Sweden Inheritance Guide for Kobe (神戸市)
This guide covers inheritance tax implications for Sweden nationals who own or inherit property in Kobe, Japan. A major port city with one of Japan's oldest international communities. Known for its cosmopolitan Kitano district.
Property Values in Kobe
Average Land Value (路線価)
¥190,000/㎡
100㎡ Land Assessed Value
¥19.0 million
Estimated Tax (100㎡, 2 heirs)
¥0 (Tax-Free — within basic deduction)
Based on average land values. Actual values vary significantly by ward/district. Use the calculator for a specific address.
Applicable Law for Sweden 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.
Swedish Inheritance Code (Ärvdabalk, 1958) governs succession. Sweden opted out of the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) along with Denmark and Ireland. Sweden traditionally follows the domicile principle for conflict of laws.
Renvoi (反致): May Apply
Swedish conflict of laws rules apply the law of the decedent's domicile for movable property and lex rei sitae for immovable property. For immovable property in Japan, Swedish rules point to Japanese law, resulting in renvoi.
Tax Obligation in Kobe
Unlimited Taxpayer
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
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 has a tax treaty with Sweden that may provide relief from double taxation on property in Kobe.
Required Documents
Bouppteckning (Estate Inventory)
Swedish estate inventory document registered with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
Personbevis (Personal Certificate)
Swedish population register extract showing family relationships.
Apostille
Sweden is a Hague Convention member. Apostille from Notarius Publicus.
Certified Japanese Translation
Swedish-language documents translated into Japanese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is inheritance tax on property in Kobe for Sweden nationals?
With an average land value of ¥190,000/㎡ in Kobe, a 100㎡ property is valued at approximately ¥19.0 million. With 2 heirs, this falls within the basic deduction (¥42 million), so no tax would be owed.
Which law applies to Sweden inheritance in Japan?
Swedish Inheritance Code (Ärvdabalk, 1958) governs succession. Sweden opted out of the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) along with Denmark and Ireland. Sweden traditionally follows the domicile principle for conflict of laws.
Do Sweden nationals need to pay inheritance tax in Japan?
Yes, if the heir or decedent has a domicile in Japan. Japan has a tax treaty with Sweden that may provide relief from double taxation.
Need Help with Inheritance in Kobe?
Get connected with English-speaking tax professionals experienced in international inheritance cases in the Kobe area.
Sweden Guides for Other Cities
Kobe 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.