Good to know · Legal
Making a will in Spain (testamento)
The Código Civil recognizes three ordinary forms of will: ológrafo (handwritten), abierto (made before a notary) and cerrado (sealed). Wills made before notaries are recorded in the Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad at the Ministry of Justice, and an EU regulation lets a person choose the law of their nationality for their succession.
- Why it matters
- Anyone who owns property, accounts or family ties in Spain may want to know how a will works here. The registry, the notary’s role and the EU rule on which country’s law applies are set out in official pages; this card describes the process and does not say what anyone should put in a will or choose.
- When
- You want to understand how a will is made and recorded in Spain, or you have property or family in more than one country.
- Official page
- Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad
- Last checked
- 26 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 5 steps, what to bring (4 items), the 2 offices with addresses and hours, and 4 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
The register’s certificate says whether a will exists and, if so, its place, date and notary. The Ministry page says heirs then go to that notary, who gives a copy of the will.