Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Inherit Property in Europe Without Losing It to Procedure
Inheriting a home or land raises questions of succession law, title transfer, forced heirship and cross-border tax — and they rarely answer themselves. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted inheritance lawyer who handles property succession across Europe every day.
- Succession & title transfer
- Cross-border estate & tax aware
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Inheriting property is rarely as simple as receiving the keys
When a home, plot of land or holiday property passes to you, a chain of legal steps has to be completed before the asset is truly yours: establishing who inherits under the will or the law, paying any inheritance tax that falls due, and transferring the title into your name in the land registry of the country where the property sits. Each of these steps is governed by national rules that differ sharply across Europe — including forced-heirship regimes that reserve part of an estate to certain relatives, and taxes that depend on where the deceased lived and where the property is located. If the estate spans more than one country, different laws may compete over the same asset. A property inheritance lawyer guides you through the process, confirms your actual entitlement, and handles the paperwork and registrations so the transfer is completed correctly.
Why heirs get stuck
The property is left to you.
The legal transfer is not automatic.
Between the will, the tax office and the land registry sit steps that can stall an inheritance for months or years.
Unclear who is entitled
Forced-heirship rules in many European countries reserve a share of an estate to children or a surviving spouse regardless of what the will says — so the person who receives the keys may not be the only one with a legal claim.
Inheritance tax before you inherit
Most countries tax the transfer of property to heirs, with rates and allowances that depend on the relationship and the jurisdiction. Paying too much, or failing to file on time, can cost more than the property is worth to you.
Title that never gets registered
The property remains in the deceased’s name until the inheritance is formally accepted and recorded in the land registry — a step heirs routinely miss, leaving the asset frozen and unsellable for years.
What you get
An inheritance lawyer who completes the transfer properly
We match you with lawyers who handle property succession, tax and title registration in the country where the asset sits.
Entitlement confirmed
Your lawyer establishes exactly who inherits under the will and the applicable law, identifies any forced-heirship claims, and tells you the true position before any money or property moves.
Tax handled correctly
Inheritance tax returns are prepared and filed within the applicable deadlines, with the correct allowances applied, so you do not overpay or face penalties for a late declaration.
Title transfer completed
From accepting the inheritance to registering your name in the land registry, your lawyer manages the formalities so the property is legally and fully yours — and can be sold or mortgaged.
Cross-border guidance
Where an estate touches more than one country, your lawyer clarifies which law applies to the property, resolves any conflicting claims, and coordinates the entire process across those jurisdictions.
Coverage
Property inheritance lawyers across Europe
Succession law, forced-heirship rules and inheritance tax are set nationally, so the right lawyer practises where the property or the deceased’s estate is located. We match cases across:
Frequently asked
Property inheritance — common questions
What happens to property when someone dies without a will?
The property passes according to the intestacy rules of the country whose law applies to the estate. Those rules set a fixed order of heirs — typically a spouse and children first — and may differ sharply from what the deceased would have wanted. A lawyer confirms who is entitled in your specific situation.
What is forced heirship?
In several European legal systems, a portion of an estate is reserved by law for certain relatives, commonly children or a surviving spouse, and cannot be freely given away by will. The rules vary by country, and an inheritance lawyer can explain how they affect a particular estate.
Do I have to pay inheritance tax on property I inherit?
In most European countries, yes — the transfer of property to heirs is typically taxable, though rates, exemptions and allowances depend on the jurisdiction and your relationship to the deceased. Your lawyer identifies the correct treatment and files the required declaration on time.
How long does it take to transfer inherited property?
The timeframe depends on the country, the complexity of the estate, and whether inheritance tax must be settled first. Delays are common when heirs disagree or when the necessary declarations are not filed. A lawyer manages each step to keep the transfer moving.
Can I refuse an inheritance?
In many jurisdictions, yes — an heir may decline an inheritance, for example where the estate carries more debts than assets. The option and its deadline vary by country, and declining is usually irrevocable once made, so it should be considered carefully with legal advice.
Which country’s law applies to an inherited property?
The answer depends on factors such as where the deceased lived and where the property is located, and European rules on succession aim to give a single governing law for the estate. Where several countries are involved, a lawyer clarifies which rules control the property in question.
Free case review
Take the property that was left to you — properly
Tell us about the estate and the property, and we’ll connect you with an inheritance lawyer who practises in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to instruct.