What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the planning of the transfer of your assets. This can be done, for example, by transferring or donating now, but also after death. It is an important part of your Broader financial planning, not least because it allows you to optimize the financial care for your next of kin. To record certain parts - such as your will - you need the services of a notary.
Why estate planning is important for you
For many people, the main motivation to take care of their estate planning is to leave their next of kin as well cared for as possible. An estate plan answers the question of how you can arrange this and what the tax and legal consequences are. This is not only about financial matters, but also, for example, about the possibilities of arranging the continuity of your possible business and business succession. The larger your assets, the more important a well-thought-out estate plan is. The independent, external estate planners we work with at InsingerGilissen can draw up an estate plan for you. We will bear the costs of this if you are (or will be) a client with (family) assets invested with us from €1 million.
Estate planning during life and death
The estate planner who draws up a solid estate plan together with you will first of all map out how and by whom your assets will be inherited. The planner takes into account any prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement and your current will. This provides insight and an estimate can be made of how much inheritance tax will be due. A gift plan is often part of the estate plan. You can then see what the financial benefits can be of transferring assets to your (grand)children and other beneficiaries during your lifetime.
Your prenuptial agreement deserves attention…
If you are married, you may have made agreements together in your prenuptial agreement. For example, you may have agreed to keep your own assets separate. This often happens if one spouse owns a business and wants to prevent the other spouse's assets from being affected by any potential risks. However, if assets have been accumulated during a period of success, it is important to review the previously made agreements and consider the tax consequences in the event of death. Therefore, in an estate plan, the estate planner examines the desirability of amending the prenuptial agreement. Similar possibilities exist for registered partners and cohabitants with a cohabitation contract to change agreements during their lifetime.
... just like your will
In a will, you regulate who inherits your assets and for what part. Under Dutch statutory inheritance law, a spouse or registered partner inherits an equal share to that of a child. You can reduce that share in your will. You can also give your spouse options for settling the estate in the best possible way with regard to inheritance taxes and asset disposition. A smart will in the Netherlands is a choice will, also known as a combination will. This type of will offers flexibility in the event of the death of one of the spouses, allowing for optimal use of inheritance tax exemptions for partners and children.
Timely estate planning provides peace of mind and insight
Gaining insight into your estate and knowing what you can arrange provides peace of mind for you and your next of kin. This benefits you and your next of kin. You can also talk with your next of kin about what is important to you. Are you a client of InsingerGilissen? Then, independent estate planners can draw up an estate plan for you. These measures are recorded in your prenuptial agreement (if applicable) and will at your notary.
Estate planning and inheritance tax: exemptions in 2025
As mentioned, one important reason people have an estate plan drawn up is to ensure their next of kin are cared for. A well-thought-out plan can also provide opportunities to reduce inheritance taxes if you have substantial assets. In the Netherlands, anyone who inherits from a partner or (grand)parent will enjoy an inheritance tax exemption of up to €804,698 (partner) or €25,490 (grandchild) in 2025, respectively. Other recipients have an exemption of €2,690. Institutions with ANBI status are exempt from gift and inheritance tax because their assets serve the public interest.
The inheritance tax rates depend on the value of the estate and the relationship with the deceased. The table below shows rates for 2025.
| Value of inheritance over exemption | Partner, child (with a disability) | Grandchildren, further descendants | Other heirs |
| up to € 154.197 | 10% | 18% | 30% |
| from € 154.197 | 20% | 36% | 40% |
Optimizing legacy
Optimizing a substantial estate is an art form. That's why we offer our clients the services of a professional external estate planner. Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific advice for your legacy here. However, we can share some general optimization strategies.
First, consider donating while you're still alive. You can do this by taking advantage of the annual gift exemption. Not ready to transfer the money yet? Then, you can ‘donate on paper’ via a notarial deed, which allows you to make a donation without immediately transferring liquid funds.
You can also ask the notary to help you write your will. One option is the 'optional will' or 'combination will,' which allows the surviving spouse to make choices to settle the estate in the best possible way. The so-called ‘filling legacy’ can also be beneficial. The surviving spouse supplements the inheritance up to the maximum of the first inheritance tax bracket, reducing the tax burden. Specific clauses, such as the exclusion or administration clauses, can also offer extra protection.
For significant assets, a family fund may also be appealing. By placing assets in such a fund, including investments such as shares or real estate, any increase in the assets' value can remain outside the estate, thus avoiding inheritance tax. Family members can participate to a greater or lesser extent, receiving participations, so the distribution among family members can be flexible.
You can also use insurance. A life insurance policy that pays heirs tax-free can help cover inheritance taxes without requiring the sale of assets. If designed properly, the benefit can be tax-free.
A practical example
An example can clarify the added value of estate planning. Suppose John is a 65-year-old entrepreneur with a capital of € 5 million, consisting of his company, investments and real estate. He has two children and wants to transfer his assets in a tax-efficient way. Without planning, inheritance tax would be due on the entire assets upon death, at rates of up to 20%.
Gifting using annual exemptions
John starts with annual donations of € 6,713 per child (2025 exemption). This gradually reduces his taxable assets for inheritance tax purposes without direct taxation. Under certain conditions, a one-off increased exemption applies. John can make a one-off tax-free gift of €32,195 to each child (exemption 2025). He has determined (by means of a notarial deed) that the gifts are covered by an exclusion clause, as a result of which the donated assets remain the private property of the child, even in the event of divorce.
Transfer of business with business succession scheme
In the Netherlands, entrepreneurs can take advantage of the Bedrijfsopvolgingsregeling (Business Succession Scheme, abbreviation: BOR). For example, if John transfers his business to his children, if the business is donated in 2025, it will be exempt from gift tax up to a value of €1,500,000. Any excess is 75% exempt. However, certain conditions apply to the BOR, such as the requirement that the recipient be at least 21 years old.
Tip: Contact an estate planner or notary at least five years before the intended transfer. The Dutch tax authorities impose a minimum holding period (the "possession requirement") and a continuation period of three years from 2025 ("continuation requirement").
By spreading donations over time and taking advantage of exemptions, you can significantly reduce inheritance tax. The BOR can also save on inheritance tax when transferring a business. In short, smart estate planning can reduce the tax burden.
What are the costs for estate planning?
Depending on your personal situation, the complexity of your assets, and the additional services you need, the costs for estate planning in the Netherlands can easily amount to several thousand euros. Estate planners offer customized solutions, such as minimizing inheritance tax, protecting assets, and including charities in the estate. InsingerGilissen often covers the costs of an estate planner for its clients. The cost of drafting a will or amending a prenuptial agreement varies. Ask your notary for a quote so you know where you stand in advance.
The role of InsingerGilissen
Are you looking for an estate planning expert? Do you have investable assets totaling one million euros or more? If so, we would like to meet you. Financial planning is central to our services. Before proposing financial services, such as investment or credit, we extensively get to know you. We want to know what motivates you, what financial and intangible goals you have, and what your obligations and responsibilities are, including those related to your family.
Next, you will have an in-depth conversation with a private or estate planner to gain insight into possible scenarios in the event of life or death. To this end, we collaborate with a select group of independent external experts. You will therefore receive a detailed financial or estate plan called a "Private Plan." It contains the available options and the expected consequences of each decision. Only then will we discuss the practical realization of your wishes and the possible role of our products and services in this process.
Personal estate plan
Has your estate planner drawn up a report for you? If so, you will have a clear understanding of the appropriate measures for your case. After consulting your notary and tax advisor, you can choose from the proposed actions. Your notary can then officially record the matters. Your tax advisor can also help you structure your assets. This is especially important if you are an entrepreneur. The estate planner will also point out the possibility of appointing an executor for your will, who is the person responsible for carrying out your wishes. You can also appoint an administrator for part of the estate so that children, for example, do not have full access to their inheritance until they are over 18. Another important question is who will be in charge if you can no longer make decisions yourself, for example, due to dementia. In short, the estate planner helps you make decisions and get a clear picture of the future.
Your estate plan as part of a broader wealth strategy
The next step is to determine how your freely investable assets can be invested to help you achieve your financial goals while taking your wishes and preferences into account. We review your situation and asset development at least annually to see if you are still on track to achieve your goals. Every five years, we will update your Private Plan—our term for your financial or estate plan—at our expense. After all, your circumstances or wishes may change.
Conclusion: Think ahead with a specialist.
Estate planning is looking ahead. Timely preparation of your estate provides peace of mind and offers tax benefits. However, it is also a specialized field of expertise, which is why we consult with external experts on your behalf. We believe our clients benefit from combining a solid private plan with our investment services. In other words, it's the combination of a specialist in estate planning and us, specialists in asset management.