Quick Overview
When a parent dies in the Netherlands, you must register the death at the Gemeente (municipality) within 6 working days and obtain multiple certified death certificates (overlijdensakte). Inheritance requires checking the Central Will Registry (Centraal Testamentenregister) through a notaris, who then issues a Verklaring van Erfrecht (Certificate of Inheritance) needed by banks and the Kadaster (Land Registry). You have 8 months to file inheritance tax (erfbelasting) with the Belastingdienst, though partners are exempt up to €723,526 and children up to €22,918 (2025 rates). Dutch law requires beneficiaire aanvaarding (acceptance with inventory) within 3 months if limiting liability for unknown debts.
Key Facts
Critical deadline
8 months to file inheritance tax (erfbelasting) with Belastingdienst
Total cost range
€5,500-11,000 (funeral €5,000-10,000 + notaris/legal €500-1,000)
Required professionals
Notaris (mandatory), Uitvaartondernemer (funeral director), Belastingadviseur (complex estates)
Timeline
3-6 months for complete process (simple estates without property)
Government agencies
Gemeente, Belastingdienst (Tax Authority), SVB (Social Insurance Bank), Kadaster
Tax exemptions
Partners: €723,526 / Children: €22,918 / Others: €2,418 (2025)
How It Works
What to Do When Someone Dies in Netherlands
The Dutch inheritance process combines efficient digital systems with mandatory notarial procedures and generous family tax exemptions. After a doctor issues the death declaration (verklaring van overlijden), the death must be registered at the local Gemeente within 6 working days to obtain the official death certificate (overlijdensakte). The Netherlands maintains a Central Will Registry (Centraal Testamentenregister/CTR) that all notarissen use, eliminating the need to search for wills - a notaris can check instantly whether a will exists and which notaris holds it. Without a will, Dutch intestate succession law applies, with spouses/partners and children as primary heirs. The notaris prepares a Verklaring van Erfrecht (Certificate of Inheritance) confirming legal heirs, which banks and the Kadaster require before releasing assets or transferring property. Heirs can accept inheritance fully, beneficiair (with inventory to limit liability), or reject it entirely via the court within 3 months. Inheritance tax must be filed within 8 months with the Belastingdienst, though the generous exemptions mean most direct family members pay little to no tax - partners are exempt up to €723,526, children up to €22,918 each. The unique Dutch advantages include the centralized will registry, mandatory 6-day funeral deadline encouraging quick action, and the beneficiaire aanvaarding system protecting heirs from unknown debts.
Critical actions in the first days
Obtain death certificate (overlijdensakte)
A doctor issues the death declaration (verklaring van overlijden), then register at the gemeente.
Contact funeral director (uitvaartondernemer)
An uitvaartondernemer handles funeral arrangements.
Notify employer if applicable
Inform employer to handle final salary and benefits.
Administrative and estate matters
Check Central Will Registry (CTR)
The Centraal Testamentenregister records if a will exists.
Request inheritance certificate (verklaring van erfrecht)
Certificate from notaris confirming who the heirs are.
Notify banks
Inform all banks about the death.
Notify insurance companies
Contact all insurers: life, health, home, car, liability.
Notify SVB and pension funds
Report death to SVB (Social Insurance Bank) and any pension providers.
Estate settlement
Decide on accepting or rejecting inheritance
You can accept fully, accept with benefit of inventory, or reject.
File inheritance tax return (erfbelasting)
Report inheritance to Belastingdienst.
Update Kadaster (land registry)
Transfer property ownership to heirs.
Cancel contracts and subscriptions
Terminate utilities, phone, internet, subscriptions.
Update BRP (population register)
Gemeente updates the Basisregistratie Personen.
Ongoing and longer-term tasks
Transfer or deregister vehicle
Transfer to heir via RDW or deregister.
Handle digital accounts
Email, social media, online banking, DigiD.
File final income tax return (aangifte)
File income tax for year of death.
What to Do When Someone Dies Costs in Netherlands (2025)
Complete funeral with uitvaartondernemer - check for uitvaartverzekering
From Gemeente - order at least 10 certified copies
CTR check through notaris
Certificate of Inheritance from notaris - shop around
Partners exempt to €723,526, children to €22,918 (2025)
Land registry update via notaris
Rechtbank fee to formally reject inheritance
Tax advisor for estates above exemptions
Lawyer for contested estates
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral services (uitvaart) | €5,000-10,000 | Complete funeral with uitvaartondernemer - check for uitvaartverzekering |
| Death certificates (10+ copies) | €14-20 per copy | From Gemeente - order at least 10 certified copies |
| Central Will Registry check | €15-25 | CTR check through notaris |
| Verklaring van erfrecht (notaris) | €400-800 | Certificate of Inheritance from notaris - shop around |
| Inheritance tax (erfbelasting) | €0 for most families | Partners exempt to €723,526, children to €22,918 (2025) |
| Kadaster property transfer | €100-200 per property | Land registry update via notaris |
| Court fee (if rejecting inheritance) | €130 | Rechtbank fee to formally reject inheritance |
| Belastingadviseur (complex estates) | €500-2,000 | Tax advisor for estates above exemptions |
| Advocaat (if disputes) | €1,500-5,000+ | Lawyer for contested estates |
| Total estimate | €5,500-11,000 for typical estates (funeral + notaris). Add tax only if inheritance exceeds exemptions. Complex estates with advisors: €7,000-15,000+. | |
*Dutch inheritance costs are relatively low due to generous tax exemptions and efficient systems. Most direct family members pay no inheritance tax. Prices current as of January 2025.
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