Tax Law · European Union
Plan Your Inheritance Tax Before It Becomes Someone Else’s Problem
When an estate passes on, inheritance and succession taxes can take a substantial share — and the rules on who owes what, where and at what rate are some of the most complex in tax law. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted tax lawyer who handles inheritance and succession cases in the relevant country, so you and your heirs are prepared.
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Who this is for
What your heirs inherit is often less than what you left
Inheritance and succession taxes apply when an estate passes to heirs, and in many European countries the amount owed depends not just on the value of the assets but on who inherits them — spouses and direct descendants typically enjoy larger allowances or lower rates than more distant relatives or non-relatives. The country that taxes the estate can also be a surprise: rules may turn on where the deceased was resident, where assets are located, or a combination of both, and cross-border estates can face competing claims from more than one state. Add in forced-heirship rules and the timing of a transfer, and planning well in advance is usually the difference between a smooth succession and a costly, drawn-out one. A specialist can map your real exposure and the lawful ways to reduce it.
Why families pay more than they need to
Inheritance tax is decided by relationships, location and timing.
Not just by the size of the estate.
Allowances, heir categories and cross-border claims all move the bill — and they are usually discovered too late.
Heirs taxed at the wrong rate
A spouse or child usually pays far less than a distant relative or a friend, and getting the relationship category wrong — or not claiming an allowance — can double or triple the bill.
Unclear which country taxes the estate
Residency, location of assets and the interaction of two countries’ rules can all decide who taxes what, and cross-border estates frequently face competing claims that need a treaty or credit to resolve.
Planning left until it is too late
Allowances, gifts during lifetime and the structure of ownership can reduce inheritance tax substantially, but most options must be put in place well before the estate is settled.
What you get
A tax lawyer who plans and settles succession properly
We only match you with tax lawyers who handle inheritance, succession and cross-border estate cases in the relevant country.
Estate exposure assessment
Your lawyer maps what the estate is worth, which country taxes it, and how much each heir would owe under the current rules — so you see the real picture, not a guess.
Succession planning
Allowances, lifetime gifts, ownership structure and timing are reviewed together to put lawful arrangements in place that genuinely reduce what your heirs will eventually pay.
Cross-border estate coordination
Where assets or heirs span countries, your lawyer reconciles the competing rules and applies any treaty or credit so the estate is not taxed twice.
Probate & declaration support
When the time comes, your lawyer helps the family value the estate, file the required declarations and settle the tax correctly, keeping the process moving.
Coverage
Inheritance tax lawyers across Europe
Succession and inheritance rules are strictly national, so the right lawyer is one who works with the relevant country’s tax authority and, where needed, its treaty network. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Inheritance tax — common questions
Who actually pays inheritance tax?
Usually the heirs pay, based on the share of the estate each receives, though the design varies by country — some levy a tax on the estate itself and others on each beneficiary. The amount typically depends on the relationship to the deceased, with spouses and children commonly paying less than distant relatives.
Which country taxes an inheritance?
This depends on factors such as where the deceased was resident, where the assets are located and the rules of each country involved. In cross-border estates more than one state may claim the right to tax, and a tax treaty or domestic credit is often needed to prevent double taxation.
Are spouses and children taxed less on inheritance?
In most countries yes — spouses and direct descendants generally receive larger allowances or lower rates than siblings, nieces, nephews or non-relatives. The exact relief varies by country, so confirming the applicable category and allowance is essential to calculating the real liability.
Can I reduce inheritance tax during my lifetime?
Often yes, through measures such as lifetime gifts, the way assets are held, and the timing and structure of transfers, all of which may reduce the eventual bill. These arrangements usually need to be made well in advance and in line with each country’s rules, so early planning matters.
What happens with a cross-border estate?
Assets or heirs spread across countries can trigger claims from more than one state, and reconciling them requires working out where each asset is taxed and applying any treaty or credit. A lawyer experienced in cross-border succession can prevent the estate being taxed twice and keep the process efficient.
What should I do when I inherit property abroad?
Inheriting foreign property can create a filing obligation in that country as well as your own, with its own valuation rules and deadlines. A tax lawyer can confirm what is due, prepare the required declarations and advise on whether to keep, sell or transfer the asset to minimise the overall tax.
Free case review
Protect what you pass on, while there is still time to plan
Tell us about your estate and where your assets sit, and we’ll connect you with a tax lawyer who handles inheritance and succession in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.