What happens if I miss a deadline?

Fines, loss of insurance benefits or unlimited liability for the deceased's debts.

When is inheritance tax due?

Usually 6-12 months after the death – discuss extensions with the tax office early.

When are bank accounts unfrozen?

Only after a valid certificate of inheritance is presented. Funeral costs can usually still be paid from the account before that.

What about foreign assets?

Foreign deadlines apply on top of local ones – seek cross-border legal advice.

Deadlines after a death Austria: every date at a glance

<p>After a death in Austria many deadlines run in parallel – from registration at the registry office (Standesamt) to inheritance tax. Losing track risks fines or forfeited insurance benefits. This guide lists every deadline in chronological order with the competent authority. The <a href="/app" class="text-primary underline">Wegbegleiter App</a> sends the reminders automatically.</p>

Immediately: the first hours

A death in Austria triggers a chain of deadlines. Within the first hours a doctor must be called (emergency 144) to issue the medical death certificate – the basis for every later step.

1-3 days: register the death

Registration with the registry office (Standesamt) happens within 1 working day. The official death certificate is then issued – order 6-10 originals for the bank, insurers, certificate of inheritance, landlord and employer. In Austria every estate is settled by a court-appointed notary (Gerichtskommissär), even for small estates.

usually within 5 days: funeral

Funerals in Austria are usually held usually within 5 days. Within that window you appoint the funeral director, choose the type of burial and arrange the ceremony.

2 weeks: authorities, banks, insurers

Within two weeks notify:

Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA) – stop payments, claim survivor benefits
Health and long-term-care insurance
Banks and building societies
Life, accident and funeral insurance
Employer, landlord, utilities, telecoms, subscriptions

Most contracts do not end automatically – cancel them in writing.

Inheritance: estate proceedings via a notary

If you have doubts about the estate, renounce within estate proceedings via a notary – otherwise you become liable for debts. You may also request a public inventory.

3-12 months: taxes and distribution

About three months for the deceased's final income-tax return. The inheritance-tax return must usually be filed within 6-12 months of death – in Austria normally with the tax office at the last residence. Only after paying the tax can accounts, property and securities be definitively transferred.

The Wegbegleiter App reminds you of every deadline with a country-specific timeline.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly must a death be reported in Austria?: Registration with the registry office (Standesamt) happens within 1 working day; the funeral director usually handles it.
What happens if I miss a deadline?: Fines, loss of insurance benefits or unlimited liability for the deceased's debts.
When is inheritance tax due?: Usually 6-12 months after the death – discuss extensions with the tax office early.
When are bank accounts unfrozen?: Only after a valid certificate of inheritance is presented. Funeral costs can usually still be paid from the account before that.
What about foreign assets?: Foreign deadlines apply on top of local ones – seek cross-border legal advice.

Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments

Checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.

Open the app Open emergency folder