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How to make a will in Italy: holographic, notarial, secret
A will in Italy must follow precise forms to be valid. There are three types: holographic (handwritten, free), notarial (before a notary, more secure), and secret (confidential content, rarely used). Whichever type is chosen, it must respect the forced heirship shares guaranteed by law to spouses and children.
Authority
Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato
Time
1–2 ore
Updated
Apr 2026
What you need
- ✓Identity document
- ✓Tax code
- ✓List of assets to bequeath (real estate, accounts, cars, investments)
- ✓Tax codes of beneficiaries
- ✓Notarial deed (only for notarial will)
Step-by-step procedure
1
Choose the type of will: holographic or notarial
Holographic will: written entirely by hand by the testator (no computer), dated and signed. Free. Risks: can be lost, deteriorated, contested if handwriting is illegible or not updated. Public notarial will: dictated to the notary before 2 witnesses. Cost: €500–1,500. Advantages: kept by the notary in the General Register of Wills, difficult to contest, automatically executed upon death.
If you have significant assets or complex family situations (children from different relationships, disabilities, businesses), the notarial will is almost always preferable.
2
Respect mandatory forced heirship shares
In Italy you cannot leave everything to a stranger if you have a spouse or children. Mandatory forced heirship shares are: if only spouse → 1/2 to spouse; if only 1 child → 1/2 to child; if spouse + 1 child → 1/3 to spouse + 1/3 to child; if spouse + 2+ children → 1/4 to spouse + 1/2 to children divided among them. The remaining share (available quota) is free.
Heirs whose forced shares were violated can contest the will with a reduction action within 10 years of the succession opening.
3
Write the holographic will correctly
The holographic will must be: written entirely by hand (even one typed word invalidates it), dated (day, month, year), signed at the bottom. No witnesses or notary needed. Store it in a safe place and tell a trusted person. You can deposit it with a notary (cost €100-200) for added security — it will be included in the General Register of Wills.
Write on white paper, without excessive corrections. Each correction must be signed and dated in the margin. A notary can review the draft (for a fee) to verify its validity.
4
Modify or revoke your will at any time
A will can be modified or revoked at any time while you are alive and of sound mind. To revoke: write a new will (the most recent always prevails), or explicit revocation with notarial deed. Note: destroying the original of a holographic will is equivalent to revoking it (but proving this in court can be complicated).
If you have a notarial will and want to change it, the new will (even holographic) automatically supersedes the previous one.
📄
Registro Generale dei Testamenti — Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato
Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato
Frequently asked questions
Responsible authority
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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.
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