Portuguese inheritance law differs sharply from most countries; expats without a local will risk their assets being distributed under rules they never chose.
If you own property or have significant assets in Portugal, you need a Portuguese will. Portuguese law does not automatically recognize wills written in your home country, and inheritance rules here can override your wishes entirely.
Portuguese law reserves a portion of your estate (called the "legitimate share") for direct heirs—typically children and spouses—regardless of what your will says. The rest can be distributed as you choose. Without a Portuguese will, your estate defaults to Portuguese succession law, which may not align with your intentions. You'll need to work with a Portuguese notary (notário) and often a lawyer specializing in expat estates to draft a will that's valid here and coordinates with any will you have in your home country.
Portuguese law reserves part of your estate for heirs no matter what your will says—plan accordingly.
Do this while you're healthy and clear-headed. Probate in Portugal can be slow, and your family will face unnecessary complexity if you haven't planned ahead.
Source: original report ↗
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