General
Smart Gifting: How to Save on Inheritance Tax and Enjoy Your Legacy
Financial planner Nihal Vogels and lawyer Theo Gommer advise giving away assets while alive to reduce inheritance tax and care costs. By lowering one's net worth before death, individuals can minimize the taxable estate, which benefits heirs through annual exemptions of 6,908 euros for children in 2026 and a one-time exemption of 33,129 euros for those aged 18 to 40. Gifting also reduces the personal contribution required for long-term nursing home care. Options include direct gifting, notarial paper gifts where funds remain with the donor but accrue interest, or utilizing specific exemptions for housing purchases. This strategy allows donors to witness their contributions positively impact their families' lives, such as funding renovations or studies, while legally optimizing financial outcomes.
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