We are very sensitive to the need of Diaspora Greeks to claim their Greek inheritance. Our deep legal experience in thousands of similar cases, has led us to be legal experts in clearing up Greek inheritances, even long neglected matters and/or matters contested by third parties.

The lawyers in Greece can assist in Greek inheritance issues by tracing the property title anywhere in Greece; they investigate the legal and actual status; and provide a full legal analysis report including photographs, usually within one – two weeks, as of the time that the client has provided the necessary information.

Specifically:

After the passing of a person, the crucial issue is who will be entitled to the Greek inheritance that the deceased has left, that is who will be called as his legal heir, according to the Greek Inheritance Law as this is determined by the relevant provisions of the Greek Civil Code.

Greek Inheritance Law provides the bequest of the deceased’s property to his legal heirs in two ways: by virtue of a will or in intestacy.

In case that the deceased has left a Greek will, the bequest of the inherited property, i.e. the transfer of the property under the names of his heirs, appointed by the deceased, and to what property parts they are entitled to, is arranged according to the provisions of the Greek will.

There are various types of Greek Wills (holographic, public, etc).

After the passing of the testator, the Greek Will needs to be probated by the competent Authority.

In case that the deceased has not left a Greek Will, or in case that the Will has been nullified totally or partially, or in case that the Will settles only a part of the deceased’s Greek inheritance, the succession is settled by law (intestacy rules).

The relevant provisions of Greek Inheritance Law, determine the relatives of the deceased who will be called as his heirs. Succession in intestacy is based on the kinship with the deceased. Thus, the law has enlisted the relatives and therefore the legal heirs of the deceased in categories (“classes”). Relatives of previous classes exclude relatives of “next of kin” classes”. 

In case that the Greek Inheritance consists of real estate property, the Acceptance of Inheritance is accomplished through the execution of an Acceptance of Inheritance Deed before a Notary Public, which has to be registered before the competent Greek Land Registry (Ypothikofilakeion) of the property’s location and in some cases maybe the Greek Land Registry Cadastral (Ktimatologio) as well.

The heirs, (in intestacy or by virtue of a Will), must file an inheritance tax statement within 6 months, if Greece domiciled, or within 12 months, if they live abroad. The time limit for the submission of the tax statement in principle begins as of the passing; and/or the Greek will’s probate date.

The inheritance tax obligation is subject to an assessment of the Estate’s tax value in consideration of consanguinity levels to the deceased and applicable tax exemptions.

The procedure of the Probate and the Acceptance of a Greek Inheritance, may be accomplished through a Limited Power of Attorney to a specialised Greek Lawyer.

December 2025