Symmetry and decoupling in multi Higgs models

We study the scalar sector of the most general multi Higgs doublet model satisfying explicitly an exact symmetry. We prove that such a model will exhibit decoupling if and only if the vacuum also satisfies the same symmetry. This general property is also shown independently and explicitly for three Higgs doublet models, by considering in detail all symmetry-constrained models and their possible vacua. We also discuss some specific characteristics of different decoupling patterns.