Inheritance Law · Europe
Inherit Foreign Property Without Getting Lost in Two Legal Systems
Inheriting a house, flat or land in another country means dealing with that country’s succession law, land registry and tax office — often alongside the law of your own. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who handles cross-border property inheritance in the country where the property sits.
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Who this is for
A holiday home or an overseas flat is an asset — but it is also a legal problem in a foreign language
Inheriting real estate located in another country is more complicated than inheriting money, because property is governed by the law of the country where it is situated. That means the succession rules, the documents required to transfer title, the land-registry formalities and any local taxes all follow the foreign country’s system, even if the deceased’s will was written elsewhere and you live in another state. Common situations include inheriting a holiday home in Spain, Portugal or France, a family property in Italy, or an investment flat in Germany or the Netherlands. The process typically requires proving your heirship to the local authorities, obtaining the correct valuation, paying any succession tax due there, and then registering the property in your name. We match you with a lawyer who handles property inheritance in the country where the property is located, so title passes correctly.
Why foreign property stalls
Foreign property inheritance is rarely one process.
It is several, in different countries and languages.
Each country’s land registry, notary and tax office has its own requirements — and a missing document in one of them can block the whole transfer.
Two legal systems at once
The deceased’s will may be governed by one country’s law while the property itself is governed by another. Reconciling the two — and knowing which rules actually apply to the land — is where heirs most often go wrong.
Local title formalities
Transferring a property into your name requires the specific documents, notarial deeds and registry filings of the country where it sits. Foreign-language formalities and unfamiliar procedures are easy to get wrong without local help.
Tax and valuation abroad
Inheriting foreign property can trigger succession tax and, later, capital-gains tax in the country where the property is located. The correct valuation and any reliefs must be handled locally, often within strict deadlines.
What you get
A lawyer in the country where the property actually is
We only match you with lawyers who practise in the country where the property is located and handle property inheritance there regularly.
Title transferred correctly
Your lawyer handles the deeds, registry filings and notarial steps required to move the property into your name, all in accordance with the local law of that country.
Two systems reconciled
Where a foreign will meets local property law, your lawyer works out which rules actually govern the land and makes sure both are satisfied without any conflict between them.
Local tax handled
Succession tax and any valuation requirements in the country where the property sits are identified and managed properly, with every available relief claimed where it applies.
Everything in one place
Rather than coordinating agents, notaries and tax offices yourself across borders, a single local lawyer manages the entire process end to end on your behalf.
Coverage
Foreign property inheritance lawyers across Europe
Property succession follows the law of the country where the property is located. We match foreign property inheritance cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Foreign property inheritance — common questions
Which country’s law governs inherited foreign property?
Real estate is generally governed by the law of the country where it is located, even if the deceased lived elsewhere or made a will under another law. However, the overall succession may follow different rules, and the interaction between the two can be complex — local advice is usually essential.
What documents do I need to inherit property abroad?
Typically a certificate or declaration of heirship, the deceased’s will, proof of identity and relationship, a local valuation of the property and, in many countries, a notarial deed. The exact list is set by the country where the property sits, and a local lawyer can assemble it correctly.
Will I pay tax on inherited foreign property?
Inheriting property abroad commonly triggers succession tax in the country where the property is located, and there may be further tax on a later sale. The rules, rates and reliefs vary widely, and your own country may also have a claim — so cross-border tax advice is important.
Can I inherit property in a country where I do not live?
Yes. You do not generally need to be resident in a country to inherit property there, but you will need to comply with its succession, registry and tax formalities, and may need local representation or a local bank account for tax purposes. A local lawyer can guide you through this.
What if the property was co-owned or mortgaged?
Co-ownership, outstanding mortgages and other charges add layers to a foreign inheritance. Your lawyer will establish the deceased’s actual share, deal with the lender or co-owners, and ensure the title you receive is clear of unexpected obligations.
How long does inheriting foreign property take?
It depends on the country, the complexity of the estate and whether the property must be valued, taxed and re-registered. Delays are common when documents are incomplete or several jurisdictions are involved. A local lawyer can usually move the process faster than an heir working alone.
Free case review
Transfer the title properly, the first time
Tell us where the property is and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who handles property inheritance in that country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.