GermanyWhat is the deadline for disclaiming an inheritance?
You must disclaim an inheritance within six weeks of learning you are an heir — or six months if you or the deceased lived abroad.
What the Law Says
German law sets strict time limits for disclaiming an inheritance to ensure legal certainty in estate administration.
Under § 1944 of the German Civil Code (BGB), an heir must formally disclaim an inheritance within a fixed deadline — otherwise, they are legally considered to have accepted it, including all assets and debts.
The standard deadline is six weeks. It begins only when the heir gains actual knowledge of both (1) that the inheritance has fallen to them (Anfall) and (2) the legal basis for their appointment (Grund der Berufung).
If the heir was named in a will or inheritance contract (disposition upon death), the six-week period does not start until the probate court (Nachlassgericht) officially notifies them of that document.
Special rules extend the deadline to six months if either the deceased had their last habitual residence abroad, or the heir themselves was residing abroad when the deadline began.
The rules on suspension and interruption of limitation periods (§§ 206 and 210 BGB) apply analogously — meaning certain circumstances (e.g., incapacity, ongoing legal proceedings) may pause or restart the clock.
Statutory TextDie Ausschlagung kann nur binnen sechs Wochen erfolgen.
— BGB § 1944 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDie Frist beginnt mit dem Zeitpunkt, in welchem der Erbe von dem Anfall und dem Grunde der Berufung Kenntnis erlangt. Ist der Erbe durch Verfügung von Todes wegen berufen, beginnt die Frist nicht vor Bekanntgabe der Verfügung von Todes wegen durch das Nachlassgericht.
— BGB § 1944 (2) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDie Frist beträgt sechs Monate, wenn der Erblasser seinen letzten Wohnsitz nur im Ausland gehabt hat oder wenn sich der Erbe bei dem Beginn der Frist im Ausland aufhält.
— BGB § 1944 (3) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts emphasize strict adherence to the deadline — late disclaimers are invalid, and acceptance is automatic.
The Federal Court of Justice confirmed that a disclaimer must be submitted to the probate court within six weeks of gaining full knowledge of the inheritance. Missing the deadline—even by one day—results in deemed acceptance, which cannot generally be undone.
What to Do
Confirm the exact date you first learned of your status as heir and the legal basis (e.g., will, statutory succession).
Calculate the deadline: six weeks from that date — unless you or the deceased lived abroad (then six months).
File a formal written disclaimer with the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) before the deadline expires.
Keep proof of submission (e.g., certified mail receipt or court confirmation).
Sources
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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.