International Inheritance & Succession Lawyer
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At Rodríguez Tur Abogados, we are specialist international succession lawyers, experienced in handling inheritances where assets, heirs or wills are located in more than one country. Whether you have inherited property in Spain from abroad, or need to manage the estate of a relative who lived or held assets outside Spain, we advise you at every stage of the process, coordinating with notaries and authorities in several countries where required.
Legal Advice on International Succession Law in Ibiza
International inheritances are largely governed by EU Regulation 650/2012, which determines which country’s law applies to a succession when the deceased had ties to more than one country. Common questions include which notary has jurisdiction, which law governs the distribution of assets, and which country’s tax authority the estate must settle with. As specialist international inheritance lawyers, we resolve these questions from the very first consultation.
Contact us and we will explain clearly what documentation you need and the next steps in your specific case.
Comprehensive Legal Services for International Successions in Ibiza
We offer a comprehensive service in international successions, tailored to the complexity of each case, from a straightforward inheritance involving a single asset abroad to high-value estates spread across several countries. We coordinate with notaries, registries and tax authorities both in Spain and in the country where the assets or the heir are located.
Determining the Applicable Law and Habitual Residence
We assess which law applies to the succession under EU Regulation 650/2012, based on the deceased’s habitual residence at the time of death and, where applicable, any choice of law made during their lifetime. This determination is the first step in any international inheritance, as it decides which rules govern the distribution of assets and who is entitled to inherit.
European Certificate of Succession
We handle the application for the European Certificate of Succession, the document that allows heirs, legatees, executors and estate administrators to prove their status and exercise their rights in any EU Member State without further formalities. It is particularly useful when assets or bank accounts are held in more than one EU country.
Foreign Wills and Choice-of-Law Clauses
We review the validity in Spain of wills executed before foreign notaries, and advise on including a choice-of-law clause in a will, so that the law of your country of nationality, rather than Spanish law, governs your succession if that is your preference.
Coordination with Foreign Notaries and Authorities
We coordinate with notaries, registries and courts in the country where the assets are located or where the deceased resided, including obtaining country-specific documents such as a certificate of last will, a German Erbschein, or a Grant of Probate, and their recognition in Spain.
International Inheritance Tax and Double Taxation
We assess which taxes are due and in which country, avoiding double taxation through the applicable tax treaties. We pay particular attention to high-value estates and complex assets spread across several jurisdictions, where incorrect planning can result in an avoidable tax cost.
Remote Management via Power of Attorney
We manage the entire process through a Power of Attorney, so that you never need to travel to Spain, from accepting the inheritance through to settling taxes and registering the assets with the Land Registry.
Frequently Asked Questions about International Inheritances
As a general rule, the law of the country where the deceased had their habitual residence at the time of death applies, under EU Regulation 650/2012. However, if the deceased chose the law of their country of nationality during their lifetime through a clause in their will, that choice prevails. We assess each case to determine precisely which law applies.
It is a document that proves your status as an heir, legatee or estate administrator, valid in any EU country without further formalities. You need one if you have to exercise your inheritance rights in an EU country other than the one where the succession was processed, for example to access a bank account or register a property.
Yes. EU Regulation 650/2012 allows you to choose the law of your country of nationality to govern your succession, instead of the law of your country of residence. This choice must be made expressly in a will, and we recommend reviewing it if you have recently changed your country of residence.
It depends on the country. Germany, for example, requires an Erbschein (a certificate of inheritance issued by a German court), while common law countries require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. These documents usually need a sworn translation and an apostille to take effect in Spain, and we manage the entire process on your behalf.
Yes. We manage the entire process through a Power of Attorney, from accepting the inheritance through to settling taxes and registering the assets, without you ever needing to travel to Spain.
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