company, it depends on the form:
• SA / SCA: EUR 30,000
• Sàrl: EUR 12,000
If the securitisation vehicle is set up as a fund, there is no minimum capital requirement.
No minimum capital requirement.Depends on the form:
• SA / SCA: EUR 30,000
• Sàrl: EUR 12,000
No minimum capital requirement for other legal forms.
Required service providers• Management company in case of an FCP.
• Depositary institution.
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Approved statutory auditor.
• Management company in case of an FCP.
• Depositary institution.
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Approved statutory auditor.
• As ELTIF is an EU label, the required service providers for an ELTIF depend on the applicable national product law.
• Management company in case of an FCP.
• Depositary bank or professional of the financial sector providing depositary services, subject to conditions. However, if the ELTIF is marketed to retail investors, the Depositary shall comply with the UCITS depositary requirements and be a Depositary institution
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Other service providers required by the relevant product rules.
• Management company in case of an FCP.
• Depositary bank or professional of the financial sector providing depositary services, subject to conditions.
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Approved statutory auditor.
• Depositary bank or professional of the financial sector providing depositary services, subject to conditions.
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Approved statutory auditor.
• Management company in case of an FCP
• Depositary bank or professional of the financial sector providing depositary services, subject to conditions.
• Administrative agent.
• Registrar and Transfer Agent.
• Approved statutory auditor.
Registered auditor in principle not required unless two of the following criteria are met: (i) net turnover above EUR 8.8 million, (ii) balance sheet above EUR 4.4 million and (iii) average number of employees above 50. However, depending on the legal form of the company, there may be an obligation to appoint a commissaire aux comptes.• Alternative Investment Fund Manager (if the securitisation vehicle qualifies as an AIF).
• Management company (if the securitisation vehicle is set up in the form of a fund).
• Independent auditor.
• No depository institution (unless for regulated securisation vehicles).
• No administrative agent.
For SCS:
• Alternative Investment Fund Manager (if the SCS qualifies as an AIF).
• No requirement to appoint a depositary (except if the SCS qualifies as an AIF and is managed by a duly authorised AIFM).
For SCSp:
• Alternative Investment Fund Manager (if the SCSp qualifies as an AIF).
• No requirement to appoint a depositary (except if the SCSp qualifies as an AIF and is managed by a duly authorised AIFM).
Registered auditor in principle not required unless the company is an AIF managed by an AIFM with AUM above the threshold or two of the following criteria are met: (i) net turnover above EUR 8.8 million, (ii) balance sheet above EUR 4.4 million and (iii) average number of employees above 50. However, depending on the legal form of the company, there may be an obligation to appoint a commissaire aux comptes.
Possibility of listingYes.Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes, but difficult in practice.Yes.No.No. In principle, no. The SCS/SCSp may however issue debt securities that are eligible to be listed on the stock exchange.Yes.
European passportYes.No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.Yes.No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.Yes.No.
No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.No, unless it falls under the scope of the full AIFMD regime.
Net asset value (NAV) calculation and redemption frequencyThe UCITS must make public the issue, sale and repurchase price of their units each time they issue, sell and repurchase their units, and at least twice a month.The UCIs must make public the issue, sale and repurchase price of their units each time they issue, sell and repurchase their units, and at least once a month.The UCIs must make public the issue, sale and repurchase price of their units each time they issue, sell and repurchase their units, and at least once a month. As ELTIF is an EU label, the NAV computation and redemption frequency depend on applicable national product law and the AIFM law.
At least once a year for reporting purposes.
Redemption frequency: In principle closed-ended, but may be open-ended provided certain safeguards are set up, inter alia:
- redemptions are not granted before the end of a minimum holding period or before the date specified in the rules or instruments of incorporation
- at the time of authorisation and throughout the life of the ELTIF, the manager is able to demonstrate that the ELTIF has an appropriate redemption policy and LMTs compatible with the long-term strategy of the ELTIF;
- redemptions are limited to a percentage of the UCITS (liquid) assets of the ELTIF.
An ELTIF may offer, under certain conditions, early redemption rights to its investors according to the ELTIF's investment strategy.
At least once a year for reporting purposes.Not required. At least once a year for reporting purposes.Not required. Not required. Not required.Not required.
Overall income tax (corporate income tax and municipal business tax)No income tax.No income tax.As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.No income tax.• General aggregate rate: 24.94%.
In certain cases, reduced corporate income tax rates may apply. Income derived from transferable securities (e.g. dividends received and capital gains realised on the sale of shares) is exempt. Income on cash held for the purpose of a future investment is also exempt (for one year).
No income tax, unless investing only in risk capital, then SICAR tax regime applicable.No income tax.• General aggregate rate for taxable securisation companies: 24.94%.
Securitisation vehicles should be able to deduct from their gross profits their operational costs and the dividends or interests distributed to the shareholders/creditors. Therefore securitisation companies should not generate significant taxable profits and should therefore to a large extent be tax neutral.
No corporate income tax applicable. Municipal business tax of 6.75% applicable in very limited circumstances, namely in case the SCS/SCSp (i) carries out a commercial activity or (ii) is deemed to carry out a commercial activity. A SCS/SCSp is deemed to carry out a commercial activity if its general partner is a Luxembourg public or private limited liability company holding at least 5% of the partnership interests. With a proper structuring of the GPs partnership interest it should be possible to avoid the deemed commercial characterisation of the SCS/SCSp.General aggregate
rate: 24.94%, but
100% exemption for
dividends, liquidation
proceeds and capital
gains from qualifying
participations.
Subscription tax (NAV: net asset value)• Rate: 0.05% of the NAV annually.
• Reduction: 0.01% of the NAV annually in certain specific cases.
• Where the proportion of net assets of a UCITS or one of its compartments in certain Taxonomy-sustainable activities represents at least 5 per cent of the aggregate net assets of the UCITS or of its relevant compartment, the subscription tax rate is 0.04 per cent. Where the proportion of such assets is at least 20 per cent, this rate amounts to 0.03 per cent. Where the proportion is at least 35 %, the subscription tax rate amounts to 0.02 per cent. Where the proportion is at least 50 per cent, this rate amounts to 0.01 per cent. However, net assets in nuclear energy and fossil gaseous fuel are excluded from such decreased rates.
• Tax exemptions: special institutional money market cash funds, special pension funds (including pension pooling vehicles) and funds investing in other funds which are already subject to subscription tax.
• Rate: 0.05% of the NAV annually.
• Reduction: 0.01% of the NAV annually in certain specific cases.
• Where the proportion of net assets of a UCITS or one of its compartments in certain Taxonomy-sustainable activities represents at least 5 per cent of the aggregate net assets of the UCITS or of its relevant compartment, the subscription tax rate is 0.04 per cent. Where the proportion of such assets is at least 20 per cent, this rate amounts to 0.03 per cent. Where the proportion is at least 35 %, the subscription tax rate amounts to 0.02 per cent. Where the proportion is at least 50 per cent, this rate amounts to 0.01 per cent. However, net assets in nuclear energy and fossil gaseous fuel are excluded from such decreased rates.
• Tax exemptions: special institutional money market cash funds, special pension funds (including pension pooling vehicles) and funds investing in other funds which are already subject to subscription tax.
As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.• Rate: 0.01% of the NAV annually.
• Tax exemptions: certain money market and pension funds or SIFs investing in other funds which are already subject to subscription tax.
No subscription tax.• Rate: 0.01% of the NAV annually.
• Exemptions apply.
Annual subscription tax of 0.25% on the amount of paid up capital and issue premium (if any).No subscription tax.No subscription tax.No subscription tax.
Wealth taxNo wealth tax.No wealth tax.As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.No wealth tax.No wealth tax.No wealth tax.No wealth tax.No wealth tax.No wealth tax.0.5% on the NAV on 1 January. Since 2017, this minimum net wealth tax for holding and finance companies (known as the Soparfis)—the fixed financial assets, intercompany loans, transferable securities and cash at bank of which exceed both 90% of their gross assets and EUR 350,000—is fixed at EUR 4,815 per year. The minimum net wealth tax for all other corporations has not changed; in other words, it is EUR 535 for companies with a total balance sheet up to EUR 350,000.
Withholding tax on dividendsNot subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.Not subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.Not subject to withholding tax.Dividends distributed by a Luxembourg company are in principle subject to withholding tax at a rate of 15%, unless a domestic law exemption or a lower tax treaty rate applies.
Benefit from Double Tax Treaty network• SICAV/SICAF: Limited to certain double tax treaties (see circular L.G. -A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017).
• FCP: see circular L.G.-A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017.
• SICAV/SICAF: Limited to certain double tax treaties (see circular L.G. -A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017).
• FCP: see circular L.G.-A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017.
As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.• SICAV/SICAF: Limited to certain double tax treaties (see circular L.G. -A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017).
• FCP: see circular L.G.-A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017.
Yes in case the SICAR is set-up as a corporate entity (except if set-up under the form of a SCS/SCSp).• RAIFs investing in a portfolfio of risk capital (such as a SICAR)
Access if set-up as a corporate entity (except if set-up under the form of a SCS/SCSp).
• RAIFs not investing in a portfolio of risk capital (such as a SICAR), but set-up as:
SICAV / SICAF: Limited to certain double tax treaties (see circular L.G. -A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017).
FCP: see circular L.G.-A n°61 of the tax administration of 8 December 2017.
No.Yes for securitisation
companies.
No.Yes.
Benefit from the EU Parent Subsidiary DirectiveNo.No.As ELTIF is an EU label the tax treatment depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.No.In principle yes, but certain jurisdictions where the target companies are located may challenge the application of the directive.No, unless RAIF that invests in a portfolio of risk capital (such as a SICAR).No.Yes.No.Yes.
Thin capitalization rules (debt-toequity ratio)Borrowings of up to 10% of net assets to finance redemptions (it should be a short term borrowing and cannot be for investment purposes) or to buy real estate for its business. The total borrowing under the above may not exceed 15% of net assets.Borrowings of up to 25% of net assets without any restrictions are allowed.As ELTIF is an EU label, the debt-to-equity ratio depends on the national product rules applicable to the AIF.
Borrowings of cash of up to 50% of the NAV of the ELTIF marketed to retail investors and up to 100% for the ELTIF marketed solely to professional investors.
No debt-to-equity ratio.No debt-to-equity ratio.No debt-to-equity ratio.Tax of 0.25% on the debt that exceeds 8 times the paid-up capital increased by the issue premium.No debt-to-equity ratio.No debt-to-equity ratio.No provision in Luxembourg law. However, there is a specific administrative practice.

 

Our team:

  • supports you in finding the suitable vehicle to meet your requirements and your goals from a marketing, regulatory, legal and tax perspective;
  • introduces you to the suitable service providers, including custodian banks, authorised AIFMs, fund administrators, registrar and transfer agents and auditors, to meet your requirements;
  • provides assistance with the establishment of the (master) vehicle (i.e. drafting of the LPA, drafting and deposit of the extract of the LPA with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register, etc.), carried interest SCSp, co-investment SCSp and SPVs;
  • provides corporate support services throughout the lifetime of your vehicle, including amendment of fund documents and restructurings;
  • assists with the regulatory filing with the CSSF relating to the registration of the GP as external AIFM;
  • review of side letters;
  • provides advice on AIFMD-related issues;
  • provides advice to sponsors on local private placement rules for marketing their vehicle in Luxembourg;
  • keeps you up to date on new legal and regulatory developments.