Finland (FI)
Finland is a Nordic parliamentary republic in Northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia, with a southern coastline on the Gulf of Finland.
Estate & Inheritance in Finland
Wills, intestacy, inheritance tax, and cross-border estate planning for expats.
Finnish inheritance law is governed by the Perintökaari (Inheritance Code, PK). Finnish perintövero (inheritance tax) applies to property inherited from Finnish residents or Finnish property inherited by any person. Finland has a separate inheritance tax from most of Europe — the heirs pay the tax, not the estate. Finnish inheritance law includes pakottava perintöoikeus (forced heirship) protecting surviving spouses and children. Finland follows EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 for cross-border estates.
Intestacy — What Happens Without a Will
If there is no will (testamentti), Finnish law distributes the estate by statutory order (lakimääräinen perimysjärjestys): First class: children (lapset) and their descendants. If no children: Second class: parents (vanhemmat) and their descendants (siblings / sisarukset). If no parents or siblings: Third class: grandparents and their descendants. Surviving spouse (leski) receives a special right of possession (hallintaoikeus) over the marital home (avio-osa) but does not inherit directly in competition with children (unless the couple was married under the current Avioliittolaki which gives the spouse broader rights). Registered partners (rekisteröity parisuhde) have equivalent rights to spouses.
Types of Valid Will
Holographic will
Holografinen testamentti / Oman käden kirjoittama testamenttiEntirely handwritten and signed by the testator. No witnesses required under Finnish law (unlike many jurisdictions). Simple to create but has specific requirements: must be entirely handwritten (not typed), signed, and dated.
Valid in Finland without witnesses if entirely handwritten. However, a lawyer's review is recommended to avoid mistakes.
While a holographic will is legally valid, legal advice is strongly recommended to ensure it meets all requirements and expresses your wishes clearly. A poorly drafted will can cause disputes and unnecessary inheritance tax.
Witnessed will
TodistajatestamenttiThe most common and recommended form. Signed by the testator in the presence of two independent witnesses who also sign. Witnesses must be over 18, mentally competent, and cannot be beneficiaries or close relatives of beneficiaries.
Valid in Finland. Recommended for all significant estates.
Witnessed wills prepared by a lawyer are the gold standard. The lawyer ensures the will is legally binding and clearly expresses your wishes. Keep the original in a secure location (bank safe or notary).
Oral will (emergency only)
Suullinen testamentti (hätätilanteessa)Permitted only in extraordinary circumstances where written will is impossible (e.g., imminent death). Requires two witnesses and must be converted to writing as soon as possible.
Valid only in exceptional circumstances — not recommended for planning purposes.
This is an emergency provision — do not rely on it. Create a proper written will well in advance.
Forced Heirship
Finland has pakollinen lakiosa (forced heir's reserved share). Children (and their descendants, if a child has died) are entitled to a reserved share (lakiosa) of the estate equal to half of their statutory inheritance share. This cannot be excluded by will. Example: if you have two children, each has a reserved share of 1/4 of the estate (half of their 1/2 statutory share). A will that distributes more than the "free portion" in ways that violate this must be challenged within 10 years.
EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV)
EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 applies in Finland. The default rule is that the law of the country of habitual residence at death governs the succession — not nationality. EU citizens resident in Finland are therefore subject to Finnish succession law (including inheritance tax) unless they have made a valid declaration choosing the law of their nationality. Expats in Finland should consider making such a declaration if the law of their home country would be more favourable. Consult an inheritance lawyer for advice on cross-border estates.
Inheritance Tax
Finland levies perintövero (inheritance tax) on heirs resident in Finland AND on Finnish property regardless of the heir's residence. Two tax classes apply — Class I (close family) and Class II (others). The tax is progressive within each class.
| Relationship | Tax-Free Allowance | Tax Rate (above allowance) |
|---|---|---|
| Class I: Spouse / registered partner, children and descendants, parents, grandparents, siblings (depending on degree) | €30,000 per heir (raised from €20,000 — confirmed by Parliament, effective 1 January 2026) | Progressive: 7% on €30,001–60,000; 10% on €60,001–200,000; 13% on €200,001–1,000,000; 16% on €1,000,001–2,000,000; 19% on €2,000,001+ (confirm exact brackets with Vero.fi for 2026) |
| Class II: All others (non-close relatives, friends, legal entities) | €30,000 per heir (raised from €20,000, effective 1 January 2026) | Progressive: 19% on €30,001–60,000; 25% on €60,001–200,000; 29% on €200,001–1,000,000; 31% on €1,000,001–2,000,000; 33% on €2,000,001+ |
| Surviving spouse — special deductions | Puolisovähennys (spouse deduction): €90,000. Alaikäisyysvähennys (minor child deduction): €60,000 per child under 18. | Class I rates apply after deductions |
2026 CHANGES: Parliament raised the inheritance tax threshold from €20,000 to €30,000 per heir (effective 1 January 2026). Household belongings exemption raised from €4,000 to €7,500. Gift tax threshold raised from €5,000 to €7,500. Finland's inheritance tax applies even for EU citizens resident in Finland who inherit Finnish property. The perintövero must be paid within 3 months of the estate being distributed (pesänjako). Perunkirjoitus (estate inventory) must be completed within 3 months of death. Extensions available from Vero for complex estates.
Cross-Border & Multi-Country Estates
Cross-border estates involving Finland are complex. Key issues: (1) Finnish perintövero applies to Finnish property regardless of where heirs live. (2) Heirs resident in Finland pay Finnish inheritance tax on all inherited property worldwide, with tax credit for foreign inheritance taxes paid. (3) Double taxation may occur if multiple countries claim inheritance rights. Finland has inheritance tax treaties with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the USA (covering double taxation on inheritance). Consult a specialist in Finnish international tax (kansainvälinen vero) for cross-border estate planning.
Certificate of Inheritance
Perunkirjoitus (estate inventory): must be conducted within 3 months of death by an estate manager (pesänhoitaja). The perukirja (estate inventory document) is the foundation of Finnish estate administration. Perukirja must be filed with Vero within 1 month of preparation. Sukuselvitys (genealogical investigation) — documentation of all heirs — required as part of the estate process. Obtain at DVV or register of births.
Will Registration
Finland does not have a mandatory national will registry. Keep your will in a bank safe deposit box (pankkiholvi), with your lawyer, or in a secure private location. Inform your executor (testamentin toimeenpanija) of the will's location. Perunkirjoitus will seek information about existing wills from family members and financial institutions.
Living Will & Healthcare Power of Attorney
Hoitotahto (advance directive / living will) — a document expressing your wishes regarding medical care if you become unable to communicate. Not the same as a testament — it is a medical advance directive. Register your hoitotahto with your healthcare provider and at OmaKanta (national patient portal at kanta.fi) where it can be accessed by all Finnish healthcare providers. Recommended for all adults.
Useful Links
Estate & Inheritance
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