Greece is entering a new era of property and inheritance regulation. For the first time in over 80 years, the government is preparing a comprehensive reform of the Inheritance Law, designed to simplify procedures, ensure fairness, and modernise how estates are managed.
The Reform Process
The reform, prepared by a high-level legal committee led by Law Professor Apostolos Georgiadis, will update almost every article of the law. It has already published in the Government Gazette on May 22,2026, as Law 5303/2026 and will come into effect on September 16, 2026. This new framework is designed to protect both the wishes of the deceased and the rights of the heirs, while introducing digital tools to streamline the process and reduce bureaucracy. As part of this reform, a new platform has already been introduced. The new diathikes.gr platform will dramatically speed up the time needed to publish a will, reducing it to just 3–7 days, whereas until now, this could even take over a year. This digital platform for publishing wills has been operational since November 1, 2025. For property owners, this means faster access to legal clarity, reduced court involvement, and fewer administrative delays when transferring real estate titles.
Key Changes Property Owners Should Know
Inheritance Contracts: A Brand-New Tool
For the first time in Greek law, individuals will be able to create inheritance contracts, which are legal agreements made while still alive that clearly define how property will be divided among heirs.
These contracts will be binding and notarised, ensuring that all parties agree to them in advance.
They can even be governed by foreign law, making them especially relevant for international property owners with assets in Greece.
Multiple people can sign a single inheritance contract, unlike wills, which are strictly personal.
This mechanism will help reduce future disputes and enable families with real estate assets to avoid lengthy, costly court battles.
No Personal Liability for Inherited Debt
One of the most significant changes concerns inheritance debts. Under the current system, heirs may become personally responsible for the deceased’s debts, sometimes forcing them to reject inheritances altogether. The new law changes that completely. More specifically, under the new law, heirs will no longer be personally liable for the debts of an estate unless they explicitly choose to be. This means that banks and creditors will only be able to claim money from the estate itself, not from the heir’s personal assets. For property heirs, this creates a much safer financial environment; inheriting real estate will no longer come with the fear of unexpected liabilities.
One thing to note: Heirs that do not wish to accept an inheritance have four months from the time they learn it has passed to them, to renounce it. For those living abroad, this deadline is one year. If there is a will or an inheritance contract, the period starts from the date of publication.
Recognition of Long-Term Partners
In another major shift, the new law recognises unmarried partners as potential heirs under certain conditions. For instance, if two people have lived together for at least three years, or have children together, the surviving partner may inherit the deceased’s estate (if no closer relatives exist). Additionally, partners gain the right to remain in the primary residence for one year after the owner’s death, free of charge. In some cases, courts may even transfer ownership of the property to the surviving partner. This change brings Greek inheritance law closer to European standards, providing legal protection for modern family structures.
Handwritten Wills Stay — But With Safeguards
Traditional handwritten wills (also known as idiographic wills) will continue to be accepted. However, to combat fraud and forgery, the law introduces stricter verification, including mandatory handwriting analysis when the person presenting the will is not a close family member. The new rules also introduce protection for those receiving care. A handwritten will made by someone while they are in a hospital or an elderly care facility, either during their care or within three months after their death, will be invalid if it names as heirs individuals connected to their care provider. An exception is made if the heir is a relative who would inherit under the laws of intestate succession.
Compensation for Unpaid Care
With the new law, people who provided unpaid care for at least six months during the last three years of the deceased’s life can now receive compensation, in monetary form or as an asset, proportionate to the care they offered.
The Reserved Portion Can Now Be Paid in Cash
Under Greek Law, the reserved portion (νόμιμη μοίρα), also known as forced heirship, is the part of an inheritance that the law protects for close family members, such as children and the surviving spouse, even if the deceased has left a will. The reserved portion is generally half of the share the heir would have received under intestate succession.
The new framework keeps this percentage but introduces an important change: the reserved portion can now be given in cash rather than as a share of the inheritance. This is particularly important for real estate owners, as the previous system could lead to several heirs becoming co-owners of a property, making its management, use, and sale much more complicated. This change can help ensure properties stay intact, while still protecting the inheritance rights of the deceased’s children and spouse.
The Position of the Surviving Spouse
The surviving spouse also gains a more clearly defined position under this new framework through intestate succession. More specifically, they are entitled to 1/3 of the property when inheriting alongside one child and 1/4 when inheriting alongside two or more children. When inheriting alongside relatives of the second class (the deceased's parents and siblings), the spouse's share remains at 1/2, and in the absence of any other relatives, the spouse inherits the entire estate. They are also entitled to household items, such as furniture or personal belongings, used either by them alone or along with the deceased.
A Second Chance for Missed Deadlines
The new reform also introduces a second-chance measure for those who missed the deadlines to protect themselves from inherited debts. With the benefit of inventory, an heir is liable for the deceased’s debts only up to the value of what they inherit. Anyone who inherited from a person who died on or before May 22, 2026, but did not complete the inventory procedure within the applicable deadline, will have until November 22, 2026, to ask the court to appoint an administrator and experts to carry out the procedure.
This measure is particularly helpful for heirs who were unaware of the relevant deadlines or who received an inheritance with substantial debts.
An Overhaul That Marks a More Flexible and Balanced System
The new inheritance law will simplify legal procedures, protect the true will of property owners, and minimise risks for heirs. With digital tools, debt protection, and clearer inheritance rights, Greece is aligning its property laws with modern European standards. As the new law takes effect in September 2026, property owners and buyers alike are encouraged to consult with legal experts and prepare for a more transparent, efficient, and fair system governing inheritance and property ownership in Greece.
Through this form, you can book a consultation session with us: https://elxis.com/greek-inheritance-legal-services/.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute legal or tax advice. For any issues relating to specific cases, it is highly recommended to consult a lawyer, an accountant or a notary, depending on your needs.
