The Inheritance Law is part of the Greek Civil Code (5th Book, Articles 1710–2035). It governs the succession of a person’s estate upon death, including both total and partial inheritance and the rights of eligible heirs.
Key Principles
- Applies to all assets in Greece (real estate, bank accounts, etc.).
- Two main succession pathways:
- Intestate Succession: When no will exists (default heirs).
- Testate Succession: When a valid will is present (can include non‑relatives).
- Protected Heirs (Legal Shareholders):
✓ Spouse
✓ Descendants (children, grandchildren)
✓ Parents (if no descendants)
Critical Deadlines & Procedures
Within 4 Months of Death:
- Accept or Renounce Inheritance
- Acceptance: Inherits both assets and debts.
- Benefit of Inventory: Limits liabilities to inherited assets (highly recommended).
- Renunciation: Formal declaration at court.
- Tax Declaration:
- Inheritance tax return due 4 months after death (0–40% rate depending on relationship and value).
- Will Publication:
- Must be submitted to the court of the deceased’s last residence.
Inheritance Tax in Greece (2025 Rates)
|
Relationship |
Tax Rate |
Exemptions |
|
Spouse/Children |
0–10% |
Primary residence up to €300,000 |
|
Siblings |
20% |
— |
|
Non‑Relatives |
40% |
— |
FAQ
Our Services
Judicial & Extrajudicial
- ✓ Will Drafting: Ensure validity under Greek law (notarization required).
- ✓ Inheritance Disputes: Contest wills, protect legal shares (Art. 1825 AK).
- ✓ Debt Management: Accept inheritance with inventory to limit liability.
- ✓ Tax Optimization: Reduce inheritance taxes via legal exemptions (e.g., primary residence).
Specialized Cases We Handle
- Will Revocation (prove undue influence or incapacity).
- Recovery of assets transferred before death to bypass heirs.
- Cross‑border inheritance: Conflict resolution between Greek and foreign laws.
Case Study: “British heir recovered €250,000 in Greek property after challenging an invalid will.”
Why Choose Our Firm?
✓ 15+ Years of Expertise in complex inheritance cases
✓ Bilingual Support (Greek/English) for international clients
✓ Expedited Processes: Will review within 48 hours, tax filing within 30 days
