Minimum share capital for professional handball 2026: €310,793.27 for SAD

Key data

Professional handball clubs operating under the legal form of Sports Limited Company have a new reference figure for 2026: €310,793.27. This amount, published by the Presidency of the Higher Council of Sports on August 3, 2026, determines the minimum required share capital in accordance with article 3.2.a) of the Royal Decree 1251/1999, on Sports Limited Companies.

The update is annual and requires clubs to periodically review their financial situation to maintain regulatory compliance and, with it, their right to participate in professional competitions.

What does this regulation establish?

The Royal Decree 1251/1999 regulates Sports Limited Companies and establishes, in article 3.2.a), that clubs participating in professional competitions must accredit a minimum share capital. This amount is not fixed: it is updated each year by resolution of the Higher Council of Sports, based on the average expenses of clubs and SAD participating in the corresponding professional competition.

For professional handball competition, the calculation methodology is as follows:

• The CSD collects expense data from all clubs and SAD participating in professional competition.
• The average of those expenses is calculated.
• The reference figure is equivalent to 25% of that average.
• Before publication, the resolution requires a prior report from the Association of Spanish Handball Clubs.

The result for 2026 is €310,793.27. This figure acts as the minimum threshold of share capital that must appear in the bylaws and be effectively paid by the SAD to comply with the legal requirements for establishment and maintenance of its legal form.

Economic and operational impact

The figure of €310,793.27 is not just an accounting figure: it has direct consequences on the club's operations and legal viability as a SAD.

• Minimum required share capital: The club must accredit that its share capital is not below this figure. If it is, it must proceed with a capital increase.
• Annual mandatory review: As it is updated each year, clubs cannot assume that the previous year's figure remains valid. Each season requires verification.
• Risk of disqualification: Non-compliance with this requirement may have consequences on the club's eligibility to participate in professional competitions, which represents a first-order operational and reputational risk.
• Financial planning: Club managers and CFOs must incorporate this review into their annual financial calendar, coordinating with the legal department to ensure that the financial situation meets the current threshold.

The annual update means that the figure can go up or down depending on the evolution of average expenses in the competition. Clubs with share capital adjusted to the previous minimum must pay special attention to each new resolution.

Who does it affect?

• Professional handball clubs operating under the legal form of Sports Limited Company (SAD) in Spain.
• Directors and boards of directors of professional handball SAD, responsible for ensuring compliance with minimum share capital.
• CFOs and financial directors of clubs, who must incorporate this review into their annual financial planning.
• Legal advisors and auditors providing services to professional sports entities.
• Clubs in the process of transformation into SAD or in the establishment phase as a new sports limited company for professional handball.

Practical example

Suppose a handball club that has just been promoted to professional competition must be established as a SAD to be able to participate in it. Upon reviewing its bylaws, it finds that the planned share capital was €280,000, a figure that fell below the threshold in force in previous years.

With the publication of the Resolution of July 22, 2026, the reference figure is set at €310,793.27. The club must increase its share capital by at least €30,793.27 to meet the minimum legal requirement before obtaining eligibility to compete in the professional category.

This same exercise must be performed by any already established SAD whose share capital has fallen below the new threshold, either due to accumulated losses or failure to carry out capital increases in previous years.

What should clubs do now?

1. Verify current share capital: Review the bylaws and balance sheet of the SAD to verify that the paid-in share capital is equal to or greater than €310,793.27.
2. Compare with the previous figure: If the reference figure has increased from the previous year, assess whether the current share capital remains sufficient or has fallen below the new threshold.
3. Plan a capital increase if necessary: In case of a deficit, initiate the capital increase process with sufficient advance notice to avoid compromising participation in professional competition.
4. Coordinate with legal counsel and audit: Confirm with legal advisors and the auditor that the financial situation complies with the requirements of article 3.2.a) of Royal Decree 1251/1999 with the new published figure.
5. Incorporate the review into the annual financial calendar: Establish an internal process to review this figure each time the CSD publishes the corresponding annual resolution, avoiding non-compliance due to outdated information.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16904