When John and Sarah received news that John’s mother had passed away, leaving her beloved villa in Moraira to them, they were overwhelmed — not just by grief, but by the complexity of inheriting property in Spain as British nationals living in the UK.
The couple faced several issues: they needed to navigate the Spanish succession process from the UK, understand their inheritance tax obligations in the Valencian Community, coordinate with UK probate, and eventually decide whether to keep or sell the property. They had heard that inheritance tax in Spain could be very high for non-residents.
We obtained the death certificate, requested the Certificate of Last Wills, and located the Spanish will at the notary in Teulada. We then prepared the full inheritance documentation and calculated the tax liability.
Crucially, we applied the Valencian Community tax reductions available to Group II beneficiaries (children). Since the 2023 reform, close relatives benefit from a 99% reduction on inheritance tax in the Comunitat Valenciana, regardless of residence. This saved John and Sarah over €45,000 compared to what they would have paid without the regional reduction.
Many people assume that inheriting property in Spain as a non-resident means paying prohibitive taxes. With proper legal advice and knowledge of regional tax reductions, the actual liability can be minimal.
Inheritance Lawyer Spain | Buying Property in Moraira | Contact Us
Inheritance matters in Spain can be complex, particularly for foreign nationals who may be subject to both Spanish succession law and the laws of their home country. Professional legal guidance is essential to navigate these cross-border issues effectively.
Our firm assists with the preparation of Spanish wills, the processing of inheritance acceptance, and the calculation and payment of succession duties. We work closely with lawyers in other jurisdictions to ensure a coordinated approach to international estates.
Having a Spanish will that covers your assets in Spain can significantly simplify the inheritance process for your beneficiaries and potentially reduce the associated costs and delays. Contact our office in Jávea to discuss your estate planning needs.
