The Erbschafts-Navigator describes German inheritance and gift tax scenarios. The recommendations are based on German law. For cross-border situations, additional advice in your home jurisdiction may be needed.
German Inheritance & Succession
Do you know what your
heirs will face?
Most families only find out at the worst moment. A six-week deadline, the Finanzamt asking questions, no plan. This navigator shows you in a few minutes where you stand and what to do.
72%
have no current Vorsorgevollmacht (power of attorney)
6 wk.
to disclaim the inheritance after notice (§ 1944 BGB)
3 mo.
until the Finanzamt expects the Erbschaftsteuer return
400k
EUR Freibetrag per child, renewable every 10 years (§ 16 ErbStG)
Erbfall (inheritance event)
Settle the estate
Someone has died. The clock is ticking. 6 weeks to disclaim, 3 months for the Finanzamt. Action is required now.
Schenkung (lifetime gift)
Transfer wealth
Move assets before the Finanzamt takes its share. 400,000 EUR Freibetrag every ten years per child. Timing decides the result.
Nachfolge (succession)
Shape the future
Your company should outlive you. Who takes over, what it costs, and how to use § 13a ErbStG (business asset relief).
Vermoegensschutz (asset protection)
Secure value
Divorce, insolvency, creditors. How to structure your wealth before it is too late.
Check the Notfallkoffer (emergency kit) first?
Before you dive into the details, make sure the basics are in place: powers of attorney, account list, passwords. The free self-check takes five minutes.
Erbschaftsteuer calculator
Freibetrag, Steuerklasse (tax class) and estimated tax in seconds. Interactive, free of charge and with statute references (§§).
Regional · 16 Bundeslaender (German federal states)
Inheritance law in your own Bundesland
Grunderwerbsteuer (real-estate transfer tax), competent Finanzaemter (tax offices), Nachlassgerichte (probate courts) and the Notar (notary) system differ from one Bundesland to the next. The regional overview shows the offices and rates relevant to you.
Solid legal basis
Based on current ErbStG, BGB and BewG with direct statute (§§) references.
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First orientation
A solid starting point. Individual advice still required for concrete cases.