Guide

Power of Attorney for Spanish Inheritances: How to Sign Without Travelling to Spain

Published April 2025 · 10 min read · By International Inheritance Spain

The most common question we receive from international heirs is: "Do I have to travel to Spain to deal with this?" The answer is no. The entire Spanish inheritance process — from the initial notarial deed to the final registration of assets in your name — can be managed from your home country through a poder notarial (notarial power of attorney).

This guide explains exactly what a power of attorney is, how to grant one from outside Spain, and what authority it gives us to act on your behalf.

What Is a Spanish Power of Attorney?

A poder notarial is a legal document by which you (the poderdante — the person granting the power) authorise another person (the apoderado — the attorney) to perform specific legal acts on your behalf. In the context of a Spanish inheritance, the power of attorney authorises us to:

• Sign the deed of acceptance of the inheritance (escritura de aceptación de herencia) before a Spanish notary
• File the Spanish inheritance tax return (modelo 650/660) and pay the tax
• Represent you before the Spanish Land Registry, banks, and the DGT (vehicle registry)
• Open and close bank accounts, obtain bank valuations and release funds
• Represent you before the Spanish tax authority (AEAT) and regional tax authorities

Three Ways to Grant a Power of Attorney from Abroad

Option 1: Spanish Consulate in Your Country

Every major country has a Spanish consulate or embassy that provides notarial services. The consular official can certify your signature on a Spanish-language power of attorney prepared by us. No apostille is required — the consular certification is recognised directly in Spain.

Steps:

1. We prepare the Spanish-language power of attorney document tailored to your inheritance
2. You book an appointment at your nearest Spanish consulate
3. You take the document, your passport and the consulate's fee (typically €20–€60)
4. The consular officer certifies your signature
5. You send us the certified document

Spanish consulates with notarial services are located in: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne and many other cities worldwide.

Option 2: Local Notary + Apostille

If getting to a Spanish consulate is impractical, you can sign the power of attorney before a local notary in your country (a UK notary, Dutch notaris, German Notar, US notary public, etc.). The document must then be:

1. Apostilled under the Hague Convention by the competent authority in your country (e.g., the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the US Secretary of State of the relevant state)
2. Accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation (traducción jurada) if the original is not in Spanish

We prepare the Spanish document for you to take to the notary. If you prefer, we can prepare the document in your language for the notary to notarise, and we handle the translation.

Option 3: Travel to Spain

If you are visiting Spain for other reasons, the power of attorney can be signed before a Spanish notario público during your visit. This is the simplest option from a documentation standpoint but requires physical presence in Spain.

What the Power of Attorney Does NOT Authorise

A well-drafted power of attorney for inheritance purposes is specific to the inheritance. It does not grant unlimited authority over your financial affairs. We draft each power of attorney to be precisely tailored to the inheritance, limiting our authority to what is strictly necessary.

How Long Is a Spanish Power of Attorney Valid?

A Spanish power of attorney remains valid until revoked or until the specific purpose is fulfilled. There is no automatic expiry date for an inheritance power of attorney. However, if circumstances change (for example, you no longer wish us to represent you), you can revoke it at any time.

Can Multiple Heirs Each Grant the Same Power of Attorney?

Yes — and this is the standard approach when there are multiple heirs. Each heir independently grants a power of attorney in favour of our firm. All powers of attorney are then presented to the Spanish notary together, allowing us to represent all heirs simultaneously in a single notarial act. This is both efficient and eliminates the need for heirs in different countries to coordinate timing.

Cost of Granting a Power of Attorney

• Spanish consulate: €20–€60 per person
• UK notary + apostille: approximately £100–£200 for notarisation + £30 for apostille
• German Notar + apostille: approximately €150–€250
• US notary + state apostille: typically $50–$150 total
• Sworn translation: €50–€100 if needed