Managing an inheritance in Serbia, whether you have heirs in Spain or assets in multiple countries, requires understanding applicable law, gathering essential documents, obtaining apostilles and translations, determining the competent notary, settling taxes, and completing property registration. Below, you will find detailed steps, a documents/timelines table, and FAQs.
If you are wondering “how to manage an inheritance in Serbia?”, follow these steps and review the quick reference table to navigate legal and fiscal requirements efficiently.
Table of Contents
- Steps
- Documents and Timelines
- Taxes
- Property Registration
- Frequently Asked Questions
Steps
Applicable Law and Will:
Determine the habitual residence of the deceased and, if necessary, apply international law (EU Regulation 650/2012). Check the will and professio iuris.
Documentation:
Obtain death certificates, last wills, inventories, apostilles, and certified translations as required.
Notary and Representation:
Identify the competent notary in Spain or Serbia; use powers of attorney for remote management.
Tax Compliance:
Calculate Spanish inheritance tax (ISD) and municipal capital gains, Serbian inheritance taxes, and apply double taxation agreements if applicable.
Property Registration:
Draft acceptance/partition deeds and register them in each country’s property registry.
Documents and Timelines
| Document | Issued by | Location | Apostille/Translation? | Estimated Time | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death Certificate | Civil Registry | Country of death | Yes, if foreign | 3–10 days | €10–30 |
| Last Will / Testament | Notary / RGAUV | Spain / Serbia | Apostille + translation | 3–15 days | €20–60 |
| Inventory of Assets | Registries / Authorities | Each country | Depending on document | 1–4 weeks | — |
| Hague Apostille | Competent Authority | Country of issue | — | 1–10 days | €20–60 |
| Certified Translation | Sworn Translator | — | — | 2–7 days | €0.08–0.15/word |
| Acceptance / Partition Deed | Notary | Spain / Serbia | According to annexes | 1–3 weeks | €300–1,200 |
Taxes
- Spain (ISD): Depends on Autonomous Community.
- Municipal capital gains: If there are urban properties in Spain.
- Serbia: Local inheritance tax depending on residency and heir status.
- Double taxation: Review treaties or exemptions to avoid double taxation.
Sources: AEAT, BOE, EU Regulation 650/2012, Serbian Ministry of Justice.
Property Registration
- Draft acceptance/partition deeds with inventories and allocations.
- Register properties in Spain and Serbia.
- Remote representation: powers of attorney and legalizations as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Determine applicable law, collect documents, legalize and translate them, appoint a notary, settle taxes in each country, and complete property registration.
Follow these steps: applicable law → documents (certificates, apostille, translations) → notary/representation → taxes (Spain and Serbia) → deeds and registration.
Death certificates, last wills, inventories, apostilles, and sworn translations if documents are foreign.
In Spain (ISD and municipal taxes if applicable) and in Serbia according to local law and bilateral tax treaties.
Yes. Notaries accept powers of attorney, and all documents can be legalized for remote submission.
Conclusion
If you are asking “how to manage an inheritance in Serbia?”, it is highly recommended to seek professional guidance. Grupo Hereda provides comprehensive support for national and international inheritance cases, ensuring that heirs’ rights are fully protected. Their legal experts handle everything from heir identification to document processing and property registration, making the process safe, transparent, and efficient.
Legal References
- EU Regulation 650/2012 on international succession
- Spanish Civil Code – Inheritance Law
- Serbian Ministry of Justice – Inheritance Procedures
Grupo Hereda
Grupo Hereda is a law firm specialized in international and national inheritances, with more than 25 years of experience handling complex succession cases.
We assist with inheritances in Iceland involving heirs in Spain, as well as inheritances in Spain with beneficiaries residing in Iceland or other countries.
Our legal team coordinates every phase of the process from obtaining certificates and apostilles to settling taxes and registering assets in the corresponding registries.
If you’re unsure how to manage an inheritance in Iceland Grupo Hereda guides you step by step, offering comprehensive legal advice and remote representation.
We also manage all types of international and national inheritances, ensuring legal security and time efficiency.
💬 Free Consultation:
If you are facing a complex inheritance or don’t know where to start, don’t give up your rights.
Contact us, and we will find a personalized solution for your case.
📞 Call us: (+34) 915 487 550
📧 Email: info@grupohereda.com
🌍 We operate throughout Spain and handle international inheritances across Europe and beyond the EU.
