WHAT WE DO
Spanish Inheritance Lawyer – Community of Valencia
We take care of the entire inheritance process in Spain, from the very first step until the assets are legally registered in the heir’s name. Please note: under Spanish law there is a six-month deadline from the date of death to pay the inheritance tax (Impuesto de Sucesiones y Donaciones). Missing this deadline can generate penalties and interest, so early action is essential.
Alicante and the Costa Blanca have become an international destination, home to thousands of families from across Europe and beyond. This unique environment has allowed us to specialise in international inheritance law, assisting heirs and beneficiaries of different nationalities in cross-border estates for more than 15 years of proven experience.
Because of the complexity of international inheritance cases — involving Spanish law, European regulations, and bilateral tax treaties — it is vital to count on an experienced inheritance lawyer in Spain who guides you through each stage: acceptance of inheritance, tax compliance, and registration before the Spanish Notary Public and Land Registry.
In Spain, every inheritance must be signed before a Notary. The Notary is an independent public authority appointed by the Spanish State, who ensures the legality of the process. We coordinate the entire procedure for you, representing you when needed so that you do not have to travel to Spain in person.
Obtaining The Will
Inheritance Procedure in Spain – Documents and Power of Attorney
We will take care of obtaining all the necessary legal documents to sign the inheritance and register the assets in your name before the Spanish Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad). If you are not able to travel to Spain, you may grant us a Power of Attorney so we can represent you throughout the procedure.
The first step in every Spanish inheritance is to verify whether the deceased granted a will in Spain. This is done by contacting the Central Registry of Spanish Wills (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad) in Madrid. To obtain this certificate, a death certificate of the deceased is required. If a Spanish will exists, we will apply for and obtain an official copy (copia autorizada) directly from the Notary where it was signed.
From there, we will guide you through the acceptance of inheritance, tax declarations, and registration of all assets in the heir’s name.
Spanish Will vs. Foreign Will – Documents Required
If there is a valid Spanish will, the process is straightforward: you will only need a notarised and apostilled death certificate in order to proceed with the administration of the estate in Spain.
If there is only a foreign will, the following documents must be officially translated into Spanish, notarised and apostilled:
The death certificate
The will
A Certificate of Law (Affidavit) explaining the succession law of your country
The legal formalities of transferring property and assets to beneficiaries in Spain must always be completed before a Spanish Notary. The Notary is a public officer who ensures that heirs are legally entitled to the deceased’s estate and that the inheritance complies with Spanish law.
Inheritance Tax in Spain
The rate of inheritance tax in Spain depends on several factors:
The family relationship between the deceased and the heirs
The amount each heir receives
The pre-existing wealth of each beneficiary
The Spanish region where the deceased or heirs resided
In the Valencian Community (Comunidad Valenciana), specific reductions and allowances apply. For example, direct descendants and spouses benefit from generous tax allowances, making inheritance tax much lower than in other Spanish regions. Multipliers may apply depending on the degree of relationship and the amount received.
| Taxable amount | Amount to pay | Up to | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0,00 € | 0,00 € | 7.993,46 € | 7,65 % |
| 7.993,46 € | 611,50 € | 7.668,91 € | 8,50 % |
| 15.662,32 € | 1.263,36 € | 7.831,19 € | 9,35 % |
| 23.493,56 € | 1.995,58 € | 7.831,19 € | 10,20 % |
| 31.324,75 € | 2.794,36 € | 7.831,19 € | 11,05 % |
| 39.155,94 € | 3.659,70 € | 7.831,19 € | 11,90 % |
| 46.987,13 € | 4.591,61 € | 7.831,19 € | 12,75 % |
| 54.818,31 € | 5.590,09 € | 7.831,19 € | 13,60 % |
| 62.649,50 € | 6.655,13 € | 7,831.19 € | 14,45 % |
| 70.480,69 € | 7.786,74 € | 7,831.19 € | 15,30 % |
| 78.311,88 € | 8.984,91 € | 39.095,84 € | 16,15 % |
| 117.407,71 € | 15.298,89 € | 39.095,84 € | 18,70 % |
| 156.503,55 € | 22.609,81 € | 78.191,67 € | 21,25 % |
| 234.695,23 € | 39.225,54 € | 156.263,15 € | 25,50 % |
| 390.958,37 € | 79.072,64 € | 390.958,37 € | 29,75 % |
| 781.916,75 € | 195.382,76 € | From over | 34,00 % |