Updated on October 16, 2026
In 30 seconds
The Pflichtteil is the minimum share that German law reserves for close relatives left out of a will. According to the guide of the Italian Embassy in Berlin, it is worth half of the statutory share and gives a right to a sum of money. Italian forced heirship (legittima) is different: it protects the spouse, children and parents and allows a claim on the assets. Which rule applies depends on the law that governs the succession.
For the general picture, read the guide Italians in Germany: Legal Guide.
In this article
- Two different systems
- Why the applicable law matters
- Practical steps
- Frequent case
- The best solution for you
- Frequently asked questions
- Official sources
Two different systems
Pflichtteil (Germany). It belongs to a person who is left out of the inheritance. It is a money claim: whoever holds it does not become a co-owner of the assets. If the estate is mainly a house, the heirs may have to sell to pay. Who is entitled and how the sum is calculated must be checked in the specific case.
Legittima (Italy). The forced heirs (legittimari), meaning the people to whom the law reserves a share, are the spouse, children and parents. The shares are set by the Civil Code. A forced heir whose share has been infringed can bring an action for reduction, that is, ask the judge to reduce the gifts and bequests that exceed the disposable share. The Embassy’s guide indicates a time limit of ten years from the opening of the succession. The time limit must be checked in the specific case.
Why the applicable law matters
If the deceased lived in Germany, German law usually applies, and so does the Pflichtteil. If the will chose Italian law, the legittima applies. The choice changes who can claim what. See the article Inheritance of an Italian Living in Germany: Erbschein and European Certificate of Succession.
The Pflichtteil is also subject to limitation periods, that is, deadlines after which the right can no longer be asserted. It is best not to wait and to have the time limit checked right away.
Practical steps
- Reconstruct the family: spouse, children, parents, any children from a previous marriage.
- Look for the will and check whether it contains a choice of law.
- List the assets in Germany and in Italy, with a value estimated by a surveyor.
- Work out who is left out and what claim they may have.
- Write with proof of receipt to whoever manages the estate, without letting the deadlines pass.
- Ask a tax accountant (commercialista) about the tax effects.
Frequent case · A problem that happens often
An Italian mother lives in Cologne. In her will she leaves everything to her son and nothing to her daughter. She owns a house in Campania. The daughter asks whether she can “get her share of the house back.” Under German law she would usually have a money claim, not ownership. Under Italian law she could instead bring an action for reduction. Everything depends on which law governs the succession.
Frequent case described in general terms: names, places and details do not refer to real people or cases.
The best solution for you
First: Reconstruct the family, look for the will and check whether it contains a choice of law.
Then: Under German law the Pflichtteil is usually a money claim. Under Italian law the forced heir whose share has been infringed can bring an action for reduction.
If the office or the other side does not cooperate: If whoever manages the estate does not reply, write with proof of receipt and have the time limits checked right away.
It usually pays to: Usually it pays to establish first which law governs the succession. It determines who can claim what, and with which tool.
What to do now
- Reconstruct the spouse, children, parents and any children from a previous marriage.
- Look for the will and check the choice of law.
- List the assets in Germany and in Italy, with an estimated value.
No route guarantees an outcome.
Learn more: Legal guides from Studio Legale Fiorentino.
How attorney Fiorentino can help you
- Gather the will, the family details and the list of assets with an estimate of their value.
- Check with the firm the applicable law and the time limits, including that of the Pflichtteil.
- For the video call, prepare a chart of the family members: who is left out and who is an heir.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Pflichtteil give a share of the house?
No. According to the Embassy’s guide, it is a money claim, not a share of the assets.
How much is the Pflichtteil worth?
The Embassy’s guide indicates half of the statutory share. The exact calculation depends on the family and the estate.
Who is a forced heir in Italy?
The spouse, children and parents.
Within what time can you bring an action for reduction in Italy?
The Embassy’s guide indicates ten years from the opening of the succession. It is best to check the time limit in the specific case.
Can you choose Italian law?
Yes, with an express statement in the will, under EU Regulation 650/2012.
Read also
- Italians in Germany: Legal Guide
- Inheritance of an Italian Living in Germany: Erbschein and European Certificate of Succession
- Italian and German Dual Citizenship: What Applies Today
Official sources
Institutional pages consulted; the official source always prevails for up-to-date texts.
- Italian Embassy in Berlin: guides to consular services and succession
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on succession
Where to find us
The firm is based in Naples (Piazza Giovanni Bovio 22 and Via Monte di Dio 14) and works throughout Italy; the first meeting can be held by video call.
Informational text, prepared with the help of artificial intelligence tools. Author: attorney Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino.
Do you have a similar issue?
Every situation depends on the documents of the specific case. You can contact the firm from anywhere, remotely.