Practice Area · 07

Your legacy, protected across borders.

International families hold assets in more than one country, and more than one legal system. We plan estates, draft wills and handle inheritances in Portugal so that what you built reaches the people you choose.

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0%Inheritance tax for close family

Your lawChoice under EU rules

2 systemsCivil & common law fluency

Good to know

Portugal applies forced heirship: part of your estate is reserved by law for close family. Foreign nationals can often elect the law of their nationality instead, but only if the will says so. Review your will with us →

What we cover

Planning ahead, and settling what comes.

Half of our work is preventing problems with a well‑drafted plan. The other half is resolving inheritances that arrive without one.

FoundationService 01

Wills & estate planning

Portuguese wills for your assets here, coordinated with the wills you hold elsewhere, including the choice‑of‑law election that keeps your estate under the rules you expect.

One coherent plan across every country where you hold assets

Service 02

Inheritance & probate

The full Portuguese succession process: qualification of heirs, asset inventory, tax filings and the registration of property in the heirs' names, for residents and families abroad.

Handled remotely for heirs who live outside Portugal

Service 03

Cross‑border successions

Estates spanning Portugal and other jurisdictions, applying the EU Succession Regulation, coordinating foreign courts and notaries, and recognising foreign documents in Portugal.

Civil and common law systems bridged in one process

Service 04

Lifetime transfers & structures

Gifts and donations of Portuguese assets, usufruct arrangements that let you give while keeping the use, and guidance on how foreign trusts interact with Portuguese law.

Transfer in life, with taxes and control planned upfront

Before it matters

What international families learn about Portuguese succession.

These are the rules that surprise foreign residents, usually at the worst possible moment. Better to meet them now.

Forced heirship exists

Portuguese law reserves a share of the estate for spouse, children and parents, regardless of what the will says.

You may choose your law

Under EU rules, foreign nationals can elect the succession law of their nationality, but the election must be made in a will.

Tax is milder than you fear

Portugal has no inheritance tax between spouses, children and parents. Other heirs pay 10% stamp duty on Portuguese assets.

Foreign wills need work

A will made abroad can be valid in Portugal, but using it here requires translation, legalisation and often court recognition.

Unmarried partners are exposed

Without planning, a de facto partner may inherit far less than expected. Recognition and a will change that picture.

Deadlines apply

Inheritance tax declarations and filings have legal deadlines after death. Missing them creates penalties on top of grief.

How we work

From first review to settled estate.

Estate review

We map your assets, family situation and existing wills across jurisdictions within days.

Strategy & drafting

Choice of law, Portuguese will and lifetime transfers, designed as one coherent plan.

Execution

Notarial acts, registrations and coordination with your advisors abroad.

When succession opens

Qualification of heirs, inventory, tax filings and transfers, handled with sensitivity.

Family continuity

Ongoing counsel to the next generation on the assets they now hold in Portugal.

Common questions

Answers, before you ask.

Does Portugal have inheritance tax?

Not for close family: inheritances between spouses, children, grandchildren and parents are exempt. Other beneficiaries pay stamp duty of 10% on assets located in Portugal. There is no tax on assets located abroad, though your home country may tax them under its own rules.

Can my estate follow the law of my home country instead of Portuguese law?

Often yes. The EU Succession Regulation lets you elect the law of your nationality to govern your entire succession, which can set aside Portuguese forced heirship. The election must be expressly made, normally in your will, which is why reviewing your will after moving to Portugal is essential.

I already have a will in my home country. Do I need a Portuguese one?

Usually it is strongly advisable. A Portuguese will covering your Portuguese assets avoids translation, legalisation and recognition procedures at the worst moment, and lets us embed the choice‑of‑law election correctly. We draft it to coexist with your foreign wills, never to conflict with them.

What is forced heirship and does it apply to me?

Under Portuguese law, a reserved share of the estate (the "legítima") belongs by right to the spouse, descendants and ascendants, typically between half and two thirds of the estate. It applies by default to residents of Portugal, but a valid choice of your national law in a will can change which rules govern.

What happens if a family member dies owning property in Portugal and there is no will?

The succession follows the applicable intestacy rules, and the heirs must complete the Portuguese process: qualification of heirs, tax declaration and registration of the assets. We handle the entire procedure, including for families who live abroad and cannot travel.

How are foreign trusts treated in Portugal?

Portugal has no domestic trust regime, and distributions from foreign trusts have specific tax treatment. If your planning involves trusts, the structure needs review before you become Portuguese resident, not after. We coordinate with your trustees and advisors abroad.

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