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Papers · Slovakia
Updated September 2026

⚱️ A relative died — what do I have to arrange, and who helps?

Direct answer

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. Notárska komora SR (notar.sk) — a notary — handles most of it in Slovakia: the certificate of inheritance, the will, the transfer of property. Okresný súd — platobný rozkaz (justice.gov.sk) is where refusals and disputes go; Finančná správa — odvolanie / splátky (048 4317 222) wants the inheritance-tax return within its deadline.

Call firstNotárska komora SR
Report toOkresný súd — platobný rozkaz
If that failsFinančná správa — odvolanie / splátky

🗣️ 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

  1. Death certificateFrom the registry where the death occurred; several copies — every institution wants one.
  2. Do not pay debts, do not clear the house yetHandling the estate as if it were yours can count as accepting it, debts included.
  3. Notary: Notárska komora SRWill search, heirs, certificate of inheritance. Fees are regulated; ask for the estimate.
  4. Accept, accept under inventory, or refuseWithin the legal deadline (months). Under inventory protects you from debts beyond the assets.
  5. Tax: Finančná správa — odvolanie / splátkyReturn within the deadline; exemptions for spouse and children are large in most countries.

📇 All contacts

Notárska komora SRInheritance, deeds, powers of attorneyFor inheritance and certification🔗 www.notar.sk
Okresný súd — platobný rozkazPayment order procedure without a lawyerLast step, with a clear claim🔗 www.justice.gov.sk
Finančná správa — odvolanie / splátkyAppeal against a decision, instalmentsWithin 30 days of service📞 048 4317 222🔗 www.financnasprava.sk
Centrum právnej pomociFree legal aid for people in needWhen you cannot afford a lawyer📞 0650 105 100🔗 www.centrumpravnejpomoci.sk

❓ 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

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “inheritance procedure Slovakia”
  • “refuse inheritance debts deadline”
  • “certificate of inheritance notary”
  • “inheritance tax deadline Slovakia”
  • “will register search”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📜Apostille→🔢National ID number→🎓Diploma recognition→⏳Residence permit delay→

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