Calificado como el segundo mayor centro de fondos del mundo, tras Estados Unidos, Luxemburgo se ha convertido en esencial cuando se trata del sector de los fondos de inversión alternativos.
Luxembourg provides a platform of services and structuring opportunities to the private equity as well as the venture capital industry. Luxembourg also provides investment vehicles such as the RAIF, SICAR, and SIF. Besides those vehicles, Luxembourg provides other types of commercial companies, such as the SCS (simple Limited Partnership) and the SCSp (special Limited Partnership), which are not subject to any specific regulatory framework but qualify as AIF.
The société en commandite simple (SCS) or société en commandite spéciale (SCSp), known as ‘Lux LPs’ (the Luxembourg Partnerships) are formed under the law of 10 August 1915 as onshore fund vehicles or co-investment vehicles and can qualify as an alternative investment fund (AIF). Related: Glencore Avrupa’nın en büyük batarya depolama. Learn more about Leapher Yachts gjør en storslått inngang med en.
Características de los SCS y SCSp luxemburgueses
| Utilización práctica del SCS y del SCSp | Pueden utilizarse para estructuras master-feeder, como vehículo de adquisición o para empresas conjuntas, pero su uso más habitual es para inversiones de capital privado, capital riesgo e inmobiliarias. |
| Legislación aplicable | Ley de Sociedades de 10.08.1915, modificada |
| Inversores elegibles | Sin restricciones. |
| Activos elegibles | Sin restricciones. Cualquier tipo de activo. |
| Forma jurídica | simple partnership (société en commandite simple – SCS) or a special limited partnership (société en commandite spéciale – SCSp) |
| Requisitos de diversificación del riesgo | No hay requisitos de diversificación de riesgos. |
| Capital | No hay capital mínimo obligatorio. Se permite la contribución en especie y/o en metálico. |
| Compartimentos/Subfondos | No |
| Régimen fiscal | SCS y SCSp son entidades fiscalmente transparentes y no están sujetas al impuesto de sociedades (CIT) en Luxemburgo, su actividad puede considerarse comercial y, por tanto, estar sujeta al impuesto municipal de actividades económicas de Luxemburgo (a un tipo del 6,75% en Luxemburgo) si ejercen efectivamente una actividad comercial o si su actividad está contaminada comercialmente. Están exentos del impuesto de suscripción y del impuesto sobre el patrimonio, y no están sujetos a retención fiscal. |
| Beneficiarse de la red de convenios para evitar la doble imposición | No. Due to its tax transparent status, SCSs and SCSps cannot utilise Luxembourg’s vast double taxation treaty network |
| Benefíciese de la Directiva de la UE sobre matrices y filiales | Como entidades fiscalmente transparentes, la SCS y la SCSp no pueden beneficiarse de la Directiva sobre matrices y filiales de la UE. |
| Autorización y supervisión de la CSSF | No (No se requiere la aprobación o supervisión reglamentaria de la CSSF) |
| Posibilidad de incluir en la lista | Sí, (pero sin oferta pública) |
| Pasaporte europeo | No FIA, salvo actividades incluidas en el ámbito de aplicación del artículo 1 (39) de la Ley de GFIA |
| Gestión | Por el socio colectivo o un gestor externo (es decir, un GFIA) |
| Proveedores de servicios luxemburgueses requeridos | GFIA (Gestor de fondos de inversión alternativos ) El depositario no es necesario a menos que la entidad en cuestión se considere un FIA, que no sea un FIA de minimis. |
Desde hace años, las sociedades luxemburguesas son el vehículo de referencia para las estructuras de fondos privados, ya que ofrecen comprensión al inversor, libertad frente a las anulaciones del derecho de sociedades, responsabilidad limitada y un régimen fiscal generalmente más satisfactorio.
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Use Luxembourg société en commandite simple (SCS) or société en commandite spéciale (SCSp) — legal features, formation, governance, partners’ liability, accounts, and tax neutrality in private equity, venture capital, and real assets.
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Essentials in plain words
Both SCS and SCSp are Luxembourg limited partnerships under the law of 10 August 1915. An SCS has legal personality. An SCSp does not. In practice, each can host private equity, venture capital, real estate, and co-investment strategies with flexible terms agreed in a limited partnership agreement (LPA). Governance is set by the general partner (GP) and any managers named in the LPA. Limited partners (LPs) are liable up to their commitment, provided they do not take part in management beyond permitted actions.
What to prepare for formation and onboarding
- Partners list, GP identity and powers; draft LPA with economics, allocations, and transfers.
- Name, registered office in Luxembourg, object, duration, commitments, capital accounts.
- UBO chart and beneficial owner filing (as required by law and applicable practice).
- Registered address and local notices; RCS registration and, where applicable, AIFM arrangements.
- Banking details for capital calls and distributions; expected cash flows and jurisdictions.
- Auditor and depositary only where required by fund rules or AIFM thresholds.
SCS vs SCSp at a glance
| Topic | SCS (société en commandite simple) | SCSp (société en commandite spéciale) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal personality | Has legal personality. | No legal personality; acts through GP or managers named in LPA. |
| Governing law | Law of 10 August 1915, as amended. | Law of 10 August 1915, as amended (contractual flexibility is prominent). |
| Partners | ≥1 GP (unlimited liability) and ≥1 LP (limited to commitment). | Same partner structure; liability principles align with the LPA and law. |
| LPA freedom | High flexibility; statutory rules still apply. | Very high flexibility; many points are purely contractual. |
| Accounts | Light reporting; commercial activity may influence obligations. | Light reporting; commercial activity may influence obligations. |
| Regulatory status | Unregulated vehicle; may be an AIF depending on setup. | Unregulated vehicle; may be an AIF depending on setup. |
| Depositary | Required only if the partnership is an AIF above de-minimis thresholds. | Same approach. |
| Tax profile | Typically tax transparent; municipal business tax can apply if commercially active. | Typically tax transparent; municipal business tax can apply if commercially active. |
| Treaty/Directive access | As transparent entities, treaty/Directive benefits are generally not available at entity level. | Same approach. |
| Use cases | PE/VC, acquisitions, co-investments, joint ventures, real assets. | Same, with broad LPA-driven customisation. |
Set-up in practice
- Choose the partnership type. Align legal personality needs and investor expectations.
- Draft the LPA and GP terms. Capital commitments, allocations, carry, transfers, conflicts, and governance.
- Register and disclose. RCS filing; beneficial owner disclosures as applicable.
- Service providers. Administrator, registrar, auditor as needed; AIFM/depositary if in scope.
- Open accounts and call capital. Document source of funds; configure controls and signatory rules.
Timing and costs
- Drafting and filings proceed quickly when documents are complete and decisions are recorded clearly.
- Ongoing costs reflect administration, annual filings, and—if relevant—AIFM, depositary, and audit.
- Bank onboarding time varies by partners’ profiles, flows, and jurisdictions involved.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Does an SCS have legal personality?
Does an SCSp have legal personality?
What is the minimum number of partners?
Can the LPA override default rules?
How is liability allocated?
Are these partnerships tax transparent?
Do SCS or SCSp benefit from tax treaties?
Is a depositary always required?
Is an auditor mandatory?
How are accounts and filings handled?
Can limited partners lend to the partnership?
May partnership interests be represented by instruments?
Can an SCSp own assets in practice if it has no personality?
What happens if LPs participate in management?
Is a notarial deed required?
How quickly can an SCSp or SCS be registered?
Can the partnership be structured as an AIF?
Are compartments or sub-funds available?
Can interests be listed?
What sectors and strategies fit best?

























