Foreigners often inherit or invest in property in Bilbao — whether through family ties, retirement, or business opportunities. But inheritance conflicts and real estate disputes can arise, especially when wills are unclear or Spanish succession law hasn’t been followed. This article explains how foreign heirs and property owners can resolve property and inheritance disputes in Bilbao, even from abroad.
📜 1. Common Inheritance & Property Conflicts
Foreign individuals often face legal issues involving:
-
📄 Multiple or conflicting wills (Spanish vs. foreign)
-
🧑🤝🧑 Disinherited children or spouses under Spanish law
-
🏘️ Shared ownership of inherited property
-
🔐 Occupation or misuse of inherited property
-
💼 Claims by siblings, ex-spouses, or creditors
📌 Bilbao’s strong real estate market makes property inheritance especially contentious in areas like Abando, Deusto, and Getxo.
⚖️ 2. What Law Applies to Inheritance in Bilbao?
Under EU Regulation 650/2012, the default law is:
-
The law of the deceased’s habitual residence
-
Unless they specified another nationality’s law in their will
⚠️ If Spanish law applies:
-
Forced heirship rules must be followed
-
Children are entitled to two-thirds of the estate
-
Spouses receive a usufruct right (life interest in property)
✅ Foreign heirs can challenge a will if Spanish law was improperly avoided.
🏛️ 3. Where Are Inheritance Disputes Handled?
These cases go to:
-
Juzgados de Primera Instancia de Bilbao
(civil court for property division, probate disputes, etc.)
Cases may include:
-
División judicial de la herencia (judicial estate division)
-
Will validity disputes (fraud, coercion, incapacity)
-
Property title challenges and registration disputes
🌍 4. Can Foreign Heirs Litigate From Abroad?
Yes. The process can be done 100% remotely with:
-
🪪 Passport and NIE (if applicable)
-
📜 Will (Spanish or foreign)
-
🧾 Death certificate and property titles
-
✍️ Power of attorney (POA) for a Bilbao lawyer
-
📄 Sworn translations (if needed)
📌 All documents can be submitted digitally — no need to travel to Spain.
👨💼 How Borderless Lawyers Supports Foreign Heirs
We provide:
-
👩⚖️ Trusted inheritance litigation lawyers in Bilbao
-
🌐 Multilingual support (English, French, Dutch, German, etc.)
-
📋 Help verifying will validity and property claims
-
✍️ Guidance on POA, translation, and court filings
-
🧾 Remote representation from beginning to end
📩 Conclusion & CTA
If you’re a foreign heir or property co-owner dealing with a conflict in Bilbao, don’t wait to assert your rights. Spanish courts offer strong protections — and with the right legal team, you can resolve disputes without leaving your home country.
👉 Involved in an inheritance dispute in Bilbao?
Contact Borderless Lawyers today to be matched with a local litigation expert who defends foreign heirs in Basque courts.