What Happens to Overseas Assets When Someone Dies in the UK?

When someone dies with overseas assets, the UK executor usually has two jobs: deal with the UK estate properly, and work out what authority is needed in the country where the overseas asset sits. Foreign property, overseas bank accounts and investments can affect Inheritance Tax, probate timing and the paperwork you need.

This guide explains the practical route for UK families. It is general information, not legal advice; cross-border estates can become complex quickly, so take specialist advice if there is property, tax, forced-heirship law or family disagreement involved.

What counts as an overseas asset?

An overseas asset is anything the person owned outside the UK. Common examples include:

• a holiday home or land abroad
• money in a foreign bank account
• overseas shares, investment accounts or pensions
• business interests in another country
• vehicles, boats or valuable personal items kept abroad
• cryptocurrency or digital accounts held through a non-UK platform

Start by listing the asset, the country, the provider or registry, the estimated value at the date of death, and who has access to documents. GetPassage can help you keep a single checklist of institutions, documents and next actions so nothing gets lost between family members.

Do overseas assets go through UK probate?

Sometimes, but not always. UK probate gives an executor authority to deal with assets in England and Wales. It does not automatically give authority in every other country.

For UK probate valuation, GOV.UK guidance says overseas property or money in foreign bank accounts is considered when working out the estate for Inheritance Tax, but is subtracted when calculating the gross value for probate. That means overseas assets may matter for tax even where the UK grant itself is not the document used to sell or close the foreign asset.

In practice, you may need one of the following:

Situation	What may be needed
UK bank accounts only	UK probate may be enough if required
UK estate plus foreign bank account	UK probate plus the bank’s local requirements
Foreign property	Advice in the country where the property is located
Several countries involved	Coordinated UK and overseas legal advice

Inheritance Tax and overseas assets

The UK tax treatment depends on the person’s long-term connection with the UK and the rules in force at the date of death. For deaths after the April 2025 changes, GOV.UK explains that someone based abroad is generally within UK Inheritance Tax only for UK assets, while someone with sufficient UK residence history may have wider exposure. For older deaths, domicile rules may still be relevant.

Do not assume an overseas asset is outside the UK estate for tax. Equally, do not assume all foreign tax paid can be ignored. Some countries charge local inheritance, succession or property taxes. Double-taxation relief may be available where the same asset is taxed twice, but that is a specialist area.

A sensible first step is to record:

• where the person lived and was tax-resident before death
• how long they had lived in the UK or abroad
• where each asset is physically or legally located
• whether a foreign tax office, lawyer or bank has already been contacted
• whether the person made a will in more than one country

Check whether there is a foreign will

Some people make separate wills for different countries. That can be helpful, but it can also create confusion if one will accidentally revokes another.

Look for:

• a UK will
• a foreign will or notarial deed
• letters from overseas lawyers
• property purchase files
• bank or investment paperwork
• any document in another language that appears to appoint heirs or executors

If there is more than one will, get legal advice before sending documents to institutions. The wording matters.

Practical steps for executors

Use this order to stay in control:

1. Secure documents. Find passports, death certificates, wills, property deeds, bank statements and tax references.
2. Do not sell or transfer assets immediately. Local succession law may restrict what you can do.
3. Value each asset at the date of death. Keep evidence of exchange rates and valuation sources.
4. Contact the UK probate or tax adviser. Ask how the asset should be included in the estate figures.
5. Contact the overseas institution or lawyer. Ask exactly what authority they require and whether translations or notarised copies are needed.
6. Keep beneficiaries updated. Overseas estates often take longer, and silence creates avoidable tension.

Documents you may be asked for

Overseas banks, registries and lawyers commonly ask for:

• an official death certificate
• a certified copy of the will
• the UK grant of probate or letters of administration, if issued
• passport or identity documents for the executor
• proof of address
• notarised or apostilled documents
• certified translations
• tax identification numbers

Requirements vary by country and institution. Ask for the list in writing before paying for translations or notarisation.

Why overseas estates take longer

Even a straightforward foreign bank account can add weeks or months. Property abroad can take longer because of local courts, land registries, tax clearance, translation and currency transfers.

Delays are more likely where:

• the country has forced-heirship rules
• there is no local will
• the asset is jointly owned with unclear survivorship rights
• beneficiaries live in different countries
• local tax has to be paid before transfer
• documents need an apostille or sworn translation

When to get professional help

Get specialist advice if there is overseas property, a business, a dispute, uncertain tax residence, a foreign-language will, or significant value in another jurisdiction. A UK probate solicitor may coordinate with a lawyer in the relevant country.

For a small overseas bank balance, the provider may have a bereavement process you can handle directly. For property, do not wing it. The cost of fixing a mistaken transfer can be higher than getting advice early.

Key takeaway

Overseas assets are not just an extra line on the probate form. They can change tax reporting, document requirements, timing and who has authority to act. Make a clear asset list, separate UK probate from foreign authority, and get country-specific advice where property or tax is involved.