Portugal Inheritance Guide for Yokohama (横浜市)
This guide covers inheritance tax implications for Portugal nationals who own or inherit property in Yokohama, Japan. Japan's second-largest city by population, with a historic international port and large foreign community, especially in Naka-ku (Chinatown area).
Yokohama is home to approx. 105,000 foreign residents, predominantly from Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese. While Portugal nationals are a smaller community, the same inheritance tax rules apply to all foreign nationals with property in Yokohama.
Portugal Inheritance Tax Status
Portugal abolished inheritance tax in 2004. A stamp duty (Imposto do Selo) of 10% applies to gratuitous transfers, but spouses, descendants, and ascendants are exempt.
Note: Japanese inheritance tax applies to property in Japan regardless of Portugal's domestic tax regime.
Property Values by District in Yokohama
| District | Land Value (路線価) |
|---|---|
| Nishi-ku (西区) | ¥550,000/㎡ |
| Naka-ku (中区) | ¥450,000/㎡ |
| Kohoku-ku (港北区) | ¥300,000/㎡ |
| Aoba-ku (青葉区) | ¥280,000/㎡ |
| Tsurumi-ku (鶴見区) | ¥250,000/㎡ |
| Totsuka-ku (戸塚区) | ¥180,000/㎡ |
路線価 (rosenka) is the NTA assessed land value, approximately 80% of market value. Basic deduction with 2 heirs: ¥42,000,000. Calculate for your specific address.
Yokohama Overview for Portugal Nationals
Average Land Value
¥250,000/㎡
Value Range
¥180,000–550,000/㎡
Foreign Residents
~105,000
Estimated Tax (100㎡ at city average, 2 heirs)
¥0 (Tax-Free — within basic deduction)
Property Characteristics in Yokohama
Diverse property types from historic port-area buildings to modern waterfront condominiums. Hilly terrain creates significant value differences within short distances. Many properties in residential areas are 30+ years old.
Applicable Law for Portugal Nationals
Under Japan's Act on General Rules for Application of Laws (法の適用に関する通則法, Article 36), the inheritance of a person is governed by the national law of the decedent.
Portuguese Civil Code (Código Civil) governs succession. As an EU member, Portugal applies the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV): the law of habitual residence applies by default, with the option to choose national law.
Important: The applicable succession law is determined by nationality, not by the location of property. Even for property in Yokohama, Portugal succession law may govern inheritance rights — but Japanese tax law always determines the tax obligation on Japan-situs property.
Renvoi (反致): May Apply
Under Brussels IV, renvoi is generally excluded for intra-EU cases. For non-EU situations (assets in Japan), Portuguese conflict of laws rules under the Civil Code may refer to lex rei sitae for immovable property, resulting in renvoi to Japanese law.
Tax Obligation in Yokohama
Unlimited Taxpayer (無制限納税義務者)
Taxed on all worldwide assets.
Applies if: domiciled in Japan, OR foreign national with residence visa who has lived in Japan for 10+ years.
Limited Taxpayer (制限納税義務者)
Taxed only on assets in Japan.
Applies if: not domiciled in Japan, OR foreign national who has lived in Japan for less than 10 years.
Japan does not have a tax treaty with Portugal. Double taxation relief is only available through Japan's domestic foreign tax credit provisions (相続税法第20条の2).
Yokohama-Specific Inheritance Considerations
1.Yokohama's Chinatown (中華街) area has a long history of Chinese-owned commercial properties with complex inheritance structures
2.Port-area commercial properties may have special zoning that affects valuation
3.Hillside properties (多い in Yokohama) may have irregular lot shapes affecting land value assessment
4.International schools zone (Yamate area) commands premium land values
Filing Inheritance Tax in Yokohama
Inheritance tax returns must be filed within 10 months of the date of death at the tax office with jurisdiction over the decedent's last address.
Relevant Tax Offices in Yokohama:
- •Yokohama-Chuo Tax Office (横浜中税務署)
- •Yokohama-Minami Tax Office (横浜南税務署)
- •Tsurumi Tax Office (鶴見税務署)
For Portugal nationals, additional documentation may be required including translated certificates from Portugal. Filing in Japanese is required — most Portugal nationals engage a tax accountant (税理士) to handle the filing.
Required Documents for Portugal Nationals
Habilitação de Herdeiros
Portuguese notarial deed or court declaration establishing heir status.
Certidão de Nascimento / Casamento
Portuguese birth and marriage certificates from the Conservatória do Registo Civil.
Apostille
Portugal is a Hague Convention member. Apostille from the Procuradoria-Geral da República.
Certified Japanese Translation
All Portuguese-language documents translated into Japanese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is inheritance tax on property in Yokohama for Portugal nationals?
With an average land value of ¥250,000/㎡ in Yokohama, a 100㎡ property is valued at approximately ¥25.0 million. With 2 heirs, this falls within the basic deduction (¥42 million), so no tax would be owed. However, values in Yokohama range from ¥180,000/㎡ (Totsuka-ku (戸塚区)) to ¥550,000/㎡ (Nishi-ku (西区)), so actual tax varies significantly by location.
Which law applies to Portugal inheritance in Yokohama?
Portuguese Civil Code (Código Civil) governs succession. As an EU member, Portugal applies the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV): the law of habitual residence applies by default, with the option to choose national law. The location of property in Yokohama does not change the applicable law — it is determined by the decedent's nationality. However, Japanese inheritance tax applies to property located in Japan regardless of which country's succession law governs.
Do Portugal nationals need to pay inheritance tax on property in Yokohama?
Yes, if the heir or decedent has a domicile in Japan. Japan does not have a specific inheritance tax treaty with Portugal, so double taxation relief must be claimed under domestic rules (相続税法第20条の2). For reference: Portugal abolished inheritance tax in 2004. A stamp duty (Imposto do Selo) of 10% applies to gratuitous transfers, but spouses, descendants, and ascendants are exempt.
Which tax office handles inheritance tax filings in Yokohama?
Inheritance tax returns in Yokohama are filed at the tax office that has jurisdiction over the decedent's last address. Main tax offices: Yokohama-Chuo Tax Office (横浜中税務署), Yokohama-Minami Tax Office (横浜南税務署), Tsurumi Tax Office (鶴見税務署). The filing deadline is 10 months from the date of death.
What are typical land values in different parts of Yokohama?
Land values (路線価) in Yokohama vary significantly by district: from ¥180,000/㎡ in Totsuka-ku (戸塚区) to ¥550,000/㎡ in Nishi-ku (西区). These are the NTA assessed values (路線価), which are approximately 80% of market value.
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Portugal Guides for Other Cities
Yokohama Guides for Other Nationalities
This tool provides rough estimates only. It does not constitute tax advice or tax filing services. Actual tax obligations may differ significantly. Please consult a licensed tax professional (税理士) for accurate calculations. Land values are based on NTA published data and may not reflect current market conditions.