Олександр Сич
August 9, 2026
It is not necessary to return to Ukraine: a declaration of acceptance of an inheritance can be sent to a notary by post with a notarised signature or submitted using an electronic digital signature (EDS), and then proceed through a representative acting under a power of attorney certified by a Ukrainian consulate or a foreign notary (with an apostille and translation). The main thing is to meet the six-month deadline: the Supreme Court has confirmed that martial law does not suspend this time limit.
Millions of Ukrainians are currently abroad, and when a relative dies in Ukraine, the first question is: ‘Do I really have to go?’. There’s no need to travel: everything can be arranged remotely; notaries and consulates deal with such matters every day. There is only one way to let the matter slip through the net — by missing the deadline. The Supreme Court has explicitly rejected the common misconception that ‘time limits are suspended during wartime’: there is a six-month period for submitting an application to accept an inheritance, and Government Resolution No. 164 on the suspension of time limits does not apply, as it contradicts the Civil Code. Staying abroad is not, in itself, recognised as a valid reason for missing the deadline.
Below is the full step-by-step guide: from the application to the registration of ownership, including documents, deadlines and common mistakes. For information on how much tax you will have to pay, see the separate article on inheritance tax rates in 2026; here we will focus on the procedure.
Step 1. Submit an application to accept the inheritance — within 6 months
The application must be submitted to a notary at the place where the inheritance is opened, i.e. the deceased’s last place of residence. There are three ways to do this:
- by post: by registered post with a list of contents; the authenticity of the signature on the application must be notarised — by a Ukrainian consul or a foreign notary, followed by an apostille and a translation;
- online using a qualified electronic signature: upon receipt of an application bearing a qualified electronic signature, the notary will open the inheritance case and inform you which documents to submit;
- via a Ukrainian consular office in the country of residence.
There is one detail that can help when time is of the essence: if the application is received by post without a certified signature, the notary will still open the inheritance case, and a properly completed application can be submitted later. Therefore, even an application with deficiencies, sent within six months, fulfils its main purpose: it records your intention within the time limit.
Important: if you were registered as living with the deceased at the time of their death, you are deemed to have accepted the inheritance automatically (Article 1268(3) of the Civil Code), and submitting an application within the six-month period is not mandatory.
Step 2. Draw up a power of attorney for a representative in Ukraine
It is more convenient to entrust the collection of documents, communication with the notary and the registration of ownership rights to a representative — a relative or a solicitor. A power of attorney can be drawn up in two ways:
| Criterion | Ukrainian Consulate | Foreign notary |
|---|---|---|
| Legal validity in Ukraine | Immediately, without legalisation | An apostille is required + a notarised translation into Ukrainian |
| Processing time | Depends on the queue — from weeks to several months in major cities | Usually 1–5 days + apostille 1–2 weeks |
| Approximate cost | Consular fee | Notary services + apostille + translation |
| Who it’s suitable for | Those who live near the consulate and have plenty of time | Those who need it quickly or live far from the consulate |
Step 3. Gather your documents
- the deceased’s death certificate;
- documents proving family ties: birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change certificates (the chain of documents must be fully traceable);
- will — if available;
- documents establishing title to property: contracts, certificates, extracts from registers, technical passport;
- your passport and RNO-KPP.
All documents drawn up outside Ukraine must be legalised (with an apostille) and translated into Ukrainian, with the translation notarised — failure to comply with this requirement is grounds for the notary to refuse the application.
Documents located in Ukraine are collected by a representative acting under a power of attorney; lost documents are replaced via the Civil Registry Office or through solicitors’ requests.
Step 4. Obtain a certificate of inheritance
The certificate is issued six months after the date the estate was opened — in person, at a consular office, or through a representative acting under a power of attorney. Before issuing the certificate, the notary verifies the fact of death, the grounds for inheritance, the composition of the estate and the circle of heirs.
Step 5. Register the title
For property, the certificate is not the final step: the title must be entered in the State Register of Real Rights. This is also carried out by a representative. Once registered, the property may be disposed of — sold, gifted or let (under a separate power of attorney).
If the 6-month period has already expired
There are two options: written consent from all heirs who have accepted the inheritance for you to submit the application (Article 1272(2) of the Civil Code) — or a court ruling granting an extension (Article 1272(3) of the Civil Code). The court grants an extension (usually 1–3 months) only for valid reasons, and the practice in 2026 is strict: the mere fact of martial law or residence abroad is not recognised as a valid reason — specific circumstances are required — such as long-term medical treatment, occupation of the territory, or proven ignorance of a relative’s death. The outcome in such cases is determined by the evidence, so it is advisable to seek legal representation.
Common mistakes made by heirs abroad
- Waiting for the ‘end of the war’, believing that time limits have been suspended. The six-month time limit remains in force — this has been confirmed by the Supreme Court.
- Sending an application by ordinary post without a list of contents — it is then impossible to prove either the contents or the date of dispatch.
- Having a power of attorney drawn up by a foreign notary without an apostille or translation — the document will not be valid in Ukraine.
- Booking an appointment at the consulate ‘for later’: in large cities, the queue can eat into the time limit by months.
- Forgetting about the tax: the rate for non-residents is 23%, and it must be paid before notarisation — details are in the article on inheritance tax.
- Failing to check the deceased’s debts: the inheritance also includes liabilities, up to the value of the estate (Article 1282 of the Civil Code). Sometimes renouncing the inheritance (Article 1273 of the Civil Code) is a sensible decision, and this can also be done remotely.
When a solicitor is not needed
If you are the sole first-order heir, the documents for the flat are in order, and there is a relative in Ukraine willing to act under a power of attorney, the procedure can be completed entirely without a solicitor: consulate/notary, post office, representative. A solicitor is required if the deadline has been missed, if there is a dispute between the heirs, if the documents relating to the property or family ties have been lost, or if there is no one in Ukraine to whom the matter can be entrusted.
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to settle an inheritance without travelling to Ukraine?
Yes, entirely: the application can be submitted by post, via the consulate or using an electronic digital signature (KEP); the collection of documents and registration can be carried out by a representative acting under a power of attorney; the certificate of inheritance can even be obtained at the consulate.
How long do I have to submit the application?
Six months from the date of the testator’s death (Article 1270 of the Civil Code). Martial law does not suspend this time limit — the Supreme Court has ruled that Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 164 on the suspension of time limits contradicts the Civil Code and is not applicable.
I am abroad and have missed the 6-month deadline. Is this a valid reason?
Not in itself. Practice as of 2026: neither war nor residence abroad automatically extends the deadline. Your chances depend on a combination of individual circumstances (medical treatment, occupation, proven lack of knowledge of the death) or the written consent of the other heirs.
Where should I arrange a power of attorney – at the consulate or with a local notary?
A consular power of attorney is valid in Ukraine immediately, but there are long queues. A power of attorney from a foreign notary is processed more quickly, but requires an apostille and a notarised translation. If time is of the essence, the second option is usually quicker.
How should I send the application by post?
By registered post with a list of contents and proof of delivery; the signature on the application must be notarised. If there is nowhere to have the signature notarised, send the application without notarisation: the notary will open a file and inform you of what to provide, and the deadline will be recorded.
I was registered at the same address as the deceased.
Do I need to submit an application as well?
No: an heir who was permanently residing with the deceased at the time the estate was opened is deemed to have accepted the inheritance automatically (Article 1268(3) of the Civil Code). However, you will still need to submit the documents to obtain the certificate.
Which documents need to be apostilled?
All those drawn up abroad and submitted to a Ukrainian notary: a power of attorney from a foreign notary, a foreign death certificate (if the relative died abroad), and other foreign documents. Plus a notarised translation into Ukrainian.
How long does the remote application process take?
The certificate is issued no earlier than 6 months from the date of death. Taking into account the power of attorney, the collection of documents and the registration of ownership rights, the realistic timeframe is 7–10 months; with a court-ordered extension of the deadline, it can take over a year.
Is it possible to renounce an inheritance from abroad?
Yes, within the same 6-month period, by means of a notarised declaration (Article 1273 of the Civil Code) — in particular, in favour of another heir. Under a will, you may only renounce the inheritance in favour of a person also named in the will. This is relevant when the estate has more debts than assets.
What tax will I pay as an heir living abroad?
If you have retained your status as a tax resident of Ukraine and are a first- or second-degree relative — 0%. If you have become a non-resident — 18% personal income tax + 5% military levy, payable prior to notarisation. The full table of rates can be found in our article on inheritance tax 2026.
Sources
- Civil Code of Ukraine, Articles 1268–1273, 1282 — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/435-15
- Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 164 of 28 February 2022 ‘Certain Issues Relating to Notarial Services under Martial Law’ — zakon.rada.gov.ua
- Supreme Court case law 2025–2026 on time limits for accepting an inheritance — reyestr.court.gov.ua
- Procedure for the performance of notarial acts by notaries in Ukraine (Ministry of Justice Order No. 296/5) — zakon.rada.gov.ua
Remote inheritance registration with ‘Svarog’
Send us a message via messenger telling us where you are now and when the inheritance became available — we’ll work out how much time is left, advise you on the quickest way to arrange a power of attorney in your country, and handle the entire process in Ukraine on your behalf: from submitting the application to the notary to registering ownership. If the deadline has already passed, we’ll give you an honest assessment of your chances in court before you spend any money. Related services: inheritance solicitor, legal representation in court, full price list.
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