Greece’s New Inheritance Law: Three Points in the Fine Print

Greece’s new inheritance law brought significant changes. We read the fine print.

Law 5303/2026 (Government Gazette A’ 81, 22 May 2026) replaces the entire Fifth Book of the Civil Code. It applies to the estates of persons who die on or after 16 September 2026. The main change is well known: as a rule, an heir is no longer liable with personal assets for the debts of the estate. Three points, however, did not make the headlines.

First, the protection comes with a condition. While protected from the debts, the heir cannot freely dispose of estate assets, real estate included. To sell, the heir files a declaration with the court and from then on is also liable with personal assets. Without the declaration, a sale is possible only with court permission, for a serious reason concerning the life or health of the heir or the heir’s spouse, parents or children (Articles 1892 and 1895 of the Civil Code). Anyone buying from an heir has reason to ask which route the seller took.

Second, the forced share changes form. This is the portion the law guarantees to the closest relatives, such as children and the surviving spouse. Previously the beneficiary became a co-heir of the property. Now the beneficiary has, as a rule, a monetary claim equal to half of the intestate share (Article 1820 of the Civil Code). The property stays whole, but whoever keeps it owes money. The beneficiary can secure the claim with a mortgage on estate real estate (Article 8 of the law). A check worth making before any purchase.

Third, one date: 22 November 2026. It concerns heirs of persons who died on or before 22 May 2026 and who did not declare in time that they accept with the benefit of inventory. They can still ask the court for an inventory of the estate, so that their liability is limited to its value. The condition: no act of enforcement has yet been carried out against their personal assets, and they have not lost the benefit for another reason (Article 33(8) of the law).

Our read: less personal risk, more process. Delfi Properties works with owners, heirs and buyers on the property side of these decisions, alongside their legal advisers.

What’s your read?

General information, not legal advice. Please consult a lawyer about your own case.