Greece’s New Inheritance Law: What Property Owners and Buyers Need to Know
05.11.2025
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.
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 is expected to be submitted to the Greek Parliament in early 2026 and come into effect on September 16, 2026. The final text of the reformed inheritance law is currently undergoing review for any editorial or legal errors. This process is expected to be completed in early November, with a scheduled delivery date to the Minister of Justice on November 12.
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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
An Overhaul Which 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 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.
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.
Through this form, you can book a consultation session with us: https://elxis.com/greek-inheritance-legal-services/.
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