Do I have to pay inheritance tax in Tenerife?

Most close relatives receive a 99.9% inheritance tax reduction in Tenerife. This means spouses, children, parents, siblings and grandchildren usually pay almost no tax.

Do I need to travel to Tenerife to complete an inheritance?

No. Most heirs sign a Power of Attorney and the entire process can be completed without travelling to Tenerife.

How long does Tenerife inheritance take?

Most Tenerife inheritance cases take between 1 and 3 months if the death occurred in Spain, or 3 to 6 months if it occurred abroad.

Can I sell an inherited property in Tenerife?

Yes, but only after the inheritance deed has been signed and the property is registered in the heirs' names. All heirs must agree to the sale.

What documents do I need for a Tenerife inheritance?

You need a death certificate, Certificate of Last Wills, the will (if any), passports, NIE numbers, property deeds, and bank information where applicable.

Inheritance for Unmarried Couples in Tenerife (Pareja de Hecho Rules)

Quite a few couples in Tenerife live together without being married.

Nothing unusual about that. But when it comes to inheritance, the law doesn’t always see things the same way.

In many cases, a partner doesn’t automatically inherit anything unless a few formal steps have been taken first.

Here’s the simple version.

What Is a Pareja de Hecho?

In Spain, unmarried couples can register their relationship as a Pareja de Hecho.

Think of it as an officially recognised partnership.

In the Canary Islands, registered partners often receive similar treatment to married couples in certain areas, including inheritance tax.

But it’s not exactly the same as marriage, and the legal protections aren’t always identical.

If You Are Not Registered

If you simply live together without registering the relationship, the surviving partner usually has no automatic inheritance rights.

Without a will, the estate normally passes to the deceased person’s legal heirs instead. Usually children, parents, or other relatives.

Which can come as a bit of a shock for couples who’ve shared a home for years.

If You Are Registered as a Pareja de Hecho

Registering the partnership does give you stronger legal standing.

Registered partners generally:

Qualify for the 99.9% inheritance tax reduction in the Canary Islands
Have recognised legal status in many administrative procedures
Can inherit assets if they’re named in a will

However, Spain’s forced heirship rules may still apply unless the will specifies the law of the person’s nationality.

Why a Spanish Will Matters

For unmarried couples, having a Spanish will is particularly important.

It makes your wishes clear and avoids confusion later.

Without one, the surviving partner can end up dealing with unnecessary complications… especially if other family members are involved.

What Happens if There Are Children?

If the deceased has children, Spanish law normally requires that part of the estate passes to them.

That doesn’t always mean the surviving partner loses their home, but it can affect how the property is divided.

A properly written will can set out how the property should be used, shared, or eventually sold.

Which tends to make things much easier for everyone involved.

For unmarried couples, a bit of planning goes a long way.

Registering the partnership and putting a simple Spanish will in place can prevent a lot of problems later.