Spain Explained

Putting your Spanish will in order

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 03:15 pm.

Different countries have different rules about inheritance. For example, Spanish succession law requires that when someone dies two-thirds of the total inheritance must go to the children. They are the ‘legal beneficiaries’. This then only leaves one third of the estate to be disposed of according to the deceased’s wishes.

New Call-to-action

In the UK and Ireland a different national inheritance law applies. You can make out a will leaving your inheritance to whoever you want. In most cases this will be your spouse but might include the children, other relatives, friends or even a charity. Until now that hasn’t posed a problem with those making a Spanish will simply including who they wish to leave their property to in the will itself. However, things are about to change.

A new European law

The European parliament has finally passed a law relating to cross-border inheritance. The EU succession Regulation (EU No. 650/ 2012) is of particular importance to those people who ‘habitually reside’ in a country different to that of their nationality. ‘Habitually reside’ is defined as having lived in the country for at least the previous two years.

According to the new law, if you are a resident living in Spain you will be subject to Spanish succession law, whatever your nationality, unless you specify otherwise. The need for the law came from confusion when an individual had property in more than one country – which law should apply? This EU succession regulation aims to bring clarity to the inheritance process by stating that the whole of a deceased’s estate will be governed by one country’s laws.  At least you have the option of deciding whether it is your country of origin or the country you have moved to.

New Call-to-action

Intended to make things better it might be, but it does have important implications for those who want the laws from their own country to apply. If this is the case then you should indicate on your Spanish will that you want to invoke your own national law. If you don’t then it will be the Spanish law that will be implemented and two thirds of the inheritance will be distributed to your children.

Our advice

We recommend that people living in Spain have a Spanish will. It makes the process swifter and easier for those inheriting property. However, in order to make sure your wishes can be fulfilled it is important that your will includes the necessary clause. If it doesn’t then you should make a new will that states clearly what laws you wish to be followed. However, there is a little time in which to do this as the new regulation doesn’t apply until 17th August 2015.

See all

It might be of your interest...

Leave a comment

2 comments

Mrs Stephanie Ryan

23 December, 2023 8:42 am

I am a UK resident with a property in Spain solely in my name. My Spanish will was signed on the 23rd of May 2005 so reading your information it looks like I need to make a new will to come up to date with changed situations. Could you give me a coating for this. My heirs would be my two children.

Many thanks.

Oscar Paoli

27 December, 2023 3:24 pm

Dear Mrs. Tyan,

Regarding your question about the will you have made since 2005, we must advise you to change it only if your wishes or circumstances have changed since you made it, to the extent that the will you have now is not reflected in it.

If you have change your opinion regarding the heirs and you wish to include or exclude some heirs, if you wish to specify certain assets… you will have to make another will, but if your will after your death, is duly reflected in the will, then, is valid.

Only you can decide that, because there is no law that has changed since you made the will that makes it necessary for you to renew it now.

If you are not sure if you have the will as you wish, you can make an appointment with us, in the way you prefer (in person, on line, by telephone, by email…) and we will be happy to help you find answers to your questions and to verify if your current will reflects your current will.

With kind regards,

Ábaco Advisers