What to Do When Someone Dies in Italy: Death Certificates & Succession (2026)

The First 24 Hours

1. A doctor certifies the death. At home, call the guardia medica or the deceased's GP; in hospital the ward physician issues the certificate (constatazione di decesso). A separate ISTAT cause-of-death form is completed by the certifying doctor.
2. The death is declared to the Comune within 24 hours — in practice the funeral home (onoranze funebri) or hospital handles this declaration at the Ufficio di Stato Civile of the municipality where the death occurred.
3. Choose a funeral home. Italian funerals move quickly — burial or cremation typically takes place within 2-4 days. Costs range €2,000-6,000 for a standard funeral; cremation adds €500-1,000.

Death Certificates in Italy: Certificato di Morte

Death certificates in Italy are issued free of charge by the Comune (Ufficio di Stato Civile) where the death occurred or where the deceased was resident:

• Certificato di morte — the standard certificate (name, date, place)
• Estratto dell'atto di morte — the fuller extract, often required for inheritance and foreign use
• Copia integrale — complete copy of the register entry

How to get them: in person at the Comune, or by PEC email/registered mail with your ID and the deceased's details. Processing takes from same-day (in person) to 2-10 working days by mail. Order 5-10 copies — banks, insurers, the tax agency, and foreign authorities each want originals. For use abroad, request the international (multilingual) version or add an apostille.

The Succession: Dichiarazione di Successione (12-Month Deadline)

Heirs must file the dichiarazione di successione with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 12 months of the death. This declaration lists all assets (property, bank accounts, investments) and calculates the inheritance tax.

Italian inheritance tax (imposta di successione) rates:

Property also carries fixed cadastral/mortgage taxes (2% + 1%, or €200 each if an heir qualifies for prima casa relief). Compared to Spain's regional system, Italy's inheritance tax is famously mild — most spouses and children pay nothing beyond the property taxes. Compare with Spanish inheritance tax rates if the estate spans both countries.

Bank accounts freeze on notification of death and release only after the succession declaration is presented.

If You're Handling a Death in Italy from Abroad

• Contact the consulate of the deceased's nationality — they help with notifications and documents but do not pay costs.
• Appoint a local representative: an Italian notaio or lawyer can file the succession with power of attorney; you don't need to be present.
• Repatriation of remains runs €3,000-8,000 within Europe and requires consular mortuary passports — funeral homes with international service handle the paperwork.
• A foreign will is generally valid in Italy, but EU Succession Regulation (650/2012) rules determine which national law applies — usually the law of habitual residence unless the will elects nationality law.

Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Doctor certifies death (immediately)
2. Funeral home declares death to Comune (within 24 hours)
3. Funeral/cremation (days 2-4)
4. Order 5-10 death certificates from the Comune (week 1)
5. Notify banks, insurers, pension agencies (weeks 1-2)
6. Locate the will — check the notarial registry (Registro Generale dei Testamenti)
7. File dichiarazione di successione with Agenzia delle Entrate (within 12 months)
8. Re-register property and release bank funds (after filing)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an Italian death certificate take? Same day in person at the Comune; 2-10 working days by mail or PEC. Certificates are free.

How long do I have to file the succession in Italy? 12 months from the date of death. Late filing incurs penalties and interest on any tax due.

Do spouses pay inheritance tax in Italy? Rarely — each spouse and child has a €1 million allowance, with only 4% due above it.

Can I handle an Italian succession from abroad? Yes, through an Italian notaio or lawyer with power of attorney. Certificates can be requested remotely.

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This guide was last updated in July 2026. Verify procedures with the local Comune and the Agenzia delle Entrate.