Inheriting from abroad
You are entitled to your Czech inheritance — even from the other side of the world
Czech probate is conducted in Czech, under Czech law, before a Czech notary. PEERS guides foreign heirs through every step — entirely in English, without requiring you to travel to Prague.
Why it is difficult
The six challenges foreign heirs face
These are the issues that consistently catch foreign heirs off-guard — and where having the right adviser makes the difference.
Language barrier
Czech probate proceedings, court decisions, and official correspondence are in Czech only. Every document submitted to the notary or court must be in Czech or accompanied by a certified Czech translation.
Tight deadlines you may not know about
You typically have one month from the notary's notification to disclaim inheritance or raise objections. Czech limitation periods run regardless of where you live — a missed deadline is usually irreversible.
Complex document requirements
Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and powers of attorney must be apostilled and translated. Getting the formalities wrong causes costly delays at the notary's hearing.
Probate without you in the room
The notary holds a formal heirs' conference that you are expected to attend or be represented at. Without a properly authorised Czech lawyer, you may be treated as having renounced your share.
Conflicting national laws
EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 determines which country's law governs your inheritance. The answer is not always obvious — and choosing the wrong assumption can cost you rights you were legally entitled to.
Assets you don't know about
Czech bank accounts, real property, business interests, and pension entitlements may not be visible to a foreign heir. Identifying and protecting all assets requires active investigation in Czech registries.
Our scope
What we do for foreign heirs
PEERS handles the full spectrum of Czech inheritance work — from identifying the estate and advising on your rights, through probate representation and post-probate asset transfers.
- Assess which law governs your inheritance under EU Regulation 650/2012
- Identify and communicate with the Czech notary handling the estate
- Advise on your share and rights — including forced heirship (nepominutelný podíl)
- Represent you at the heirs' conference by power of attorney
- Draft and review the agreement on settlement of the estate
- Obtain the certificate of inheritance and update land-registry title
- Advise on or challenge the validity of any will
- Investigate undisclosed assets in Czech registries and databases
- Handle disputes with co-heirs, creditors, or third parties
- Advise on the sale or transfer of inherited Czech real estate
- Issue the European Certificate of Succession for use in other EU member states
How it works
Four steps from first contact to resolved estate
Describe your situation
Fill in the short enquiry form — tell us who died, roughly where the assets are, and your relationship to the deceased. No documents required at this stage.
Free initial review
We review the nature of the matter, identify the governing law, check for conflicts of interest, and confirm whether we can assist. No charge for this.
Written scope and fee proposal
If we can help, you receive a clear written proposal — scope of work, fee structure, and next steps. No paid work begins until you have agreed to the terms in writing.
Representation — entirely in English
We handle the Czech proceedings on your behalf. You receive regular updates in plain English. All communication with notaries, courts, and registries is managed by us.
Questions
Frequently asked by foreign heirs
Do I need to travel to the Czech Republic?
No. We can represent you throughout the entire probate process under a notarised and apostilled power of attorney. Most of our foreign-heir clients never visit Prague.
Which law governs my inheritance?
Under EU Succession Regulation 650/2012, the law of the country where the deceased was habitually resident at the time of death applies. For a Czech resident, Czech law governs — regardless of your nationality.
I was excluded from the will. Do I have any rights?
Possibly. Czech law protects children (and remoter descendants) as forced heirs entitled to a minimum share — even if a valid will excludes them. The rules are strict but enforceable.
How long does Czech probate take?
For straightforward estates: typically six to twelve months. Complex estates, disputed wills, or uncooperative co-heirs can extend this to two or more years.
What does a power of attorney need to say?
It must expressly authorise representation in inheritance proceedings, including attending the heirs' conference, signing the record, and accepting the inheritance. It must be notarised in your country and bear an Apostille. We provide a template.
Are there Czech inheritance taxes?
No. The Czech Republic abolished inheritance tax in 2014. Heirs pay no tax on inherited property. Income generated by the assets after they are inherited is subject to normal Czech income-tax rules.
Further reading
Key guides for foreign heirs
The Complete Guide for Foreign Heirs
Everything from which law applies to obtaining the certificate of inheritance — in plain English.
Read guideEU Succession Regulation 650/2012 Explained
How the EU Regulation determines which country's law governs your inheritance.
Read guidePower of Attorney for Czech Probate
Exactly what the POA must say, how to get it authenticated, and how to avoid delays.
Read guideReady to find out where you stand?
Describe your situation in a few lines. We will review it and let you know whether we can assist — at no charge and with no obligation.