Many heirs in the Netherlands do not know the inheritance tax return can be filed in three ways: yourself, with online guidance, or by a notary or tax adviser (RB or NOB). The inheritance tax itself is identical across channels because it is set by the Successiewet 1956. What varies is only the cost of filing.
Three typical price ranges
| Channel | Price | When |
|---|---|---|
| DIY via Mijn Belastingdienst | 0 euros | Simple estate, comfortable with forms |
| Online guided (Nalenta) | 129 euros flat | You want certainty and a roadmap, no notary |
| Notary | 1,500 to 3,500 euros | Will, gifts, real estate, complex family |
| Tax adviser (RB or NOB) | 800 to 2,500 euros | Optimisation questions, no declaration of inheritance |
What does a notary cost exactly?
Notary fees in the Netherlands are not regulated, unlike in Belgium. Rates vary by office. A typical estate with a house, savings and two heirs costs at a notary roughly:
- declaration of inheritance (verklaring van erfrecht): 350 to 700 euros;
- estate inventory (boedelbeschrijving) when needed: 500 to 1,500 euros;
- inheritance tax filing: 600 to 1,500 euros;
- transfers and deeds: 250 to 800 euros per deed.
For a simple estate without a will, the total often runs to 2,000 to 3,500 euros. With a will and real estate, more.
What do you get for 129 euros with Nalenta?
For a flat fee, Nalenta delivers:
- a personalised file in NL and EN;
- calculation of the inheritance tax per heir with the right exemptions (partner 808,106 euros, children 25,490 euros in 2025);
- the right form for Mijn Belastingdienst with the basic details prefilled as a starting point;
- guidance e-mails, deadline alerts and bank templates;
- no subscription, no hidden fees.
Side costs to keep in mind
Beyond the filing itself:
- death certificate: free to a few euros per copy at the municipality;
- declaration of inheritance: 350 to 700 euros at the notary (no free option in NL, unlike BE);
- real-estate valuation: 0 euros using the WOZ value, or 350 to 600 euros for an NWWI report;
- translation of foreign documents: 30 to 80 euros per page;
- funeral: 7,000 to 12,000 euros (separate from the filing, often payable from the frozen account).
Example: average Dutch estate
Father dies, married, two children, house + savings, no will:
| Item | Notary route | Nalenta DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration of inheritance | 500 euros | 500 euros (notary still needed) |
| Inheritance tax filing | 1,000 euros | 129 euros |
| WOZ or valuation | 0 euros (WOZ) | 0 euros (WOZ) |
| Total | 1,500 euros | 629 euros |
The inheritance tax itself stays the same: it is a tax under the Successiewet 1956, not the cost of filing.
When is a notary still required?
Sometimes a notary is unavoidable, for example:
- real estate transferred to heirs;
- a minor heir (kantonrechter is involved);
- foreign assets or a will with executor;
- disagreement between heirs.
Read our guide on whether you need a notary.
Nalenta and transparency
With Nalenta, everything is included in the 129 euros: file, calculation, downloads, reminders. No hidden consultancy hours. For inheritance tax brackets per heir see inheritance tax rates.