Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Romania

A will in Romania is usually made before a notary as a testament autentic, or written entirely by hand as a testament olograf, and it has to respect the reserved share of children, spouse and parents. English-speaking lawyers help foreigners with property in Romania choose the form, the applicable law and the wording.
lawyers in Romania
2
cases in this service
1
clients' rating in Romania
4.95 ★

About Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Romania

Making a will in Romania (a last will and testament, also a Romanian will or a will for property in Romania; in Romanian testament) lets a person decide who receives their property after death. Romanian law knows two ordinary forms: the notarial will (testament autentic), signed before a notary public (notar public), and the handwritten will (testament olograf). Both have to respect the reserved share of close family, the rezerva succesorală. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Make a last Will & Testament”.

Who it is for

  • Foreigners who own a flat, a house, land or a company in Romania.
  • Expats living in Romania with family or assets in several countries.
  • Romanians abroad who want their property in Romania to pass smoothly.

The two forms

  • Notarial will: the notary records the testator’s wishes, reads them back and authenticates the will, which is entered in the national notarial register so that it can be found after death. A testator who does not speak Romanian signs with the help of an interpreter.
  • Handwritten will: written in full, dated and signed in the testator’s own hand. After death it is presented to a notary to be checked before it is carried out, and its handwriting can be disputed.

Points to settle in the will

  • Under the EU Succession Regulation, a foreigner can choose in the will the law of their nationality for the whole estate; without a choice, the law of the country of habitual residence applies.
  • Romanian law does not allow two people to make one joint will; spouses each make their own.
  • Children, the surviving spouse and parents are reserved heirs; gifts beyond the free part (cotitatea disponibilă) can be reduced at their request.
  • A will made abroad can be valid in Romania if its form is accepted there; a lawyer checks it, along with the translation the Romanian notary will ask for.
  • Rules on land held by non-EU nationals can affect what a non-EU heir receives under a will.

What a lawyer does

An English-speaking lawyer reviews the assets in Romania and abroad, explains the choice of law, prepares the wording with the notary and coordinates it with any will made in another country. Related pages: inheritance in Romania, contest a will, property purchase and power of attorney.

Questions and answers

Is my English will valid in Romania?

Often it is, if it meets the form rules Romania recognises. It will need a translation, and for property in Romania a local will is often simpler for the heirs.

Do I need a Romanian will if I have one at home?

Not always, but a separate Romanian will for Romanian property, worded so that it does not revoke the other one, can make the succession easier.

Is a handwritten will enough?

It is valid if written, dated and signed entirely by hand, but it is easier to lose or to dispute than a notarial will.

Can I leave everything to my spouse?

Only within the free part of the estate. Children and, when there are none, parents keep their reserved share unless they choose not to claim it.

2 lawyers who provide Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Romania

Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.

  • Sorina, lawyer in Bucharest

    Sorina

    Lawyer · Bucharest, Romania

    • 94 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 8+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Romanian
    • Degree
    • 5.00(8 reviews)
    Contact Sorina
  • Cezara, lawyer in Bucharest

    Cezara

    Lawyer · Bucharest, Romania

    • 159 cases handled
    • 20+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Romanian
    • Law, University of Bucharest - Faculty of Law
    • 4.88(5 reviews)
    Contact Cezara
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What our clients say about our service in Romania

  • In 2021 my wife and I moved from America to Spain, where we found out that Spanish law required each of us to have a will if one of us died, so the survivor could reach the cash in our Spanish bank accounts. In 2025 we contacted the lawyer to get this done. She speaks good English and carried out the task expertly and efficiently, even joining us at the notary's office to finalize the paperwork. We were so pleased that we also hired her for our Spanish taxes for 2025. They were done perfectly too, and we even received a refund. I would definitely recommend her for any need under Spanish law. The fees were very reasonable and well earned.
    — Lucky
    17 Aug 2026
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • She was always very helpful, and I would recommend her.
    — Jeffrey
    07 Jul 2026
  • Professional advice sorted out all my requests; I am very satisfied.
    — Michael
    03 Jul 2026
  • The lawyer was exemplary. A matter concerning a will needed immediate attention during my stay in the country, and he handled the legal review, the notarial consultation and the procurement of witnesses fast, reliably and efficiently, with professional expertise. When you need legal advice in Portugal, he is the person to go to.
    — Steve
    11 Jun 2026
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • The lawyer in Oviedo gave us great service, with a professional and friendly manner. His English is excellent, and he planned everything well, including the help with the notary. Thank you!
    — Goe
    30 Jan 2026
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • The lawyer has helped my family for many years, always fantastic and consistent, with good communication throughout. She is very professional and knowledgeable, and always on hand to answer questions and offer good advice. I would recommend her; she is first class.
    — Kate
    10 Dec 2025
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • What a service! The lawyer is by far the most professional, thorough and helpful lawyer or solicitor I have dealt with, and my international affairs mean I have worked with plenty. When we wanted our wills drawn up, we did not want them under Spanish law. He saw to it that they were prepared and secured under the laws of our home countries and yet fully valid here in Gran Canaria under Spanish law. My wife is 78 and needed to sell her apartment while keeping the right to live in it for the rest of her life (at least 30 years), at an agreed lower rent and with usufruct rights, so that she would get cash from the sale without losing her home. He sorted that out too. He arranged everything, the notary included, and provided us with English translations of the Spanish contract. I cannot stress enough that he was available at any time by phone, email or WhatsApp. He even went through everything with us at the notary's office, and whenever something was unclear or not in our favour, he had it redrafted again and again. His integrity, professionalism and commitment to his clients are the best I have ever met. If you need a lawyer in Gran Canaria who speaks excellent English and keeps cool under the heaviest pressure, he is the one to have beside you. Simply the best is what you get, as the song says. If you fear he will be expensive, there is no need: I paid more in the UK and Germany, among other countries where I needed legal representation. Both my British wife and I have hired him several times by now, and we will always keep returning to him, whatever else comes up. This review is long, I know, but I could say much more about his superb work. If you are not yet convinced, there is nothing more I can say. Until next time, to a legal-knowledge computer on two legs, and a wonderful one!
    — Michael
    27 Jun 2025
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • She was very professional and knowledgeable about the law, and also kind and empathetic when we discussed my options on a very personal point. The assistance was excellent and I would recommend her without hesitation.
    — Jennifer
    29 May 2025
  • The lawyer was personal and professional while writing and filing my Will. She is friendly, and she could advise me on the complexities of a Will in Portugal and on the legal requirements, which differ from those of Australia, where I am a national.
    — Michael
    24 Mar 2025
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • Friendly, patient and easy to understand.
    — Darren
    26 Feb 2025
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
  • The lawyer handled my request very well, and his English was perfect. I am completely satisfied.
    — Carl
    18 Feb 2025
  • I needed a Will covering my Spanish assets and so returned to the lawyer who had already done an excellent job when we bought our property. She was just as professional this time: she listened to what I needed and then drafted a Will that fitted it. Within days it was all finished, an amazing job. I would gladly use these services again, and without any hesitation.
    — Robert
    27 Jan 2025
    Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)