Do I need a Spanish will if I own property in Spain?

It is strongly worth having a will that covers your Spanish property. Under the EU Succession Regulation, a foreign owner can choose the law of their nationality to govern the estate, which can avoid Spanish forced heirship rules. Whether you need a separate Spanish will is a question for a cross-border lawyer.

A UK will is not automatically recognised in Spain, and a Spanish will is not automatically recognised in your home country, so the two need to work together. Each will should state which assets it covers and avoid a general revocation clause that cancels the other.

A Spanish will drawn up by a notary commonly costs up to around €1,200 plus VAT for an individual, and less per person for a couple. Winding up a Spanish estate is a separate cost.

Spanish inheritance tax is regional. Non-resident heirs are generally taxed only on assets in Spain, and the filing deadline is six months from death. Allowances and rates differ between the Valencian Community, Murcia and Andalucía, so ask for current figures.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and figures were last checked in November 2026 and change, so take independent advice from a Spanish lawyer for your own purchase.