Can the European Certificate of Succession be used to register inherited property?

What the Law Says

Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 establishes the European Certificate of Succession as a uniform instrument to facilitate cross-border succession matters, including property registration.

The ECS is a legal document issued by a competent authority (e.g., a court or notary) in an EU Member State to prove the status and rights of heirs, legatees, executors, or administrators in cross-border successions.

Under Article 62 of the Regulation, the ECS 'shall produce, in all Member States, the effects inherent to the facts stated therein', including recognition of rights to property — meaning national land registries must accept it as proof for registration purposes, unless they have valid grounds to doubt its authenticity or content.

The certificate is valid for 10 years from issuance (Article 64), and authorities must issue it within three months of a complete application (Article 63). It does not replace national formalities but simplifies them by eliminating the need for additional legalisations or translations in most cases.

Statutory Text

The certificate shall produce, in all Member States, the effects inherent to the facts stated therein.

— Regulation (EU) No 650/2012, Art. 62 — Effects of the certificate

Statutory Text

The certificate shall be valid for 10 years from the date of its issue.

— Regulation (EU) No 650/2012, Art. 64 — Validity

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