Making a Spanish Will as a Foreign National: Why a One-Hour Appointment Now Prevents a Year of Disputes Later

Every foreign national who owns property, holds a bank account or has any other substantial economic interest in Spain should make a Spanish will. The cost is modest — typically €60 to €120 for the notarial fee, plus a small registration cost — and the appointment takes around an hour. The benefits are substantial: the testator can choose the law of their nationality under EU Regulation 650/2012, avoiding Spanish forced-heir rules; the Spanish will is registered with the central registry in Madrid and is automatically retrievable after death; the procedure for the heirs is dramatically simpler than the alternative of using a foreign will that requires apostille, sworn translation and additional notarial certifications. This article explains the practical mechanics of making a Spanish will as a foreign national, what the will should contain, how to coordinate it with an existing will in the testator’s home country, the typical drafting choices for British, American, German, Dutch, French and Irish testators, and the registration with the Registro Central de Últimas Voluntades. A dedicated inheritance lawyer in Spain drafts the bilingual document and arranges the notarial appointment in a single visit.