How much German inheritance tax will you actually pay?
Germany taxes the heir, not the estate — and every heir has a personal allowance that depends on their relationship to the deceased. Use the calculator for a first estimate, then let us verify it against the real figures.
The three things that decide your tax bill
- 01
Your tax class
German law sorts heirs into three classes. Spouses and children sit in Class I with the lowest rates; distant relatives and unrelated persons pay the highest.
- 02
Your personal allowance
€500,000 for spouses and civil partners, €400,000 per child, €200,000 per grandchild, €100,000 for parents, €20,000 for everyone else — deducted before any tax applies.
- 03
The taxable value
Debts, funeral costs and a lump-sum expense allowance reduce the estate. German property is valued by statutory rules that often differ from the market price.
German inheritance tax calculator
This calculator has been compiled with the greatest care, but it can be no more than an indication of the approximate figures to be expected for your case. You should always have your inheritance tax return prepared by a competent advisor.We cannot accept any liability for the accuracy of the calculations, despite all due care. A reliable assessment requires very specific information that can only be obtained on a case-by-case basis.Should you discover any inaccuracies or errors here, we would be grateful for a note at: info@office-ebert.com
Read the full guide to German inheritance tax law — tax classes, allowances, rates and worked examples.
This calculator has been compiled with the greatest care, but it can be no more than an indication of the approximate figures to be expected for your case. You should always have your inheritance tax return prepared by a competent advisor.
We cannot accept any liability for the accuracy of the calculations, despite all due care. A reliable assessment requires very specific information that can only be obtained on a case-by-case basis.
Should you discover any inaccuracies or errors here, we would be grateful for a note at: info@office-ebert.com
Want the real number, not an estimate?
Send us the estate figures and we will calculate your liability, file the German inheritance tax return and deal with the Finanzamt on your behalf.