A relative died — what do I have to arrange, and who helps?
The first week: the death certificate from the civil registry, the funeral, and telling the bank (accounts are frozen for anyone but the estate). Then the estate: whether there is a will (checked in the national wills register), who inherits, and whether to accept — because in most EU countries you inherit debts too, so you can accept under inventory or refuse, within a deadline. Ordem dos Notários / Balcão das Heranças (notarios.pt) — a notary — handles most of it in Portugal: the certificate of inheritance, the will, the transfer of property. Balcão do Arrendatário e do Senhorio (BAS) (justica.gov.pt) is where refusals and disputes go; Autoridade Tributária — reclamação graciosa / Portal das Finanças (217 206 707) wants the inheritance-tax return within its deadline.
🗣️ What to say
"My [relative] died on [date] in [place]. I would like to know whether a will is registered, who the heirs are, whether I should accept the inheritance and how, and what you need from me to issue the certificate of inheritance."
🪜 Step by step
- Death certificateFrom the registry where the death occurred; several copies — every institution wants one.
- Do not pay debts, do not clear the house yetHandling the estate as if it were yours can count as accepting it, debts included.
- Notary: Ordem dos Notários / Balcão das HerançasWill search, heirs, certificate of inheritance. Fees are regulated; ask for the estimate.
- Accept, accept under inventory, or refuseWithin the legal deadline (months). Under inventory protects you from debts beyond the assets.
- Tax: Autoridade Tributária — reclamação graciosa / Portal das FinançasReturn within the deadline; exemptions for spouse and children are large in most countries.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
The deceased lived in another EU country
The EU Succession Regulation: the law of the last habitual residence applies, and a European Certificate of Succession works everywhere. The notary there or here can issue it.
I think there are more debts than assets
Refuse, or accept under inventory. Do not touch the estate; ask the notary the same week.
We cannot agree how to divide it
Mediation first — notaries and courts refer to it; then the court divides. Selling the house and splitting the money is the usual outcome.
📎 Sources
- Ordem dos Notários / Balcão das Heranças →
- Balcão do Arrendatário e do Senhorio (BAS) →
- Autoridade Tributária — reclamação graciosa / Portal das Finanças →
- Segurança Social — apoio judiciário / Ordem dos Advogados →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “inheritance procedure Portugal”
- “refuse inheritance debts deadline”
- “certificate of inheritance notary”
- “inheritance tax deadline Portugal”
- “will register search”
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