Expert guidance on spanish wills foreign residents from Tomas Ballestero Lawyers — with over 20 years of experience helping foreign nationals navigate the Spanish legal system from our office in Jávea, Costa Blanca.
Making a Spanish will is one of the most practical and important legal steps that foreign residents and property owners in Spain can take. While a will made in your home country may technically be valid in Spain, having a separate Spanish will that specifically covers your assets here dramatically simplifies the inheritance process for your heirs and reduces both costs and delays.
Why a Foreign Will Is Not Enough
A will made outside Spain must be apostilled, officially translated, and validated before it can be used in Spanish legal proceedings. This process can take months and involves significant expense. In contrast, a Spanish will is immediately accessible through the Spanish Wills Registry, allowing your heirs to begin the inheritance process without delay.
What a Spanish Will Should Cover
A Spanish will typically covers all assets located in Spain, including property, bank accounts, vehicles, and personal belongings. It should clearly identify the beneficiaries, specify how the assets should be distributed, and include any relevant elections under the EU Succession Regulation. Your lawyer will ensure the will is compatible with any wills you have in other countries.
The EU Succession Regulation and Choice of Law
Under the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV), you can elect the law of your nationality to govern your succession. This is particularly important for nationals of countries like the UK, where there is no forced heirship. Including this election in your Spanish will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes rather than Spanish default rules.
The Process of Making a Spanish Will
Making a Spanish will is straightforward and inexpensive. Your lawyer drafts the will based on your instructions, and you then sign it before a Spanish notary. The notary registers the will with the Wills Registry, where it remains on record until needed. The entire process can typically be completed in one or two appointments.
To arrange your Spanish will, call +34 965 792 946 or email info@lawyerssolicitorsjavea.com. Learn more about our succession and inheritance services.
Need help with inheritance or probate matters in Spain? Contact our Inheritance & Wills Lawyers for expert legal assistance on the Costa Blanca.
Inheritance Law for Expatriates in Costa Blanca
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.
Planning Ahead
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 Costa Blanca to discuss your estate planning needs.
