What to Do After a Death in Italy
Italian succession involves strict tax deadlines and several authorities. This English guide explains every step – from the first 24 hours to the succession declaration (<em>dichiarazione di successione</em>) within 12 months. Valid also for South Tyrol with bilingual German/Italian documents.
The first 24 hours
Call the family doctor or emergency number 118. The doctor issues the necroscopic certificate. At a hospital or care home, staff handle this. A funeral director (impresa di pompe funebri) handles most paperwork with the commune.
Registering the death
The death must be registered at the Civil Status Office of the commune within 24 hours – usually by the funeral director with family authorisation. Order 5–10 original death certificates (atto di morte). In South Tyrol all documents are bilingual German/Italian.
Funeral arrangements
Funerals usually take place within 2–3 days. Cremation, burial and entombment are all legal. Costs 2025: cremation €1,800–3,500; burial €3,500–6,500; entombment €4,500–9,000.
Notifications
- INPS (national pension): notify death, claim survivor's pension
- ASL (regional health service): return health card
- Employer: final settlement, severance (TFR)
- Bank: accounts frozen until succession declaration
- Insurance: life, car (RC auto), home
- Landlord
- Agenzia delle Entrate: succession declaration within 12 months
Notary and will
If a will exists, a notary publishes it (pubblicazione del testamento). Heirs can accept purely, accept with benefit of inventory (limited liability), or renounce before a notary or court. The renunciation period is 10 years.
Succession declaration and tax
The dichiarazione di successione must be filed with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 12 months. Rates: spouse/children 4 % above €1,000,000 allowance per beneficiary; siblings 6 % above €100,000; other relatives 6 %; unrelated 8 %. Real estate adds 2 % mortgage tax and 1 % cadastral tax.
South Tyrol specifics
In South Tyrol (ZIP 39xxx), all Italian succession rules apply but every office works bilingually German/Italian. You are entitled to certificates, hearings and notarial deeds in German.
Häufige Fragen
- What is the deadline to register the death?
- 24 hours at the commune of death. The funeral director usually handles it with family authorisation.
- How long are bank accounts frozen?
- Until the succession declaration and heirs' certification are presented – typically 3–6 months. Funeral expenses can be paid on invoice.
- How high is Italian inheritance tax?
- Spouses and children pay 4 % only on the share above €1,000,000 per beneficiary. Italy is among the most favourable EU jurisdictions.
- Can I refuse the inheritance?
- Yes, by formal renunciation before a notary or the court. The limitation period is 10 years.
- What does 'acceptance with benefit of inventory' mean?
- You are liable for debts only up to the value of the estate – your personal assets are protected.
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