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4 clusters · 14 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek inheritance law reforms

Overview

Greece is implementing significant inheritance law reforms under Law 5303/2026, effective September 16, 2026. Introduced by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the new legislative framework aims to modernize succession rules, enhance private autonomy, and accelerate legal procedures.

Key changes include the ability for individuals aged 16 and older to draft wills and the introduction of inheritance contracts—bilateral agreements made via notary—which allow for advanced succession planning. This differs from a will, which remains a unilateral act. The reforms also introduce contracts for the prior renunciation of inheritance rights and simplify public will procedures while imposing stricter controls on handwritten (holographic) wills.

To protect heirs, the legal portion of an estate will transition into a monetary claim, allowing heirs to request their share in cash rather than being forced into co-ownership of real estate. A major update involves debt protection: heirs are no longer automatically liable with their personal assets for the obligations of an estate. Creditors may primarily only pursue the value of the inherited assets, though this protection may be lost if an heir manages the estate freely or disposes of assets in violation of the new rules. The law also introduces judicial liquidation to manage estates and debts as a separate entity.

Regarding intestate succession, the reforms adjust the rights of spouses and registered civil partners. A spouse will receive one-third of an inheritance if there is one child, and one-fourth if there are multiple children. If no children are present, the spouse inherits the entire estate. The law also introduces restrictions on making wills in favor of staff at hospitals or elderly care facilities where the testator is receiving care.

Entities

Ministry of National Economy and Finance · Greece · Ministry of Justice · Giorgos Floridis

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Greece implements new inheritance laws and debt protections

    Greece implements Law 5303/2026 on September 16, 2026, introducing inheritance contracts, enhanced debt protection for heirs, and new succession planning tools.

  2. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greece to implement new notary procedure for wills in 2026

    Greece will implement a new procedure for declaring holographic wills via certified notaries starting September 16, 2026, following a decision by the Minister of Justice.

  3. 22 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Greece to implement major inheritance law reforms in 2026

    Greece will implement significant inheritance law reforms in September 2026, introducing inheritance contracts, updating succession rights for partners, and simplifying will procedures.

  4. 29 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Greece to implement new inheritance law reforms in September 2026

    Greece will implement new inheritance laws in September 2026, reforming wills, increasing rights for spouses and partners, and providing better protection against inheritance debts.

Sources

alfavita.gr · cnn.gr · fonimaleviziou.gr · kriti360.gr · lawnet.gr · lykavitos.gr · madata.gr · neaptolemaidas.gr · powergame.gr · sofokleousin.gr · thenewspaper.gr · thrakikiagora.gr · tromaktiko.gr · zarpanews.gr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history