Foreign will

If a person residing in the Netherlands or a person of Dutch nationality dies, it is not obvious that Dutch law will apply to his entire estate. If this person has assets abroad, foreign law may apply to those assets. This may also be the case if you are a Dutchman living abroad or you are a non-Dutchman living in the Netherlands. Whether other law applies is determined at the time of death by private international law.

In a situation with international aspects, it may be necessary to make a will abroad in addition to the one you make in the Netherlands because the Dutch will has no effect there. Within the European Union, this is generally not necessary as the European Regulation on Inheritance Law stipulates that the entire estate is inherited according to the inheritance law of the testator's place of residence or, if you choose to do so, his nationality.

For more information on international aspects and/or a will abroad, please contact us. We will be happy to advise you.