Greece implements major inheritance law reforms

Greece is implementing a major reform to its inheritance law, effective September 16, marking the first significant overhaul of the system in approximately 80 years. The legislation, introduced by the Ministry of Justice, aims to modernize legal succession and reduce long-term judicial disputes regarding property ownership.

A key change involves the concept of the 'legal share' (legitime). Instead of being forced into co-ownership of real estate or businesses, certain close relatives can now claim their minimum inheritance share as a monetary claim. This measure is intended to limit indivisible co-ownerships that often lead to litigation.

To increase transparency, a new digital platform is expected to be launched soon. This tool will aggregate information regarding a deceased person's debts, allowing heirs to assess the financial status of an estate before deciding whether to accept or renounce an inheritance.

The reform also introduces stricter security measures for handwritten wills. If a handwritten will is presented for publication more than two years after a person's death, its validity must be officially declared. Furthermore, wills drafted within hospitals or elderly care facilities are subject to new restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest, rendering them partially invalid if the beneficiaries are staff members or entities connected to the facility, with exceptions for close relatives.