Can I sell my inheritance share without the others’ consent?

Yes. You may freely dispose of your own share; the contract must be notarially recorded (sections 2033, 2371 BGB). The remaining co-heirs, however, have a two-month right of first refusal.

How much is my inheritance share worth?

Arithmetically it equals your quota in the estate less its debts. But what an outside buyer pays usually lies well below that, because they price in uncertainty and the risk of conflict. A neutral valuation provides the sound basis here.

Why do commercial buyers pay so little?

Because they buy not a clearly delimited part of the house, but a say in a group of strangers — with all the uncertainty about value, debts and duration. You bear that discount. A buyout within the family almost always yields more.

What is severance (Abschichtung)?

The less formal exit of individual co-heirs against compensation, without the whole community having to be dissolved. It is often the calmest way to turn a share into money, and lies closer to the actual value than a sale to third parties.

Knowledge · Community of heirs & property

Selling your own inheritance share — what realistically remains?

You can sell your share in a community of heirs without the others’ consent. But what an outside buyer pays for it is almost always well below your arithmetical share. Often a solution within the family yields more.

As at: June 2026 · ← back to the guide

The answer first. Every co-heir may dispose of their inheritance share and sell it — the contract must be notarially recorded (sections 2033, 2371 BGB). What is sold is not the house, but your share in the whole community with all its rights and duties. That is precisely what makes the share hard for outsiders to price — and explains why commercial buyers demand a considerable discount. Before you sell to a third party, it almost always pays to look at the calmer paths.

Why the discount is so large

A share in a community of heirs is no comfortable deal for an outside buyer. They acquire not a clearly delimited piece of the house, but a say in a group they do not know — with all the uncertainty about value, debts, conflict and duration. They price that uncertainty in. So offers from commercial buyers typically lie well below the arithmetical value of your share, often only a fraction of it. What lies behind the often very friendly letters is explained under Understanding buyer letters.

On top of this: a sound valuation of your share is not trivial. It depends on the value of the property, but also on estate debts, any equalisation claims among the heirs and the question of how quickly the community can be dissolved at all. Whoever promises a fast, round sum here is leaving these questions out.

The co-heirs’ right of first refusal

Selling an inheritance share to a third party triggers a statutory right of first refusal for the remaining co-heirs (section 2034 BGB). For two months they can step into the contract on the same terms and so prevent a stranger from becoming part of the community. For you as the seller this means: the sale to a buyer is not final while this right is running — and for the family it is a protection against finding a stranger at the table. Often it is precisely this mechanism that leads to an agreement within the family, on better terms for everyone.

The calmer path: a buyout within the family

If you want to turn your share into money, selling to strangers is rarely the best path. It usually yields more to be bought out of the community — through a takeover by a co-heir or through severance (Abschichtung), the less formal exit of individual heirs against compensation. The basis is a neutral valuation everyone can trust; on it a fair settlement can be built that lies closer to your actual share than any buyer’s offer. Which paths lead out of the community and what they mean is set out under Buyout, takeover or sale. Our task is to order this conversation before anyone sells below value.

Co-heirs’ right of first refusal (Vorkaufsrecht der Miterben). If a co-heir sells their share to a third party, the remaining co-heirs may step in on the same terms for two months (section 2034 BGB) — keeping the community among itself.

This article provides orientation and does not replace legal or tax advice. The contract is recorded by a notary; the valuation and the agreement we prepare with you.

Your next step

Buyout, takeover or sale

The ways out of co-ownership, set calmly side by side.

Understanding buyer letters

What lies behind the friendly offer by mail.

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Can I sell my inheritance share without the others’ consent?: Yes. You may freely dispose of your own share; the contract must be notarially recorded (sections 2033, 2371 BGB). The remaining co-heirs, however, have a two-month right of first refusal.
How much is my inheritance share worth?: Arithmetically it equals your quota in the estate less its debts. But what an outside buyer pays usually lies well below that, because they price in uncertainty and the risk of conflict. A neutral valuation provides the sound basis here.
Why do commercial buyers pay so little?: Because they buy not a clearly delimited part of the house, but a say in a group of strangers — with all the uncertainty about value, debts and duration. You bear that discount. A buyout within the family almost always yields more.
What is severance (Abschichtung)?: The less formal exit of individual co-heirs against compensation, without the whole community having to be dissolved. It is often the calmest way to turn a share into money, and lies closer to the actual value than a sale to third parties.