The Free State of Saxony made 1,262 inheritances last year. This always happens when a person resident in Saxony dies who had no relatives or no partner, or when they turn down the inheritance. But what ends up in the possession of the Free State in this way? And is it worthwhile for the state to be an heir?
What did Saxony receive from inheritances in 2025?
Last year, almost 7.9 million euros flowed into the state through so-called fiscal inheritances. According to the Free State's Central Land Management (ZFM), this was slightly less than the previous year with just under 8.7 million euros.
However, processing these inheritances is expensive. Together with personnel and material costs, Saxony had to spend almost 5 million euros on this. 22 employees handle the cases in the Fiscal Inheritances department.
And even the difference cannot be booked as a profit by the Free State, according to the ZFM. This is because inheritances are often accompanied by obligations - for example for the maintenance or public safety of properties. The bottom line is that the state, as the heir, is therefore happy if it ends up with a "black zero".
