A comprehensive reform of inheritance law is set to take place in Greece – pending Parliament ratification – for the first time in 80 years, an initiative designed to modernize outdated bylaws, prevent the decay and abandonment of inherited property and ease long-standing legal complications amongst heirs, individuals and legal entities.
The revised framework, composed by a committee chaired by distinguished law professor Apostolos Georgiades and under the justice ministry’s auspices, is set to debut for public consultation in early November.
Introducing Inheritance Contracts
The most significant change is the introduction of inheritance contracts, which will be introduced in Greece. Until now, individuals could transfer assets only through a will or a parental gift.
Under the new provisions, a person will be able to enter into a contract with heirs (offspring, spouse, other relatives) while still living, with the goal of deciding how property and assets will be divided. This arrangement will override the concept of “forced share” (nomimi moira), the portion of an estate that the law previously guaranteed to close relatives.
For example, parents may now agree that one child inherits a family business while another receives real estate or cash. Such agreements may also allow an heir to waive part of their inheritance in exchange for money or other assets. These contracts can be revoked under exceptional circumstances, much like donations.
Ending the ‘Adelfomiria’ Problem
Another major reform targets another chronic issue often bedeviling Greece’s inheritance law — the so-called adelfomiria, or fractional co-ownership of inherited property. Until now, multiple heirs – most often relatives – became co-owners of the same asset, leading to disputes and leaving thousands of properties unused and decaying. This phenomenon is quite common in Greece today.
The new law will allow one heir to receive the property outright, while others will be compensated in cash or with other assets. The aim is to end co-ownership deadlocks and prevent properties from being divided into unmanageable fragments.
Spouses and Partners Gain New Rights
The proposed inheritance law also updates the balance between spouses and children. The surviving spouse’s share will rise from 25% to 33%, reducing the children’s portion accordingly.
For unmarried partners who lived together without marriage or a civil partnership, new provisions grant the right to remain in the shared home for at least three years after a partner’s death. In cases where there are no children or other relatives, the surviving partner may even become the sole heir, instead of the estate defaulting to the state — a common occurrence that has left many properties across Greece abandoned.
Flexibility for Property Owners
Property owners will also gain more flexibility. The reforms allow someone to sell their home or holiday property while retaining the right to live in it for life, either rent-free or under a rental agreement. This provision recognizes the growing need for liquidity among elderly homeowners while maintaining their housing stability.
Stricter Controls on Handwritten Wills
While handwritten wills remain valid, stricter verification rules will apply to prevent forgeries — a persistent problem in Greece. When such a will is discovered after a person’s death, it will now require authentication through witnesses or expert analysis before being accepted. This process will be handled by a notary, not the courts, unless the heirs are direct descendants or the spouse.
Heirs Protected from Inherited Debt
A key practical reform addresses the surge in inheritance refusals due to debt. Under the new law, heirs will no longer be personally liable for the deceased’s debts beyond the value of the inherited estate. Creditors will be paid only from the estate’s assets, through a simplified judicial liquidation process. This change is expected to reduce the wave of inheritance rejections that has overwhelmed Greek notaries in recent years.
Aiming for Fairer and More Practical Inheritance under the proposed inheritance law
The Justice Ministry’s draft also introduces measures for those who care for the elderly to be eligible for inheritance rights and allows parents to distribute assets among children based on fairness and practicality, not just formal equality.
With thousands of properties across Greece lying idle and families often trapped in complex inheritance disputes, the overhaul of succession law marks a profound shift toward a more flexible, realistic, and socially balanced system.
Public consultation on the bill is expected to begin in early November.