Since September 2018, Flemings have been able to pass on (part of) an inheritance. The reasoning behind it: we are living longer and longer, which means we are also inheriting at a later age. ‘Elderly people often need these resources less, while the younger generation can make good use of them,’ explains Flemish lawmaker Katrien Schryvers (Christian democrat CD&V), who requested the figures.
Inheritance donations mean an heir can pass on (part of) their inheritance free of charge to children or grandchildren. In doing so, the heir does not have to pay tax. The condition is that you pass the inheritance on within the year you yourself inherited.
Flemings warm to the new system
After more than six years, the system is becoming increasingly well established in Flanders figures from the Flemish Tax Administration show. In 2024, 2,212 people benefited from an inheritance donation deed, accounting for almost 343.8 million euros. Almost a quarter more deeds were drawn up than in the previous year.
Money can be passed on as well as real estate. A total of 2,235 real estate properties were passed on. The lowest amount passed on was 75 euros, the highest was a handsome gift of almost 3 million. The average amount is 169,000 euros.
Since the introduction of the “inheritance donation” system, 5,028 Flemings donated an inheritance, accounting for almost 1.5 billion euros.
‘Inheritance donors’ average 73 years
The great added value, according to Schryvers, is that inheritances can be passed on to younger generations. ‘Good for our economy and good for our families,’ is the reasoning.
Those who donate are on average 73 years old, recipients are 43 on average.