The unavoidable first step after inheriting a property is to officially accept the inheritance in Spain. This legal procedure makes you the rightful owner and enables you to sell or rent the property. Without this step, the property legally remains in the deceased's name, and no transactions can be made.

The Deed of Acceptance of Inheritance

The act of accepting an inheritance is formalized by signing a Deed of Acceptance and Adjudication of Inheritance before a Spanish notary. This document details the following key points:

• Identification of the deceased and the heirs.
• An inventory of all inherited assets (including the real estate property, bank accounts, etc.).
• The allocation of these assets to each heir as stipulated in the will or, in its absence, by law.

Required Documents for the Notary

To sign the deed of acceptance, you will need to gather and present several documents, including:

• Death Certificate.
• Certificate of Last Will and Testament.
• An authorized copy of the Will (if it exists).
• Heirs' identification documents (Passport and NIE).
• Original title deed of the property and the latest IBI receipt.

The process of accepting an inheritance in Spain can be complex, especially if you are a non-resident. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have legal advice to ensure all steps are correctly followed, managing the process with a Power of Attorney if needed.