The first steps
Establish who the heirs are, through a will or a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein). Secure the property, inform the buildings insurer and keep an eye on running costs. An inheritance can be disclaimed within six weeks of becoming aware of it, for example if the debts exceed the value.
Updating the land register
With proof of succession, you apply to have the land register (Grundbuch) corrected. Within two years of the death, this is free of charge. A notarised will with a record of its opening often replaces the certificate of inheritance.
Inheritance tax and allowances
Spouses have a tax-free allowance of €500,000, children €400,000 and grandchildren €200,000. The owner-occupied family home can be inherited tax-free under certain conditions. Lifetime gifts can help you use allowances several times, as they renew every ten years.
The community of heirs
Several heirs decide together. A neutral valuation provides a fair basis for the discussion: does one heir take over the property and buy out the others, or is it sold? A partition auction (Teilungsversteigerung) takes time and usually yields less than an open-market sale.
Sell or keep
With inherited property, you take over the deceased's acquisition date. If the purchase was more than ten years ago, a sale is tax-free. We also support heirs who do not live in Dresden and keep everyone involved equally informed.
This guide provides a general overview and does not replace legal, tax or financing advice.






