European Certificate of Succession
EU Succession Certificate for Estates with Assets in Spain
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European Certificate of Succession: Proving Heirship Across EU Borders
When a person dies owning assets in Spain and other EU countries, proving who the heirs are and what their rights are can become a technical issue. This is where the European Certificate of Succession (ECS) becomes essential.
The ECS is a standardised EU document that allows heirs, legatees and executors to prove their status and rights in different Member States without needing to repeat probate procedures in each country.
We assist foreign families, executors, notaries and solicitors in determining whether an ECS is appropriate in their case, obtaining it in the competent EU country, and using it effectively before Spanish notaries, registries and financial institutions.
Our Expertise with the European Certificate of Succession
We focus on cross-border estates within the European Union, where the ECS plays a key role in connecting different legal systems. Our legal team assists with:
- Assessing whether the ECS is needed for a specific estate involving Spanish assets.
- Identifying the competent country and authority to issue the ECS under EU Succession Regulation rules.
- Coordinating with foreign notaries, courts or probate lawyers to prepare the ECS application and supporting documents.
- Using the ECS in Spain before notaries, Land Registries and banks to transfer property and release funds.
Our aim is to turn a potentially fragmented EU inheritance into a single, coherent and workable procedure, with Spain fully integrated into the wider estate strategy.
Why Our ECS Support Makes a Difference
We bridge the gap between EU-level rules and the practical reality of dealing with Spanish assets and institutions.
01
Deep knowledge of EU Succession Regulation
We understand how the ECS fits within the EU framework and how it affects estates with Spanish property.
02
Practical focus on Spanish assets
We go beyond theory and concentrate on how the ECS is actually used with Spanish notaries, registries and banks.
03
Coordination with foreign professionals
We work alongside your local solicitors, notaries and executors so the ECS supports your overall inheritance plan.
04
Clear guidance for families
We explain what the certificate does, what it does not do, and how it protects the position of each heir.
Who Can Benefit from an ECS in Spain?
We assist individuals and professionals dealing with cross-border estates where Spain is part of the picture, including:
- Heirs of EU citizens with property in Spain.
- Families where the deceased lived in another EU country but owned Spanish assets.
- Executors and administrators handling estates with multi-country elements.
- EU notaries and courts needing Spanish input on the estate.
- Law firms coordinating cross-border succession planning and administration.
If you are unsure whether an ECS is appropriate for your case, you can contact us and receive clear, scenario-based guidance.
The European Certificate of Succession is a powerful tool — when it is correctly planned and used.
We help you integrate the ECS into your wider estate strategy so that Spanish assets are dealt with smoothly, legally and in line with your rights as an heir or executor.
How We Help You with the ECS
A structured approach to making the ECS work in practice for Spanish estates:
1
Case assessment
We analyse the deceased’s habitual residence, the applicable law and the location of the assets to determine whether an ECS is appropriate and which authority is competent.
2
Preparation of the ECS application
We work with your local notary, court or solicitors to prepare the necessary forms, evidence and certifications required for the ECS in the issuing country.
3
Using the ECS in Spain
Once issued, we present the ECS before Spanish notaries, Land Registries and banks so that heirship and powers are recognised without duplicating probate procedures.
4
Ongoing support for the estate
We assist with the subsequent steps in Spain: inheritance acceptance deeds, tax filings and registration of ownership, ensuring that the ECS is fully reflected in the Spanish legal reality.
Contact our team
We are here to help you navigate your legal or administrative matter in Spain.
If you need personalised guidance, you can send us a short message and our team will:
- Review your enquiry
- Clarify the steps and requirements
- Identify what you can do next
- Provide direct assistance suited to your situation