The Italian ECS Register joins the European Network

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The Italian register of European Certificates of Succession (ECS) joined the European Network of Registers of Wills on 12 June 2025, marking a significant step forward in European cooperation on cross-border succession matters. The European Certificate of Succession is an official document recognised in the 25 Member States subject to Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 of 4 July 2012. It establishes the status of heirs and other persons interested in a succession, enabling the quick, easy, and efficient settlement of cross-border successions within the European Union.

The legal certainty provided by this instrument is reinforced by the exchange of information on the issuance of ECSs across Member States. the European Network of Registers of Wills Association (ENRWA) works to ensure the proper use of ECS by sharing its expertise and interconnecting the ECS registers of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and now Italy. This interconnection allows notaries to securely exchange information on the existence of an ECS in one of these countries.

While not all EU Member States have yet established an ECS register, the ENRWA closely monitors developments in this area to further extend the network’s coverage. With the increase in cross-border successions, the smooth circulation of ECS references is essential to protect heirs’ rights and simplify procedures.