What to Do After a Death in Luxembourg
Luxembourg's succession procedure is rooted in the Napoleonic Code and largely managed by notaries. This English guide explains every step – including the cross-border issues common to Luxembourg's international community.
The first hours
Call the doctor or emergency number 112. The doctor issues the death certificate. At a hospital or care home, staff handle this. Funeral directors take over the next steps.
Registering the death
The death must be registered with the local commune (Bureau de l'état civil) within 24 hours on working days. Order 5–8 original death certificates.
Funeral arrangements
Burial usually takes place within 6 days. Cremation and traditional burial are common. A basic funeral costs €4,500–7,000; an elaborate one €10,000+.
Notary and succession
A notary handles the succession (succession). They prepare the deed of notoriety (acte de notoriété), identify heirs, value the estate and supervise the partition. Bank accounts are frozen until the deed is issued. Heirs can accept purely and simply, accept with benefit of inventory, or renounce – the choice has major liability consequences.
Notifications
- National pension insurance (CNAP)
- Sickness fund (CNS)
- Employer
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Landlord
- Administration des Contributions Directes (tax)
- AED (registration and inheritance tax)
Inheritance and gift tax
Luxembourg taxes the inheritance of non-direct heirs. Spouses and direct descendants in equal share inherit tax-free. Other inheritances are taxed by relationship and value, with rates from 6 % to 48 %.
Häufige Fragen
- Is a notary mandatory?
- In practice yes for any estate involving real estate or material assets. The notary's deed of notoriety identifies heirs and unlocks bank accounts.
- How long does Luxembourg succession take?
- Typically 6–12 months. Cross-border estates can take 1–2 years.
- Do unmarried partners inherit?
- PACS partners have limited rights; cohabitants without PACS none. A will is essential.
- What is the deadline to renounce?
- Heirs have at least 3 months and 40 days to inventory before deciding; the formal renunciation is filed at the district court (<em>Tribunal d'arrondissement</em>).
- How are foreign assets treated?
- EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 applies – the deceased's habitual residence law usually governs, unless they elected their national law in their will.
Wegbegleiter – die App für schwere Momente
Checklisten, Briefvorlagen und eine verschlüsselte Notfallmappe – kostenlos starten.