Planning your estate in Spain involves more than just writing a will. Here are some common pitfalls that expats should avoid:
1 - Not drafting a Spanish will – UK wills are valid in Spain, but not practical or efficient.
2 - Failing to apply foreign law – If you don’t state this explicitly, Spanish forced heirship laws apply.
3 - Ignoring inheritance tax implications – Spanish inheritance tax can be steep without planning.
4 - Overlooking jointly owned property – Spain may not recognize the “right of survivorship.”
5 - Poor translation – Misunderstandings can invalidate critical clauses.
Solution: Work with bilingual estate planners familiar with both Spanish and UK law. Getting it wrong can cost your loved ones thousands—and years of legal hassle.
