If you are a foreign heir who has inherited German assets, having a tax clearance certificate, or “Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung” (a “certificate of non objection”) is required to allow the banks to transfer those assets abroad. The Undebenklichkeitsbescheinigung is usually sent by the German tax authorities to the respective banks. This action allows the inheritance to be given to the executor and beneficiaries. To gain this tax clearance certificate, the executor or the heirs must submit the required paperwork and pay applicable German inheritance tax.
At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our legal team is ready to advise and support you regarding the Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung. Please, do not hesitate to contact us directly for expert support on related matters.
Inheritance Tax in Germany: Legal Advice
The inheritance law team at Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte is ready to advise you with inheritance tax in Germany. Inheritance tax rates apply on a federal level and relate to the deceased’s valuable assets, savings, and property. The inheritance tax rate used is based on the heir’s relationship to the deceased, with close relations such as spouses and children paying less in tax than those more distantly related.
There are three groups of relationships, and the tax rate applied, and tax-free allowances are based on these categories.
Group 1:
- Spouse/civil partner
- Children – including adopted children and stepchildren
- Grandchildren
- Parents and ancestors
Group 2:
- Siblings
- Relatives by marriage, such as sons and daughters in law, step-parents and parents-in-law
- Divorced spouses
Group 3:
- Friends and others
There are differences within the groups regarding the tax-free allowance applicable. Spouses, for example, have a tax-free allowance of up to €500,000, while children, stepchildren, grandchildren/great-grandchildren have a tax free-allowance of €400,000. On the other hand, parents and grandparents have a tax-free allowance of €100,000. All these relationships belong in Group 1 but still have significant differences in the tax-free allowance. In Groups 2 and 3, such as siblings, relatives by marriage and friends, the tax-free allowance is €20,000.
The groups above also determine the inheritance tax rate applicable in the case. Inheritance tax in Germany varies from 7% to 50% and is based on the inheritance value. Those in Group 1 pay a lower rate of inheritance tax than those in the other groups consistently.
| Value of Inheritance | Group-1 | Group-2 | Group-3 |
| Up to €75,000 | 7% | 15% | 30% |
| €75,000–€300,000 | 11% | 20% | 30% |
| €300,000–€600,000 | 15% | 25% | 30% |
| €600,000–€6,000,000 | 19% | 30% | 30% |
| €6,000,000–€13,000,000 | 23% | 35% | 50% |
| €13,000,000–€26,000,000 | 27% | 40% | 50% |
| More than €26,000,000 | 30% | 43% | 50% |
To outline how this table works, we can use the following example: The deceased’s niece inherits €4500,000. Under this table, the first € 20,000 is tax-free; however, the amount after that (€430,000) is taxed at 25 %, as a niece is under Group 2.
If you find yourself in a legal dispute regarding German inheritance tax or the applicable assets to be taxed under German law, our inheritance law team is ready to apply their knowledge and experience to assist you.
Our team also supports heirs with the process of paying inheritance tax. Generally, heirs or executors have one month to file an inheritance tax return. Our lawyers will guide you through that process if an extension is needed. Our team can also inform you of ways to reduce the inheritance tax liability in Germany.
Property Inheritance in Germany
If a property makes up part of the inheritance, the tax situation can become more complicated as estate tax rules may also apply. Properties can be exempt from estate tax if the property was the family residence before the passing of the deceased and if it’s inherited by their spouse and the intention is that it will be used as the family home for the next ten years. The property in question should be within the European Union for this exemption to apply. If the property is to be liable to estate tax, its value will be based on the fair market value at the time of the deceased’s passing.
When inheriting a property in Germany, heirs have six weeks to decide on whether to accept or reject a property. Although inheriting property may sound promising, it can also lead to significant problems. These problems include:
- does the heir has straightforward access to the property?
- Can it be used for the purpose in mind?
- What is the cost of restoring it?
- Can the property be further developed?
Our inheritance law team is ready to advise you regarding inheriting a property in Germany.
Tax Clearance Certificate (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung) Applications
The tax clearance certificate is required by banks to transfer assets to heirs based abroad. If the bank pays the money without receiving the tax clearance certificate and without the inheritance taxes being paid, the German tax office can make the bank itself liable. The German tax office responsible for inheritance tax provides the tax clearance certificate (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung) once they have examined the documents and determined that there is no inheritance tax due.
Similarly, insurance companies that pay an insurance sum abroad without ensuring that the inheritance tax is paid can be found liable for the tax on the amount paid. Estate administrators, executors, trustees and notaries face similar problems if they intentionally or negligently transfer the assets abroad before payment of the inheritance tax. However, this liability does not arise in cases where the amount paid out does not exceed €600 per § 20 ErbStG.
At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our inheritance law team regularly assists international clients with their inheritance taxes and oversees the process of obtaining the Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung. Contact our team directly for further support.
Your German Inheritance Law Specialist
Your German
Inheritance Law Specialist
As an attorney for inheritance law, Dr. Bichat offers comprehensive legal advice and representation on all legal issues that become relevant for heirs and testators before and after an inheritance. Whether in drafting wills, business succession or estate planning, he will support you expertly and with the necessary commitment.
Dr. Bichat is considered a proven expert in complex inheritance cases with international ramifications: Clients worldwide rely on his expertise and negotiating skills.
Contact our Lawyers for German Inheritance Law
Please use our online form to outline your request to us. After receiving your request, we will make a brief initial assessment based on the facts described and provide you with a cost offer. You can then decide whether you would like to engage our services.
