Inheritance in Portugal · Lisbon law firm
We explain in English what has to be done here, and we deal with the Portuguese side for you: the heirs, the tax office, the bank accounts and the property. In most cases you will not need to travel.
Inheritance cases are handled by the founding partners Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro Santos and Dr. Samuel Benjamim, in English.
Is this you?
An inheritance in another country, in another language, is hard to follow at a difficult time. These are the questions we hear most.
Which country's law governs the inheritance depends mainly on where the person was living when they died, or on a choice made in their will. The Portuguese property still goes through Portuguese procedures.
The first steps in Portugal are usually to formally declare who the heirs are and to notify the tax office of the death. There are deadlines, so we tell you what comes first in your case.
A foreign will can be used in Portugal, although it may need to be certified and translated. What it achieves depends on which law applies, so we read it against both.
When the heirs cannot agree how to divide the estate, it can be shared out through an inventory process, before a notary or in court.
Banks usually block the accounts of someone who has died until they receive proof of who the heirs are. Declaring the heirs is normally what releases them.
Heirs may have to declare what they inherited and pay stamp duty. The spouse, children and certain other close relatives are exempt from the tax, but the declaration is generally still required.
How we help
We look at where the person lived, their nationality and any will, and work out which country's rules govern the inheritance under the EU Succession Regulation (No 650/2012).
We prepare the habilitação de herdeiros, the formal declaration of who the heirs are, which banks, the tax office and the land registry ask for.
We notify the tax office of the death, list the assets, and check whether stamp duty is due or an exemption applies.
We deal with the banks and register the property in the names of the heirs, or of whoever receives it when the estate is divided.
We draft the division (partilha) when the heirs agree, and represent you in an inventory process when they do not.
If the heirs would rather sell, we help with the sale, whether they sell together or one of them buys out the others.
How it works
At our office or by video call. We look at where the person lived, what there is in Portugal and who the heirs may be.
We tell you which documents to gather, such as death and birth certificates and any will, and whether they need an apostille or a translation.
We declare the heirs, deal with the tax office and get the bank accounts released.
We draft the division of the estate, or represent you in an inventory process, and register the assets in the heirs' names.
What it costs
The first consultation has a fixed price. Any work after that is quoted and agreed with you in advance.
First step
After the consultation
We reply within 24 working hours
Who handles it
Inheritance cases are handled by Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro Santos and Dr. Samuel Benjamim, founding partners. Dr. Ricardo works mainly in inheritance and property; Dr. Samuel brings his practice in succession together with negotiation and property. Both work with clients in English.
You deal with us. We deal with the Portuguese banks, the tax office, notaries, registries and courts.
We work with each heir by email and video call, wherever they live, and each can sign a power of attorney where they are.
No lawyer can guarantee how an inheritance will be resolved, and our professional rules do not allow us to promise it. What we can commit to is a clear analysis, a plan and steady follow-up.
Google reviews from people who have contacted us. Most are written in Portuguese.
Recomendo o vosso serviço pois é mesmo 5 estrelas, um agradecimento especial para o Dr. Ricardo e a Dra. Sara, muito obrigado!
Menez B.
Nota Excelente. Escritório moderno, equipa simpática. Óptimo aconselhamento na área de família. Todo o meu processo foi conduzido pela Dra. Sara Santos, muito profissional, que sempre…
Filipa R.
Fui atendida pela Dr Sara, e enalteço seu profissionalismo, sempre pronta a responder a questões relacionadas com regulação do poder parental, e sempre disponivel para me atender.
Carmen C.
Excelentes profissionais, confiança e total transparência. Sempre presentes e disponíveis no acompanhamento ao longo de todo o processo e em todos os esclarecimentos.Sofia O.
Profissionalismo alicerçado com uma boa dose de respeito pelos conflitos pessoais dos seus clientes. Informação sempre cabal e ao dispor de quem os procura.Paulo C.
Profissionais de excelência, pela sua ética profissional, competência e confiança transmitida. Recomendo todos os serviços prestados pela Ribesa Advogados.Mariana C.
Fiquei muito satisfeito com o excelente serviço prestado pela equipa. Ótimos profissionais, confiáveis, competentes e sempre ao dispor para ajudar.Vitor C.
Estou bastante satisfeito com o trabalho realizado. Serviço de qualidade! Equipa competente e sempre disponível durante todo o processo.
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Empresa com excelentes profissionais e 100% confiável. Sempre disponíveis para ajudar, acompanhando todo o processo até ao fim!Tatiana N.
Serviço 5*. Foram muito atenciosos durante todo o processo, quer a forma de abordagem a forma de trato. RecomendoJoão M.
Aconselho a Ribesa Advogados a quem estiver à procura de carácter, profissionalismo, dedicação, e excelência.Selma S.
Altamente recomendável. Profissionais até ao fim. Sempre prestáveis, disponíveis e de um empenho fantástico.Pedro P.
Pessoas 5 estrelas muito simpáticas e muito competentes e disponíveis. Recomendo sem hesitaçõesDiogo R.
Com tão excelentes profissionais, o serviço só poderá ser igualmente excelente! Recomendo.Ma L.
Bastante honestos, profissionais disponíveis e prestáveis. Esclareceram todas as dúvidas.
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Equipa de profissionais de excelência, competentes e de confiança. Recomendo.Sónia M.
Equipa muito simpática e muito profissional!! Recomendo a 100%!!Filipa F.
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Not sure you need a lawyer?Tell us what is happening. If you don't need one, we will say so.
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Our office
Next to Campo Pequeno. Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00, by appointment. Meet us at the office or by video call from wherever you are.
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, ask it in your consultation request.
Ask your questionUnder the EU Succession Regulation (No 650/2012), the general rule is the law of the country where the person was habitually resident when they died. A person can choose the law of their nationality in their will instead. Portugal applies these rules even when the other country is outside the EU.
Usually not. Most steps can be taken by a lawyer acting under your power of attorney. You sign it where you live and have it certified, for example with an apostille, so that it is accepted in Portugal.
It is the formal declaration of who the heirs are. It is usually made before a notary or at a registry office. Banks, the tax office and the land registry ask for it before they release or transfer anything.
Portugal has no separate inheritance tax, but stamp duty (imposto do selo) is charged on what is inherited. The spouse, children and certain other close relatives are exempt from it. The heirs generally still have to file a declaration with the tax office.
If the heirs cannot agree how to divide the estate, any of them can start an inventory process (processo de inventário), before a notary or in court. It lists the assets and debts and ends with the division.
Banks generally ask for the declaration of heirs and proof that the tax office has been notified before they release funds. Once these are in place, the heirs can access or divide the balance.
Yes, if all the heirs agree and sign, or give someone a power of attorney to sign for them. The heirs must first be formally declared, and the property's paperwork has to be in order.
Portuguese law reserves part of an estate for the spouse, the children and, in some cases, the parents. Whether these rules apply to you depends on which country's law governs the inheritance. We look at this in the first consultation.
Book a consultation
Explain the situation in your own words. We reply within 24 working hours to arrange a time and tell you which documents are worth sending.
Initial legal consultation
€90initial consultation
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