Last Will and Testament in Spain
Friendly help arranging a Spanish will, including translation support, appointment guidance, practical preparation and clear advice to help make the process easier for you and your loved ones.
Arrange Your Spanish Will With Clear, Friendly Support
If you own property, assets or have financial interests in Spain, making a Spanish will can help make things much easier for your family later. Kellys Benidorm helps guide you through the process with practical support, translation help and appointment assistance.
What Is a Spanish Will?
A Spanish will is a legal document that sets out what should happen to your Spanish assets after you pass away. It is especially useful if you own property, vehicles, bank accounts or other assets in Spain.
Having a Spanish will can make the inheritance process much clearer for your family and may help reduce delays, confusion and unnecessary paperwork after death.
A Spanish will does not always have to replace a will in another country. In many cases, it can sit alongside your UK or foreign will, dealing specifically with your Spanish assets while your other will deals with assets elsewhere.
Who Should Consider a Spanish Will?
A Spanish will can be useful for anyone with assets or responsibilities in Spain. It is often recommended for people who live in Spain, own property in Spain or have family who may need to deal with Spanish inheritance paperwork in the future.
For people who own a house, apartment, villa or other property in Spain.
For people living in Spain who want their wishes recorded clearly.
For people who own a Spanish holiday home and want to avoid future complications.
For anyone with bank accounts, vehicles, property or financial interests in Spain.
For people who want to make things easier for their partner, children or beneficiaries.
For people who want their Spanish affairs organised clearly before they are ever needed.
Why Having a Spanish Will Can Help
Without a Spanish will, dealing with Spanish assets can become slower and more complicated for family members. Documents may need to be translated, legalised and processed through the Spanish inheritance system.
A Spanish will can help reduce the amount of paperwork your loved ones need to deal with and can make your wishes clearer when the time comes.
Benefits of a Spanish Will
- Helps make your wishes clearer
- Can make Spanish inheritance admin easier
- May reduce delays for your beneficiaries
- Can sit alongside a will in another country
- Useful if you own property or assets in Spain
- Helps avoid unnecessary confusion later
Without a Spanish Will
- Spanish inheritance paperwork can take longer
- Foreign wills may need legalisation
- Documents may need sworn translation
- Family members may face extra admin
- Spanish assets may be harder to deal with
- Costs and delays can increase
What Can a Spanish Will Cover?
A Spanish will is commonly used to cover assets located in Spain. This makes it easier for your beneficiaries to deal with those assets through the Spanish system.
It is often sensible to keep your Spanish will focused on Spanish assets, especially if you also have a will in another country. This helps avoid confusion between different legal systems.
Common Spanish Assets
- Spanish property
- Spanish bank accounts
- Vehicles in Spain
- Personal possessions in Spain
- Spanish investments where applicable
- Other assets held in Spain
Things to Think About
- Who should inherit your Spanish assets
- Whether you have a will in another country
- Whether your wishes are clear and up to date
- Whether names and passport details are correct
- Whether beneficiaries are properly identified
- Whether your Spanish assets have changed
Can You Have a UK Will and a Spanish Will?
Yes, many people choose to have a will in their home country and a separate Spanish will for their Spanish assets. This can make things easier because each will can deal with assets in the relevant country.
The important thing is that the wills are prepared carefully so they do not accidentally cancel each other out or create confusion. Clear wording matters.
Can be used to deal with assets located in Spain.
Can continue to deal with assets outside Spain, depending on your situation.
The wording should avoid creating conflict between different wills.
Separate wills can make cross-border inheritance admin easier when done properly.
A Spanish will should be prepared carefully if you already have a will elsewhere, so both documents work together properly.
Spanish Inheritance Deadlines
Spanish inheritance matters can involve strict deadlines. In many cases, there is a 6-month deadline to deal with inheritance tax after someone passes away.
Having a Spanish will can help your beneficiaries act more quickly because the will is easier to locate and use within the Spanish system.
There can be a 6-month deadline to pay inheritance tax. Having a Spanish will can help heirs avoid confusion, delays and possible penalties.
This is one of the main reasons people arrange a Spanish will even when they already have a will in the UK or another country. It can make the difficult moment slightly less tangled for the people left behind.
Spanish Wills and the Central Registry
Spanish wills are registered, which can make them easier to find when they are needed. This is different from relying only on a foreign will that may need to be located, legalised, translated and processed through extra steps.
The fact that Spanish wills can be found through the Spanish system is one of the practical advantages of having one in place.
Spanish wills can be found through the Spanish will registry system.
Beneficiaries may find it easier to deal with Spanish assets.
May reduce the need to rely only on foreign documents.
Can make the Spanish side of inheritance easier to manage.
Choosing Which Law Applies
One important part of making a Spanish will is understanding which country’s law should apply to your estate. For many foreign residents, this can be important because inheritance rules can be different between countries.
Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may be able to state that the law of your own country applies to your estate. This can help avoid being forced into Spanish inheritance rules that may not match your wishes.
Your own country’s laws may be able to apply, meaning you may not be forced to leave everything in a way that does not match your wishes.
This is an important area, so if your family situation is complicated, or you have assets in more than one country, it is sensible to get proper legal advice as well.
Translation and Appointment Support
Kellys Benidorm’s Last Will and Testament service includes translation and appointment support. This helps make the process easier if you are not confident with Spanish legal or notary wording.
The will can be prepared in two or more languages, helping you understand what you are signing and giving you more peace of mind before the appointment.
Included Support
- Translation support included
- Appointment support included
- Guidance on the process
- Help understanding what happens next
- Clear practical assistance
- Friendly support from Benidorm
Why Translation Helps
- You understand what you are signing
- Reduces confusion at the appointment
- Can help avoid mistakes
- Useful if Spanish is not your first language
- Gives more confidence before signing
- Helps make the process feel less intimidating
The Notary Appointment
A Spanish will is usually signed before a notary. The notary’s role is to make the document official and ensure the process is properly recorded.
The notary fee is paid separately from the Kellys Benidorm service fee. Kellys Benidorm helps with the translation and appointment side, while the official notary cost is separate.
The will is normally signed before a Spanish notary.
Appointment support is included in the Kellys Benidorm service.
The notary fee is paid separately from the service fee.
You may need valid identification documents for the appointment.
How the Spanish Will Process Works
The process is usually straightforward when everything is prepared properly. Kellys Benidorm helps you understand the steps, prepare the information and attend the appointment with more confidence.
Discuss Your Situation
We help understand whether you have Spanish assets, property, family considerations or existing wills elsewhere.
Gather Key Information
Beneficiary details, asset information and personal details are collected so the will can be prepared properly.
Prepare Translation Support
Translation support is arranged so you can understand the document and signing process clearly.
Arrange the Appointment
Appointment support is included so you know where to go, what to bring and what to expect.
Sign Before the Notary
The will is signed through the official process, usually before a Spanish notary.
Keep Your Records Safe
After signing, keep your documents and related information safe for your own records and your family.
Last Will and Testament Price
The Kellys Benidorm service fee for Last Will and Testament support is €100+.
This includes translation and appointment support. The notary fee is paid separately.
€100+ for Spanish will support.
Translation and appointment included. Notary fee paid separately.
Translation support is included in the Kellys Benidorm service.
The notary fee is paid separately from the service fee.
Common Mistakes With Spanish Wills
Spanish wills are usually easier to organise while everything is calm. Waiting until there is a problem can make matters much harder for family members later.
- Assuming a UK or foreign will will be simple to use in Spain.
- Not making a Spanish will despite owning property or assets in Spain.
- Forgetting that foreign wills may need legalisation and sworn translation.
- Not checking whether existing wills could conflict with each other.
- Leaving beneficiaries with unclear instructions.
- Not considering which country’s law should apply.
- Forgetting to update a will after marriage, divorce, death or major asset changes.
- Not keeping family members informed where appropriate.
- Waiting until illness or urgency makes the process more difficult.
What Happens After Your Spanish Will Is Signed?
Once your Spanish will is signed, it is important to keep your copy and related documents safe. You should also make sure the people who may need to deal with your affairs know that a Spanish will exists.
If your circumstances change in the future, such as buying or selling property, getting married, separating, losing a beneficiary or changing your wishes, you may need to update your will.
Store your will documents somewhere safe and accessible.
Let trusted family members or representatives know a Spanish will exists.
Update your will if your family, assets or wishes change.
Make sure your Spanish will and any foreign will continue to work together properly.
Last Will and Testament FAQs
How much does Kellys Benidorm charge?
The service fee is €100+. Translation and appointment included. Notary fee paid separately.
Is the notary fee included?
No. The notary fee is paid separately from the Kellys Benidorm service fee.
Can I have a UK will and a Spanish will?
Yes. Many people have a Spanish will for Spanish assets and a separate will elsewhere for assets outside Spain. The wording should be prepared carefully so the wills do not conflict.
Does a Spanish will cover my foreign assets?
It can be prepared to focus on Spanish assets. Many people prefer this so their foreign assets are handled by their will in another country.
Why is a Spanish will useful?
It can make dealing with Spanish assets easier for your beneficiaries and may help reduce delays, translation costs and confusion.
Does Kellys Benidorm include translation support?
Yes. Translation and appointment support are included in the Kellys Benidorm Last Will and Testament service.
Need Help Arranging Your Spanish Will?
Contact our friendly team and we will help you understand the process, appointment support, translation and next steps.
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