Ukrainians living abroad can bequeath real estate in Ukraine without having to come in person. Learn more about the procedure for certifying wills at consular offices and foreign notaries

Legal assistance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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Russia's armed attack has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes and country. Once abroad, many are faced with the question of how to dispose of the real estate they have left in Ukraine. It is possible to bequeath real estate without leaving the country you are in. The experts of the Flombu portal told how to do it.

How a foreigner can buy real estate in Ukraine is described in this article.

How to inherit real estate while abroad?

Ukrainians can bequeath an apartment, house, land plot or other real estate without coming home. To do this, you need to certify the will at the consular offices of Ukraine or contact a foreign notary who has the appropriate authority.

Certification of a will in consular offices of Ukraine

Wills are certified by Ukrainian consular offices in accordance with Ukrainian law. According to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, consular actions are regulated by the Regulation on the Procedure for Performing Notarial Actions in Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices of Ukraine.

Wills drawn up abroad and relating to real estate in Ukraine are registered in the Inheritance Register.

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Registration of wills in the Inheritance Register

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine enters data on wills certified by Ukrainian consular offices, changes to them and their revocation into the Inheritance Register. This is done through the electronic interaction system of executive authorities.

A testator may submit an application for state registration of wills certified by consular offices of Ukraine to the Registrar (a private notary, a state notary office or a state notary archive). To do this, you must present your passport or other identity document.

Certification of a will by foreign notaries

Ukrainians living abroad can have their wills notarized by foreign notaries or bodies authorized to do so. The will will be drawn up in accordance with the laws of the country of residence.

A person's ability to make and revoke a will, as well as the form of the will, is determined by the law of the state in which the testator resided at the time of the document's drafting or at the time of death. At the will of the testator, such wills may be registered in the Inheritance Register of Ukraine.

The data on wills registered abroad are entered into the Inheritance Register by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

If you temporarily reside abroad and want to bequeath real estate in Ukraine, you can do so without having to come home. You can get advice on the rules for collecting, submitting and receiving the documents you need on the Visit Ukraine portal. To get legal assistance, follow this link and choose the appropriate service.

We remind you! Ukrainians working abroad will also be entitled to a pension in Ukraine. This applies to those who went to work abroad after reaching the appropriate age for receiving a pension under the law. Read more about the changes approved and who will be able to receive pension payments in this article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can get legal advice on migration law. Our lawyers will answer all your questions and, if necessary, help you collect, submit and receive the documents you need. You can order a specialist consultation or full legal support by following this link.