Blog
Nalenta Blog
Clear explanations of the paperwork, taxes and decisions after a death in Belgium. Written by someone who did it himself, three times.
Inheritance tax rates in Belgium: regional comparison
A comparison of Belgian inheritance tax rates in Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, per category of heir.
5 min read
Grandchildren inheriting in Belgium
Grandchildren can inherit in Belgium by representation or by a deliberate generation skip from grandparents. Here are the rules, rates and tax benefits.
4 min read
Nephew, niece or friend inheriting in Belgium
Inheriting as a nephew, niece, friend or third party falls under the heaviest rate in Belgium. Here are the rules per region and ways to reduce the tax burden.
5 min read
Requesting an extension for the inheritance declaration
The inheritance declaration must be filed within 4 to 6 months. If you cannot meet that, request an extension in time. Here are the rules per region and the written procedure.
4 min read
Estate inventory in Belgium
An estate inventory is an official statement of the deceased's assets. Mandatory in some cases, advisable in others. Here are the rules and costs.
5 min read
Unblocking a KBC account after a death in Belgium
Procedure to unblock a KBC account after a death: notification, documents, tax certificate, urgent cost release and final settlement.
5 min read
Unblocking a BNP Paribas Fortis account after a death
Procedure to unblock a BNP Paribas Fortis account after a death: notification, documents, tax certificate, urgent cost release and final settlement.
5 min read
Unblocking a Belfius account after a death
Procedure to unblock a Belfius account after a death: notification, documents, tax certificate, urgent cost release and final settlement.
5 min read
Deregistering a vehicle after a death
Four practical scenarios for the deceased's car: transfer to an heir, sale, deregistration or scrapping, with the official Belgian procedure for each.
6 min read
Survivor pension and mutuality after a death
The deceased's pension stops at the end of the month of death. The partner can claim a survivor pension. The mutuality must be informed. Below is the exact procedure, deadlines and amounts.
6 min read
The deceased's personal income tax return
A separate return filed by the heirs covering income from 1 January to the date of death. Below are the rules, deadlines, deductions and the joint-return choice.
7 min read
Practical will search guide
The Central Register of Wills only covers notarial wills. Many Belgian wills are holographic and appear in no register. Below is a workable search order for the first two weeks.
6 min read
Cancelling subscriptions after a death
Telecom, streaming, energy and gym: a working order to cancel or transfer every subscription after a death, with the official rules per category.
6 min read
Settling digital legacy after a death
E-mail, photos, social media, cloud storage and cryptocurrency: a detailed guide on what the large platforms allow and which preparations during life truly make a difference.
9 min read
Bank release of EUR 5,000 for funeral costs
How the legal exception works that lets Belgian banks release up to 5,000 euros for funeral costs, and when it does not apply.
7 min read
Requesting an inheritance-tax payment plan
VLABEL grants up to 24 months, the FPS Finance up to 5 years for paying inheritance tax. Here is how to apply correctly and what you can honestly expect.
8 min read
Filing the inheritance declaration with VLABEL: step by step
A full guide to filing your inheritance declaration in Flanders with the Flemish Tax Authority (VLABEL): online or on paper.
7 min read
Unblocking a bank account after a death
The bank automatically freezes accounts after a death. Here are the practical steps, documents and timelines to get things flowing again.
4 min read
Inheritance tax for the surviving spouse in Belgium
How is the surviving partner treated tax-wise in Belgium? Family home exemption, movable-asset bracket and usufruct.
4 min read
Searching for a will in Belgium
A query in the Central Register of Wills tells you whether a will exists. Procedure, cost and types of wills.
4 min read
Paying Belgian inheritance tax
Two months from the issue date: here is how to pay, with spread options and ways to limit fines.
4 min read
Do you need a notary for a simple estate in Belgium?
For many simple files a notary is not legally required. Here is when they are, when you can do it yourself, and price ranges.
8 min read
Heirs in disagreement in Belgium
Conflict over the partition? You can still file the tax declaration on time. Then notary, mediator or family court help reach a partition.
4 min read
Children and inheritance tax in Belgium
Children inherit in direct line with favourable rates. For minors: justice of the peace, notarial deed and guardianship account.
4 min read
Life insurance and inheritance tax
A life insurance with a beneficiary is often treated fiscally as a legacy. Here are the rates, exceptions and how to declare it correctly.
4 min read
Inheriting without a will in Belgium
No will? The law itself decides who inherits. Orders, degrees, spousal usufruct and representation, explained clearly.
7 min read
Inheriting debts in Belgium
When in doubt: accept under benefit or renounce. Here the three options, costs, consequences and how to protect your own assets.
4 min read
Inheritance tax in Wallonia: rates, exemptions and calculation
Everything about Walloon inheritance tax in 2026: nine brackets in direct line, exemptions for the partner and dependent children, and the correct filing office.
7 min read
Inheritance tax in Flanders: rates, exemptions and calculation
Everything you need to know about Flemish inheritance tax in 2026: rates by relationship, exemptions, gift suspect period and the correct filing channel.
8 min read
Inheritance tax in Brussels: rates, exemptions and calculation
Everything you need to know about Brussels inheritance tax in 2026: rates by relationship, exemptions and the correct FPS Finance office.
7 min read
Gifting vs inheriting in Belgium
Gifting during life often carries less tax than inheriting. Rates, suspect periods, usufruct and bank gifts, with a worked example.
4 min read
Checklist for the first 7 days after a death
Day by day, what to arrange in the first week after a death in Belgium, with the right contacts and documents.
4 min read
Inheritance declaration at the SPF Finances
For deaths in Brussels or Wallonia, the declaration goes to the FPS Finance. Which office, which form, which deadline, what differs from VLABEL.
4 min read
Family home exemption in Belgium
How does the family home inheritance tax exemption work per region? Conditions, limits and concrete examples for the surviving partner.
4 min read
Inheriting in Belgium as an expat
An estate with foreign assets or expat heirs raises extra questions. Which law, which authority, which documents?
8 min read
Inheritance in Belgium without a notary
For a simple estate, you can file the Belgian inheritance declaration yourself. Here is when that is possible, how to do it and the mistakes to avoid.
9 min read
Cost of an inheritance declaration in Belgium
Filing the declaration can be free, 99 euros, or via notary for 1,000 to 3,000 euros. Here is the full picture and when each choice is right.
4 min read
Deadline to file the Belgian inheritance declaration
Four, five or six months? The deadline depends on where the deceased died. Everything about the legal deadline, extensions and fines.
4 min read
Certificate or deed of inheritance in Belgium
Certificate or deed? We explain when each document is enough, how to request it, what it costs and how long it takes.
4 min read
What to do after a death in Belgium: full checklist
A chronological guide to the paperwork after a death in Belgium. By stage: what comes first, what can wait, and what you can delegate.
9 min read
Accept, refuse or accept under benefit of inventory in Belgium
You are not obliged to accept an estate. Here are the three options in Belgium side by side, with procedure and the typical cases.
8 min read