Can a foreigner receive an inheritance in Ukraine remotely?

Receiving an inheritance in Ukraine is a complex process for foreigners. However, knowledge of the law, legal support from professional lawyers and careful preparation of documents are the key to a successful outcome. Find out more about whether a foreigner can inherit in Ukraine remotely, how to do it and where to seek legal support

Legal assistance on entry, stay and legalization of foreigners in Ukraine

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Ukraine has a clear and transparent legislative framework for inheritance for foreigners, which ensures equal rights and opportunities regardless of the heir's citizenship. However, the process of obtaining an inheritance has a number of specific features that require in-depth understanding and professional support.

Is it possible for a foreigner to obtain an inheritance in Ukraine remotely and how to do it — we will tell you more in this article.

Read also: How can a foreigner move to Ukraine?

Obtaining inheritance in Ukraine for non-residents: conditions

Foreign citizens have the full right to inherit property in Ukraine. The basic principles of inheritance are the same for both residents and non-residents. At the same time, there are a number of important nuances that require special attention.

For a successful inheritance procedure, it is recommended to:

● carefully check all documents;

● consult with specialized lawyers;

● be prepared for possible additional procedures;

● be patient and persistent.

Read also: Legal proceedings in Ukraine for foreigners 2025 — a complete guide to the specifics and risks

Requirements for foreigners to receive inheritance in Ukraine

Since foreign heirs often do not have the physical ability to be present in Ukraine, the law provides for a mechanism of remote representation. For this purpose, a special power of attorney is drawn up, which must meet a number of strict requirements.

Such a power of attorney must be completely legitimate and include the widest possible range of powers: from re-registration of property rights to payment of taxes and other necessary legal actions. It is essential that the document undergoes a full legalization procedure — notarization, apostille, or legalization, depending on the country of origin.

To avoid mistakes with powers of attorney and their legalization, foreigners should contact professional immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. Our specialists will help you correctly draw up a power of attorney and apostille and legalize documents in any country in the world.

Another mandatory requirement is to obtain an identification code in Ukraine. This is mandatory, even if the heir has never had any connection with the country before. This document is critical for further legal procedures.

The next important point is taxation. Regardless of the degree of kinship, a foreign heir pays the taxes provided for by law. The only exception is residents with a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.

Read also: How can a foreigner obtain a residence permit in Ukraine?

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Documents required to receive an inheritance in Ukraine

The inheritance process requires careful preparation of documentation. It is necessary to collect and properly execute a number of important documents. Among the key documents are:

● a notarized statement of acceptance of inheritance;

● a copy of the passport and identification code with an apostille;

● the death certificate of the testator;

● documents confirming family ties;

● the original will (if available).

Particular attention should be paid to legalization and notarization of documents. If the documents were issued abroad, they must be apostilled or legalized.

Terms and deadlines for foreigners to receive inheritance in Ukraine

The general deadline for accepting an inheritance is six months from the date of the testator's death. This deadline is the same for both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners.

If the deadline is missed, it is possible to have it extended through court proceedings. To do so, you must provide compelling arguments and evidence explaining the reason for the delay.

It is also worth paying attention to some specific restrictions. In particular, agricultural land must be sold within one year from the date of receiving the inheritance. How much tax does a non-resident have to pay for selling land in Ukraine? Read more at the link.

Difficulties faced by foreigners when receiving an inheritance in Ukraine

Receiving an inheritance in Ukraine for foreigners is a rather difficult process, which may be accompanied by a number of challenges, such as discrepancies in documents, unexpected claimants to the inheritance, the existence of debt obligations, or difficulties in confirming family ties.

Overcoming these obstacles requires a professional approach, the involvement of qualified lawyers, and careful preparation. To avoid problems when receiving inheritance in Ukraine, we recommend consulting with professional lawyers from the Visit Ukraine portal, who will help foreign heirs easily and quickly resolve all inheritance issues in Ukraine, answer questions, and assist with obtaining an identification code and other necessary documents.

We remind you! Buying real estate in Ukraine can be risky for foreigners without verification. Read how to remotely verify a property and its owner through registries and lawyers in order to safely invest in Ukrainian real estate.

Photo: Freepik

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