Inheritance across borders
When a family spans several countries, an inheritance rarely stays in one of them. A flat in Kaunas, savings in Dublin, heirs in London and Oslo: which country’s law applies, who deals with the estate and how you accept it from abroad all depend on EU rules and Lithuanian law. Some deadlines are short, so it pays to start early.
Discuss your situationWhat we can help with
- Accepting or refusing an inheritance in Lithuania while you live abroad, including through a power of attorney
- Working out which country’s law governs the estate and which notary or court deals with it
- Dealing with the notary: the certificate of inheritance, the European Certificate of Succession and registering property
- Wills for international families, including choosing the law of your nationality
- Disputes between heirs: the reserved share, challenging a will and dividing the estate
Guides on this topic
Inheriting property in Lithuania when you live abroad
A relative has died leaving a flat, land or money in Lithuania and you live abroad. How to accept the inheritance, the deadlines and what you can do remotely.
Read the guideWhich country's law applies to an inheritance
The EU Succession Regulation in plain English: habitual residence, choosing the law of your nationality, and what changes for the UK, Ireland or Norway.
Read the guideInheritance tax in Lithuania
Who pays inheritance tax in Lithuania, the 5% and 10% rates, why spouses, children, parents and siblings pay nothing, and what changes if you live abroad.
Read the guideThe European Certificate of Succession
What the European Certificate of Succession proves, when you need it, who issues it in Lithuania and the countries where it does not work.
Read the guideDeadlines, refusing an inheritance and the deceased's debts
The three-month deadline to accept or refuse an inheritance in Lithuania, liability for the deceased's debts, accepting by inventory, and missed deadlines.
Read the guideWills for international families
Making a will when family or property is in several countries: choosing the law of your nationality, Lithuanian wills, joint wills and heirs without a will.
Read the guideInheritance disputes: the reserved share and challenging a will
Inheritance disputes in Lithuania: the reserved share, challenging a will or another heir's certificate, the one-year deadline and dividing property.
Read the guideOther topics:Divorce in Lithuania · Children and parenting across borders · Property and maintenance · Court papers and documents
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