How much does it cost to settle an estate?

It depends above all on who inherits. For the spouse, the stable partner (in a “pareja estable”, the Catalan stable partnership) and the children, taxes are often low and sometimes nothing is paid. For other heirs, they are usually the biggest expense. On top of that come the notary, the “Registro de la Propiedad” (the Land Registry), the certificates and, if one is hired, the lawyer or the “gestoría” (administrative agency). For an ordinary estate with a flat and some money, the notary and the Land Registry together usually cost between 600 and 2.000 euros including VAT.

Alburquerque Abogados

José Manuel Alburquerque
Inheritance and succession

Taxes

  • The “impuesto de sucesiones”, the Spanish inheritance tax. In Catalonia, the spouse, the stable partner and the children have significant allowances and tax credits, especially if they inherit the deceased's home and keep it for five years. Siblings, nephews and nieces pay considerably more, as do unrelated people.
  • The “plusvalía municipal”, the municipal capital gains tax, if there are urban properties. It is charged by the local council. Many councils reduce it by up to 95 % when the spouse or children inherit the deceased's home.

Notary, Land Registry and certificates

  • The deed of acceptance and division of the estate. The notary charges for it according to the official scale of fees, which depends mainly on the value of the assets. It usually costs between 400 and 1.500 euros.
  • Registration of the properties at the Land Registry, also under the official scale of fees. It usually costs between 200 and 500 euros.
  • The declaration of heirs before a notary, if there is no will. It costs a few hundred euros.
  • The certificate of last wills (from the “Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad”) and the certificate of life insurance policies, which cost about 4 euros each. The death certificate is free.

Lawyer or administrative agency

There is no official scale of fees, so it is advisable to ask for a written quote before starting. An estate with a single heir and one flat does not cost the same as one with several siblings who cannot agree.

This answer is provided for educational purposes and offers initial guidance on the question raised. Every matter has its own circumstances and nuances that require individual assessment. For that reason, before taking decisions with significant consequences, it is advisable to consult a professional and not to rely solely on this information. Personalised advice makes it possible to apply these explanations to the specific case and to assess the options available with greater certainty.