Using a Foreign Will in Spain: Validity and Execution

Understanding the usage of a Foreign Will in Spain can be critical for individuals with assets in the country. In this article, we discuss the validity and execution of Foreign Wills in Spain. You will also find some important things to keep in mind when you don’t have a Spanish Will.

Foreign Will in Spain

A Foreign Will in Spain is a Last Will or Testament that was made in another state or country. Spain accepts a Foreign Will if it meets the Spanish Inheritance Laws. However, they must be legalized before a Spanish consul (or affixed with an apostille in signatory countries) and translated into Spanish.

The validity of a Will executed in another country is governed by the conflict of laws and rules of the jurisdiction in which probate is sought. In Spain, the general rule is that a Will executed in another country will be recognized and given effect if it is valid under the laws of the country where it was executed. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the Will was executed in a country that does not have a legal system compatible with that of Spain, or if the testator lacked mental capacity at the time the Will was executed, the Will may not be recognized as valid in Spain.

In Spain, there are forced heirs—people who are legally entitled to a portion of your estate when you die. The size of the portion depends on the relationship between the heir and the deceased. This can pose a problem for people with assets in Spain but who are not Spanish citizens. If you die without a will, your estate will be subject to Spanish intestacy laws. This means that your forced heirs will receive part of your estate.

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Reasons to Make a Spanish Will

It is not obligatory to have a Spanish Will. However, if you have assets in Spain, we would recommend that you make a Will in Spain that specifically deals with your Spanish assets. Reasons to make a Spanish Will are:

Helps to avoid potential conflicts between your heirs and the Spanish authorities.
Ensures that your property will be distributed in accordance with Spanish law.
Gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes will be carried out as you intended.

When you choose to make a Spanish Will, there are several options such as the Testamento Cerrado and Testamento Abierto. Spanish Wills will typically be dedicated to assets such as:

Spanish property
Spanish bank accounts
Life insurance policies
Pension schemes

Foreign Wills and Non-Residency

Spanish inheritance law generally follows the rules of intestate succession. This means that the property of a person who dies without a will passes to their nearest relatives.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule as well. One of them is the Spanish inheritance law for non-residents. In these cases, the laws of the country where the deceased person was a resident at the time of his or her death determine the inheritors.

This can often lead to complex situations, especially when the deceased person has property in more than one country. However, there are some international treaties that can help to resolve these disputes. For example, the Hague Convention on Succession Law provides a framework for determining which country’s law should apply in cases of cross-border inheritance. As a result, it is important to seek legal advice if you are dealing with an inheritance where the deceased person was not a resident of Spain.

Procedure to Validate a Foreign Will

Below, you will find the steps to obtain recognition of a Foreign Will in Spain:

The Will needs to be validated to be legal according to the Spanish Succession Law by a Spanish law firm.
The Spanish Consul in your home nation must validate a certified copy of the probate grant.
Once the Will has been legalized, it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator / official translator (authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
The Will needs to be accepted by a Spanish Notary Public, so it can be registered in the Central Registry of Wills in Spain (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad).
Sometimes a Spanish probate judge has to give permission for the Will to be executed.

Executing a Foreign Will in Spain

Once the Foreign Will has been accepted and validated, the next step is to proceed with its execution. In order to do this, check the following steps:

All beneficiaries named in the Will must be located and notified of their Spanish inheritance.
The assets that fall under the inheritance law of the deceased need to be calculated in order for the correct Spanish Inheritance Tax to be paid.
When dealing with foreigners to Spain, the heirs will need to open a Spanish bank account in order to deposit the assets of the estate and also need to obtain an NIE number.

Paying inheritance tax over Spanish assets is typically done with the help of a Spanish Tax Expert or Spanish Inheritance Lawyer. Taking care of the taxes of a Spanish Estate is not straightforward. You will have to deal with local tax and Spanish Inheritance Law. However, there are several tax-free allowances you can get depending on your situation.

The notary public and Spanish Wills

The notary public plays a vital role when it comes to Foreign Will. Dealing with a notary public in Spain helps to ensure that the Foreign or Spanish Will is executed as smoothly as possible. It also helps to avoid any potential complications that may arise. They will provide services such as:

Validating that the Will has been correctly executed according to Spanish law
Giving access to assets and debts that belong to the estate
Accepting or denying legal requirements
Drawing up certificates
Giving a Power of Attorney to the Inheritance Lawyer

If you are looking for a Spanish Notary to make your foreign will a valid will in Spain, our Spanish lawyer can make sure all the documents are in order to start your inheritance process.

Get assistance from a Spanish Inheritance Lawyer

If you have inherited Spanish property or are in the process of doing so and don’t have a Spanish Will, it is important to seek legal advice from a Spanish inheritance lawyer. There are a number of complex issues that people need to consider when inheriting property in Spain, such as tax liability, inheritance rules, and the division of assets.

Our Spanish inheritance lawyer will be able to advise you on these matters and help you to navigate the legal process. We are experts in Spanish Inheritance Tax, Gift tax, Spanish Wills, and other Spanish regulations. If you don’t speak Spanish, then we can speak English or your language. Read more about the services our Spanish Inheritance Lawyers offer.

Disclaimer: Information on this page may be incomplete or outdated. Under no circumstances should the information listed be considered professional legal or financial advice. We highly recommend seeking guidance from a legal or financial expert if you lack extensive knowledge or experience dealing with any of the procedures outlined in these articles.