Managing an Inheritance in Italy: What You Need to Know if You Live Abroad
Receiving an inheritance can involve a number of legal, tax and administrative requirements, particularly when the heirs live in another country and the estate includes property, bank accounts or other assets located in Italy.
In these circumstances, identifying the assets that form part of the estate is only the beginning. You also need to understand which procedures must be followed, which documents need to be obtained and which tax and administrative requirements apply under Italian law.
For those living abroad, distance can make even seemingly straightforward tasks more complicated, from obtaining documents and checking a property’s cadastral records to dealing with Italian authorities and professionals or simply understanding which formalities actually apply.
Having a point of contact in Italy can therefore be particularly helpful in coordinating the different aspects of the process and identifying the right professionals for your individual circumstances.
Managing an Inheritance in Italy: Where Should You Start?
The first step is to establish a clear picture of the deceased’s circumstances and identify the assets and rights that need to be taken into account.
Every estate is different. It may include, for example:
- Property and land
- Bank accounts
- Company shareholdings
- Receivables
- Other assets or rights located in Italy
At the same time, the heirs’ individual circumstances need to be considered and the relevant documentation collected.
This initial assessment is important because it helps determine which procedures are actually required and which professionals, if any, need to be involved.
Not every inheritance involves the same level of complexity. An estate consisting of a single property, for example, may require different checks from one that includes several assets, bank accounts and other rights.
What Documents Might Be Required?
The documents required will depend on the deceased’s personal and financial circumstances.
The information and documents that may need to be reviewed include:
- Documents relating to the deceased
- Documents and information relating to the heirs
- Property documentation
- Cadastral records
- Information relating to land and other assets
- Bank accounts held in the deceased’s name
- Any other rights or financial assets
- Documentation required for tax purposes
Before proceeding, it is therefore advisable to review the estate as a whole rather than treating the inheritance process as a single, isolated administrative formality.
Managing an Inheritance in Italy: the Italian Declaration of Succession
One of the main formalities is the Italian declaration of succession.
According to the Italian Revenue Agency, where a declaration is required, it must be submitted within 12 months of the date on which the succession opens, which will generally be the date of death. Where the estate includes property, the declaration may also include a request to update the relevant cadastral records.
The declaration is normally submitted electronically and may also be filed through an authorised intermediary. In exceptional circumstances, people living abroad who are unable to submit it electronically may use a paper form, in accordance with the procedures established by the Italian Revenue Agency.
It is important to remember that filing the declaration is only one part of the overall administration of the estate. Depending on the assets involved, further checks and formalities may also be necessary.
Inheritance in Italy: Property, Cadastral Records and Land Registers
Particular attention is required when the estate includes a house, flat, land or other real estate in Italy.
The available records and supporting documentation need to be checked so that any necessary formalities can be identified and the relevant property information correctly updated.
Through the Italian Revenue Agency’s online procedure, the declaration can also be used to request the automatic updating of the cadastral registration of properties forming part of the estate.
This can be particularly important when an heir living abroad has only partial documentation or does not have a clear picture of the cadastral status of the property in Italy.
Before proceeding, it is therefore useful to establish:
- Which properties are involved
- What documentation is available
- The relevant cadastral details
- Whether any matters require further investigation
- Which records need to be updated
What Happens to the Deceased’s Bank Accounts?
If the deceased held bank accounts in Italy, these also need to be considered as part of the inheritance process.
Documentation relating to bank accounts and other financial relationships may be required to establish the composition of the estate and complete the relevant formalities.
The Italian Revenue Agency also states that proof that the declaration of succession has been filed may be used, for example, in connection with the release of funds held in the deceased’s name by financial institutions.
Here too, however, the individual circumstances should be assessed before deciding which steps are required.
If the Heirs Live Abroad
This is often where managing an inheritance becomes more complex.
Someone living outside Italy may need to deal with several different parties, obtain documents issued in Italy, check the status of a property located in another city or navigate procedures with which they are entirely unfamiliar.
Where the deceased also lived abroad, specific rules apply to determine which Italian Revenue Agency office is responsible for handling the declaration.
For this reason, having a single point of contact in Italy can make the process easier to coordinate, particularly where professionals with different areas of expertise need to be involved.
Inheritance in Italy: How Can Italy Proservice Help?
Managing an inheritance from abroad often means coordinating legal, tax and administrative matters and, where property is involved, technical matters as well.
Italy Proservice works with a network of professionals specialising in legal, tax, administrative, technical, notarial and business matters, bringing together the appropriate expertise according to the requirements of each individual case.
We can help you assess your situation, identify the steps that need to be taken and, where required, coordinate professionals with the appropriate expertise.
In particular, we can assist with reviewing and managing matters including:
- Documentation relating to the deceased and the heirs
- Assets and rights located in Italy
- Property documentation and cadastral records
- Bank accounts
- The declaration of succession
- Taxes and related tax obligations
- Cadastral and property record updates
- Coordination with the professionals required
Our aim is to ensure that people living abroad do not have to navigate unfamiliar procedures, authorities and administrative requirements on their own.
Have You Inherited Assets in Italy While Living Abroad?
Every inheritance begins with a different set of circumstances. For this reason, the first step is to establish exactly which assets, documents and parties are involved before deciding which procedures need to be followed.
Tell us about your situation. We can assess your requirements, identify the relevant formalities and coordinate the professional expertise needed to manage your inheritance in Italy.
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