Spanish Inheritance Lawyers for Foreigners in Spain

If you have inherited property, money or other assets in Spain, dealing with the Spanish inheritance process from another country can be complicated.

At C&D Solicitors, our Spanish inheritance lawyers specialise in assisting foreign residents and non- residents with inheritances across Andalusia, Murcia, Alicante and throughout Spain. We advise EU and non-EU clients and manage the entire Spanish inheritance procedure, from the initial legal assessment to the transfer and registration of the inherited assets.

In most cases, you do not need to travel to Spain. By granting us a Power of Attorney, our lawyers can represent you and deal with the Spanish authorities, Notary, tax formalities, Land Registry, Cadastre and banks on your behalf. Harmer, Kristina

Spanish Inheritance Services for Residents and Non-Residents

An inheritance involving assets in Spain requires legal, tax and administrative procedures in Spain even when the deceased and the heirs live abroad. Our inheritance lawyers provide a full legal service for foreign heirs, adapted to the circumstances of each estate.
We can assist you with:
– Spanish property and other assets
– Spanish and foreign wills
– Determining the heirs and applicable inheritance law
– Obtaining the Spanish Certificate of Last Wills (Certificado de Actos de Última Voluntad) and, where
applicable, an authorised copy of the last Spanish will
– Power of Attorney
– NIE numbers for heirs
– Spanish bank accounts, investments and other financial assets
– Inheritance Deeds before a Spanish Notary
– Spanish Inheritance Tax and municipal Plusvalía Tax (plusvalia municipal)
– Registration with the Land Registry and Cadastre
– Selling an inherited property

We combine our experience in Spanish inheritance law and property law, which is particularly important when the estate includes a house, apartment or other real estate in Spain.

ASK US ABOUT YOUR INHERITANCE IN SPAIN

Can We Handle Your Spanish Inheritance Without You Travelling to Spain?

Yes, in most cases we can. Many of our inheritance clients live outside Spain and prefer not to travel here simply to deal with legal and administrative formalities.
Through a Power of Attorney, you can authorise our lawyers to act on your behalf in Spain. Depending on your circumstances, we can obtain the necessary Spanish documentation and NIE, communicate with banks and authorities, prepare the inheritance documentation, deal with taxes and sign the Inheritance Deed before the Spanish Notary.
We can then arrange the registration of inherited property in the names of the heirs. This allows us to provide one coordinated full-service solution for non residents, from start to registration, while keeping you informed throughout the process. Depending on your circumstances, the Power of Attorney can also be signed remotely, so you may not need to leave home.

How Does the Inheritance Process in Spain Work?

Every international inheritance is different, but the Spanish procedure will generally involve the following
stages:
1. Review of the inheritance
We examine the available documentation, obtain the Spanish Certificate of Last Wills, identify the legal heirs and Spanish assets, and consider which inheritance law applies.
2. Documentation and Power of Attorney
We advise on the Spanish and foreign documents required and can arrange Spanish certificates, NIE numbers and the Power of Attorney needed to represent the heirs.
3. Inheritance Deed and taxes
We prepare the inheritance, calculate the relevant Spanish taxes and arrange the signing of the Inheritance Deed before the Notary.
4. Transfer and registration of the assets
Once the necessary taxes have been dealt with, we arrange the registration of Spanish property with the Land Registry and Cadastre and, when instructed, assist with the transfer or closure of Spanish bank accounts and other assets.

SPEAK TO A SPANISH INHERITANCE LAWYER

Inheriting Property in Spain

Property is one of the most common assets involved in Spanish inheritances for foreign clients. Before transferring an inherited property, our lawyers carry out the necessary legal checks and review its ownership situation. We review and advise you on the appropriate valuation of the inherited property, taking into account the potential tax implications if you intend to sell it in the future. We then deal with the inheritance formalities, taxation and registration of the property in the names of the heirs.

Once the inheritance is completed, you may decide to keep the property, use it as a second home, rent it or sell it. As C&D Solicitors specialises in both inheritance and Spanish property law, we can continue advising you after the inheritance has been completed, including if you decide to sell the inherited property.

Spanish Inheritance Tax for Foreign Heirs

Foreign heirs may have Spanish tax obligations when inheriting assets located in Spain. The tax position depends on several circumstances, including the assets inherited, the relationship between the deceased and the heir, their circumstances and the relevant Autonomous Community.

Where real estate is inherited, municipal Plusvalía Tax may also need to be considered. Our lawyers assess the Spanish tax position as part of the inheritance procedure and arrange the necessary tax formalities before completing the registration or transfer of the inherited assets.

Spanish and Foreign Wills

A Spanish inheritance may involve a Spanish will, a foreign will or, in some cases, no will at all.
For international estates, it is particularly important to establish which inheritance law applies and which documents will be required in Spain. Depending on the case, foreign notarial or probate documentation may also be necessary.

If there is no valid will, additional procedures may be required to establish the legal heirs before the inheritance can be completed. Our lawyers review the circumstances at the beginning of the case and explain the appropriate procedure and documentation.

SPEAK TO A SPANISH INHERITANCE LAWYER

Spanish Inheritance for UK, US and Canadian Estates

CD Solicitors, based in Málaga, has advised international clients across Andalusia, Murcia, Alicante and Spain since 2006. We understand the additional difficulties that arise when heirs live abroad and have to deal with an unfamiliar legal system, language and administration.
 Specialists in Spanish inheritance and property law
 Extensive experience with EU and non-EU clients
 One coordinated full-service solution, from inheritance to property registration or sale
 Multilingual assistance
 Clear and practical communication throughout the procedure
Our objective is simple: to manage the Spanish side of the inheritance efficiently while making the process as straightforward as possible for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About<br> Inheritance in Spain

Do I need to travel to Spain to deal with an inheritance?
In most cases, you don’t. By granting our lawyers a Power of Attorney, we can carry out most of the Spanish inheritance procedure on your behalf, including signing the Inheritance Deed before the Notary.
Do I need an NIE number to inherit in Spain?
Heirs generally need a Spanish NIE for the fiscal and legal formalities involved in accepting or renouncing an inheritance. We can arrange the NIE through a Power of Attorney.
What happens if there is no Spanish will?
The procedure depends on whether another valid will exists and which inheritance law applies. Where necessary, a Declaration of Heirs or foreign succession documentation may be required before the Spanish inheritance can be completed.
Can you deal with the deceased’s Spanish bank accounts?
Yes. If we are provided with details of the deceased’s bank accounts, investments or other financial products, we can contact the relevant Spanish banks and include these assets in the inheritance procedure.
Can I sell a property I inherit in Spain?
Yes. Once the necessary inheritance formalities have been completed, the property can be retained or sold. In many cases, the inheritance and sale procedures can be coordinated.

Need Help With an Inheritance in Spain?

If you have inherited property, bank accounts or other assets in Spain, contact our inheritance lawyers
and tell us about your situation.
Whether you live in Spain or abroad, C&D Solicitors can manage the Spanish inheritance procedure
on your behalf, from the initial review through to the transfer and registration of the assets. We speak
your language: English, Dutch, Swedish, French, German and Arabic.

CONTACT OUR SPANISH INHERITANCE LAWYERS

View Our Other Inheritance Services in Spain

Beyond basic inheritance planning, we offer comprehensive legal services including Spanish will preparation, tax planning strategies, property transfer assistance, estate administration, as well as European Certificate of Succession services. Our full-service approach ensures all aspects of your Spanish succession planning work together seamlessly, providing maximum protection for your assets and beneficiaries.