Key points
- In Brussels, the inheritance declaration must be filed within 4 months of death (5 months elsewhere in Europe, 6 months outside Europe), otherwise the tax is increased.
- The Brussels direct-line scale runs from 3% to 30%, with a reduced rate (2% to 12% up to €250,000) on the former family home for direct heirs.
- Selling an inherited building amicably requires the agreement of all heirs: if they disagree, a judicial partition is, according to the notaries, long and costly.
- Diamant Consult sells inherited properties in Brussels for 2% excl. VAT all-inclusive, with a free first meeting and no obligation.
Can you sell an inherited house in Brussels?
Yes, an inherited property can be sold in Brussels, but only once the heirs agree among themselves and the notary can establish who owns what. When several heirs receive the same building, the result is joint ownership (indivision): according to notaire.be, the heirs must decide whether to stay co-owners or to divide the assets.
For a building, an amicable sale requires the agreement of all heirs. Once you have it, the property is sold like any other house or apartment in Brussels: asking price, photos, viewings, then the sale agreement and the deed at the notary.
What is the deadline to file the inheritance declaration?
The deadline is 4 months from the date of death if the person died in Belgium, 5 months if elsewhere in Europe and 6 months outside Europe (notaire.be · The inheritance declaration, in French). After that, inheritance tax is increased. An extension of one or two months is granted on simple request; a longer one must be justified.
This calendar matters for a seller: you do not have to sell in order to file, but the declaration and the payment of the tax set the pace of the whole process. You can prepare the sale in parallel, for instance by gathering the EPC and the property documents.
How much is inheritance tax in Brussels?
For a spouse, legal cohabitant or direct-line heir, the Brussels scale runs from 3% to 30% (notaire.be · Inheritance tax in Brussels, in French):
| Taxable share | Standard rate | Reduced rate (family home) |
|---|---|---|
| €0.01 to €50,000 | 3% | 2% |
| €50,000 to €100,000 | 8% | 5.3% |
| €100,000 to €175,000 | 9% | 6% |
| €175,000 to €250,000 | 18% | 12% |
| €250,000 to €500,000 | 24% | 24% |
| Above €500,000 | 30% | 30% |
The reduced rate applies to direct heirs when the estate includes full ownership of the house that was the deceased's main residence for at least 5 years, in the Brussels-Capital Region. The value concerned is capped at €250,000. Spouses and legal cohabitants are, under conditions, exempt on their share of the family home.
This tax is owed by the heirs, which is often why some families prefer to sell the property rather than keep it. Rules depend on each situation: your notary is the person to consult for the exact calculation.
What if the heirs do not agree?
If one heir refuses to sell, another can ask for a judicial partition: the court then appoints a notary whose role remains neutral and independent. According to notaire.be, this route is "long and costly". When the property cannot be divided in kind and there is no amicable sale, the sale is public (see public auctions via Biddit).
In practice, talking early, together and with the notary avoids most deadlocks. An amicable sale is usually faster and simpler than court proceedings.
How do you set the price of an inherited house?
The price is set on comparable sales in the neighbourhood, not on the figure in the estate file or on a family memory. For context, the notaries report an average house price in Brussels of €609,227 in Q3 2026 (notaire.be, see also our article on the Brussels property market in 2026). An inherited house is often an older one: condition, renovation needed and the EPC weigh heavily (everything about the EPC certificate).
What is the timeline for selling an inherited property?
- Within 4 months of death: inheritance declaration (one or two months' extension possible on request).
- In parallel: agreement between heirs, property documents (EPC, soil certificate, urban planning information).
- On the market: price set on comparable sales, then viewings and sale agreement. For usual timings, see how long it takes to sell in Brussels.
- Deed: at the notary, with payment of the price and the split between heirs.
How Diamant Consult helps with the sale of an inherited property
Diamant Consult, based in Schaerbeek (Avenue du Diamant 138), sells houses and apartments in all 19 Brussels communes and in Brabant wallon for 2% excl. VAT, all-inclusive. The first meeting is free and without obligation: that is where the asking price is set with the heirs. The deed is signed at the office of notary Stephan Borremans. On a house at €609,227, a 2% excl. VAT commission comes to about €12,185 excl. VAT, which is easy to share between heirs. To compare commission models, read how much an estate agent costs in Brussels.
Selling in your municipality
Statbel median prices, neighbourhoods and our 2% excl. VAT service: find the page for your municipality.
- Schaerbeek
- Anderlecht
- Auderghem
- Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
- City of Brussels
- Etterbeek
- Evere
- Forest
- Ganshoren
- Ixelles
- Jette
- Koekelberg
- Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
- Saint-Gilles
- Saint-Josse-ten-Noode
- Uccle
- Watermael-Boitsfort
- Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
- Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
- Waterloo
- La Hulpe
- Wavre
- Rixensart
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Frequently asked questions
Can you sell an inherited house before filing the inheritance declaration?
The declaration must be filed within 4 months of death and can be prepared at the same time as the sale. Your notary will tell you what is possible in your file.
What is inheritance tax in Brussels?
For a spouse, legal cohabitant or direct-line heir, the scale runs from 3% (up to €50,000) to 30% (above €500,000), according to notaire.be. A reduced rate exists for the former family home of direct heirs.
What if one heir refuses to sell?
Another heir can ask for a judicial partition: the court appoints a notary. According to notaire.be, this route is long and costly, so it is worth seeking agreement first.
How much does it cost to sell an inherited property with Diamant Consult?
The commission is 2% excl. VAT, all-inclusive, as for any sale. The first meeting is free and without obligation.
Sources
- notaire.be · Droits de succession à Bruxelles
- notaire.be · La déclaration de succession
- notaire.be · Indivision ou partage d'une succession
- notaire.be · Immobilier du 3e trimestre 2026
Thinking of selling? Diamant Consult sells your house or apartment anywhere in Brussels for 2% excl. VAT, all in: free first meeting, professional photos, Immoweb listing, viewings and follow-up through to the notary deed. Book a meeting →