Receiving an inheritance in Spain can be a complex process, especially if the heir resides in another country and is unfamiliar with local regulations. In areas like Torrevieja or Ciudad Quesada, where many properties belong to foreign citizens, it’s very common for heirs to also be foreign nationals. If this is your case, it’s important to know what documentation you need and how to properly process it to avoid legal or tax issues.
When a foreigner inherits a property in Spain, they must face a series of formalities that depend not only on the will or family ties, but also on the heir’s country of residence, the place where the owner died, and whether there are any applicable international agreements. Therefore, specialized legal support is essential throughout the entire process.
Below, we explain the essential documents for accepting a real estate inheritance in Spain as a foreigner:
- Death certificate of the deceased, issued in the country of death, duly apostilled and translated into Spanish if necessary.
- Certificate of last wishes, issued by the Ministry of Justice in Spain. This document indicates whether the deceased made a will in Spanish territory.
- Original will, if there is one, or the declaration of heirs in the event that there is no valid will in Spain.
- DNI/NIE and passport of the heir, in addition to your current address. If you don’t yet have a NIE, you’ll need to obtain one to complete the process.
- Simple note from the Property Registry, which shows the ownership of the property and whether there are any outstanding charges.
- Cadastral valuation and copy of the latest IBI, necessary to calculate the inheritance tax.
- Bank certificate if the property is to be paid for or settled through the deceased’s accounts.
The process may vary depending on the autonomous community, but in all cases, the Inheritance and Gift Tax must be paid within six months of the date of death. The acceptance of the inheritance must also be signed before a notary.
At A&G Lawyers, we take care of everything: we compile the documents, arrange translations and apostilles, prepare the inheritance deed, and register it with the Property Registry. Our team speaks several languages and understands the complexities of inheriting in a foreign country.
Have you inherited a home in Spain and don’t know where to start?
Make an appointment with A&G Lawyers and we help you manage your inheritance step by step, with clarity, closeness, and complete legal security.
