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5 clusters · 16 sources · 36 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Greece legal reforms 2026

Overview

In July 2026, the Greek government announced a reform of inheritance law scheduled to take effect in September 2026. This reform introduces inheritance contracts, allowing individuals to organize the distribution of estates or businesses during their lifetime to provide stability for family businesses and reduce legal disputes. The new laws also address heir liability regarding inheritance debts and provide mechanisms for handling joint ownership of real estate or businesses, including options for heirs to renounce inheritance rights in advance. In August 2026, officials further detailed an overhaul of seizure procedures intended to take effect in September. This includes the repeal of Article 989 of the Civil Procedure Code, which will change how third-party declarations—such as those from banks or landlords—acquire enforceable status. The reform aims to clarify which authorities can issue execution orders, thereby speeding up debt collection and reducing bureaucracy for creditors and courts. Existing cases filed before the law takes effect will continue under the previous rules. Additional details released by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance clarify that the inheritance reforms will also modify will-making procedures. Public wills will follow a simplified process, while secret wills will require two witnesses. Individuals aged 16 and older may draft wills, and special procedures will be available for those with severe speech disabilities. To prevent undue influence, the law prohibits making wills in favor of staff at care facilities where the testator is a patient. Regarding intestate succession, the surviving spouse’s share will increase to one-third if there is one child, or remain at one-fourth if there are multiple children. If no children exist, the spouse inherits the entire estate before other relatives. These rights extend to registered civil partners and unmarried partners in long-term relationships.

Entities

Greek government · Greek courts · Ministry of National Economy and Finance · Civil Procedure Code · D.E.Y.A. Alexandroupoli

Timeline

2 days ago

[BUSINESS] 3 sources
Greece to protect primary residences in out-of-court settlements
Starting September 2026, Greece's out-of-court settlement mechanism will allow debtors to protect their primary residence by auctioning secondary properties to satisfy creditors.
4 days ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Greece to implement major inheritance and succession law reforms
Greece is introducing major inheritance law reforms in September 2026, updating rules for wills, spouse rights, and debt protection, alongside stricter local utility debt collection measures.
8 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Greece introduces new inheritance laws for businesses and assets
New Greek inheritance laws introduce inheritance contracts to stabilize family businesses and clarify asset distribution, debt liability, and joint ownership management.
14 days ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Greece to Reform Seizure Procedures, Dropping Civil Code Article 989
Greece will repeal Article 989 of its Civil Procedure Code in September 2026, simplifying seizure procedures and speeding up debt collection while leaving existing cases unchanged.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Greek Inheritance Law Reform Begins September 2026
Greece's new inheritance law, effective Sep 2026, eases will making, expands spousal and partner rights, safeguards heirs from debt, and changes succession order.

Sources

alfavita.gr · best-tv.gr · cnn.gr · dealnews.gr · dikaiologitika.gr · emvolos.gr · gargalianoionline.gr · ipaideia.gr · irafina.gr · kefaloniamagazine.gr · larissanet.gr · larissapress.gr · neaptolemaidas.gr · pierianews.gr · sofokleousin.gr · thestival.gr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history