Cross-border inheritance: foreigners with assets in Spain
We handle in Spain the estates of foreign property owners and draft wills for those who want everything settled in advance: applicable law, documents, the notarial deed, taxes and registration, in your language and without the heirs having to travel.
Tell us about your caseWho we act for
Heirs living outside Spain
Children, spouses or relatives of a foreign owner who need to accept the estate, release the bank accounts and decide what to do with the property.
Foreigners resident in Spain
If you live here, your estate will in principle be governed by Spanish law, including forced heirship, unless your will chooses the law of your nationality.
Non-resident owners
Owners of a home in Spain who want to spare their family months of formalities with a Spanish will coordinated with the one at home.
Families with assets in several countries
Estates with property, accounts or companies in different countries, where lawyers, notaries and deadlines must be coordinated.
Why it is not an ordinary estate
Since 17 August 2015, Regulation (EU) 650/2012 applies the law of the deceased's last habitual residence, unless their will chose the law of their nationality. Add foreign documents that must arrive apostilled and translated, an inheritance tax due within six months of death, and very different regional rules that non-resident heirs are also entitled to apply. We explain it in detail in our guide to inheriting a property in Spain as a foreigner.
How we work, stage by stage
Assessment
We establish the applicable law, the assets in Spain, the heirs and an estimate of the tax, and set the timetable, including an extension of the tax deadline where needed.
Documents and powers of attorney
Death, last will and life insurance certificates in Spain and abroad, the European Certificate of Succession where applicable, apostilles, sworn translations, NIEs and the heirs' powers of attorney.
Inheritance deed
We prepare and sign, on the heirs' behalf, the acceptance and allocation of the estate before a Spanish notary, and evidence the foreign law where required.
Taxes, registration and beyond
Inheritance tax under the applicable regional rules, municipal land value tax, the deceased's outstanding taxes, Land Registry registration, release of bank accounts and, if desired, the sale of the property.
A Spanish will for foreign property owners
If you own assets in Spain, a Spanish will for those assets, coordinated with your will at home and with an express choice of law, is the most valuable document you can leave your family: it removes uncertainty about which law applies and shortens the process by months. We prepare it together with a review of how the property is held, explained on our property investment for non-residents page.
Why Satya Legal
Your language
We work in English, Spanish, German, French and Italian, and coordinate with your family's advisers at home.
No need to travel
With a power of attorney from your country, we handle the whole process in Spain and keep you informed at every step.
Fixed fee by stage
Before we start you know what each stage includes and what it costs. No open-ended hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which law applies to the estate of a foreigner with assets in Spain?
As a rule, the law of their last habitual residence, unless their will chose the law of their nationality (Regulation (EU) 650/2012). If they lived in Spain and made no choice, Spanish law applies, including forced heirship.
Do the heirs need to travel to Spain?
No. A power of attorney signed before a notary in their country, apostilled and translated, or at the Spanish consulate is enough.
How long is there to file the Spanish inheritance tax?
Six months from the date of death, extendable to twelve if the extension is requested within the first five months, with late-payment interest.
Is a will made in another country valid in Spain?
Generally yes, if it is formally valid, but it must be apostilled and translated and the foreign law often has to be evidenced. A Spanish will for the Spanish assets makes the process much simpler.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the assets, the number of heirs and the applicable law. After a free first consultation we send you a fixed fee proposal by stage.
The sooner, the more options
The first few weeks decide whether the tax is filed on time and under the right rules. One call is enough to put the case in order.
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