Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Make an International Will That Holds Up Across Borders
Assets in more than one country, a will written under one law, and heirs who live elsewhere — a cross-border estate can unravel in ways a domestic will never anticipates. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who drafts and reviews international wills across Europe.
- Cross-border estate planning
- Multi-jurisdiction asset aware
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
When your life spans countries, your will has to as well
An international will is a will designed to be recognised and effective across more than one country, made by someone who owns property or assets abroad, lives in a country different from their nationality, or has heirs scattered across several jurisdictions. The challenge is that succession law is national: each country has its own rules on what a valid will must look like, what it may and may not dispose of, and which heirs cannot be excluded. A will that is perfectly valid in one country can be contested, ignored or partly overridden in another. Drafting it correctly means deciding which law should govern the estate, understanding the forced-heirship rules that may apply, and coordinating everything so your wishes are carried out with the least friction and cost for the people you leave behind.
Why cross-border wills fail
A will is only as good as the country
that has to honour it.
Different jurisdictions apply different validity, heirship and tax rules — and a will written for one can quietly fail in another.
Validity in doubt
Formal requirements — witnesses, signatures, notarisation, language — differ by country, and a will that meets the rules of one may not satisfy another, leaving your estate to be distributed under rules you never chose.
Forced heirship overrides your wishes
Many European countries reserve part of an estate to certain relatives by law, so a will that disinherits them can be set aside regardless of how clearly your intentions were written.
Conflicting laws over the same asset
Where you live, your nationality and where each asset sits can each point to a different legal system, creating competing claims that your heirs have to untangle at the worst possible time.
What you get
A will that works in every country that matters to you
We match you with lawyers who specialise in cross-border succession and know how to coordinate multiple legal systems.
Governing law chosen
Your lawyer advises on the best choice of law for your estate and ensures your will expresses it clearly, reducing the risk of conflicting rules being applied to the same assets.
Validity secured everywhere
The will is drafted to meet the formal requirements of every relevant jurisdiction, so it is more likely to be recognised without dispute wherever your assets or heirs are located.
Heirship rules respected
Forced-heirship claims are identified and planned around, so your will reflects what is actually enforceable in each country rather than what you hope it can do.
A coordinated estate plan
From choice of law to tax exposure and asset structure, your lawyer ties the will into a coherent plan that protects your heirs from delay, cost and surprise.
Coverage
International wills lawyers across Europe
Cross-border succession turns on the interplay of several national systems, so the right lawyer understands more than one. We match cases across the following countries and combinations of them:
Frequently asked
International wills — common questions
What makes a will ‘international’?
A will is international when your estate touches more than one country — because you own assets abroad, live outside your country of nationality, or have heirs in several jurisdictions. The will must then be recognised, and the estate administered, under more than one legal system.
Do I need a separate will for each country?
Not necessarily. A single, carefully drafted will can cover assets in several countries, but in some cases separate wills or a coordinated structure is safer. The right approach depends on the jurisdictions involved and the assets — a lawyer advises which arrangement fits your estate.
Which country’s law governs my will?
This is a key question in cross-border succession. European rules generally allow a choice of law, and where none is made, the law of your habitual residence or another connecting factor applies. Your lawyer helps you choose the law that best serves your wishes and explains its limits.
Can I leave my property in another country to whoever I want?
Not always. The country where the property sits, or the law that governs your estate, may impose forced-heirship rules that reserve part of it to certain relatives. A lawyer identifies these constraints so your will reflects what is actually enforceable.
What is the European Succession Regulation?
It is an EU framework that, in broad terms, allows a single national law to govern a cross-border succession and gives a legal basis for a choice of law. Its application to your estate depends on timing and the countries involved, so it should be confirmed with a lawyer for your specific situation.
How can I reduce the burden on my heirs?
Clear choice of law, a will valid in every relevant country, and awareness of the tax and heirship rules that will apply are the foundations. A lawyer coordinates these so your heirs inherit with less delay, dispute and unnecessary cost.
Free case review
Make your will as international as your life
Tell us where you live and where your assets sit, and we’ll connect you with a cross-border succession lawyer — free of charge, with no obligation to instruct.