Greece

Adoption of Law 5303/2026

Law 5303/2026 introduced rules applying to successions resulting from deaths occurring on or after September 16, 2026.

Overview of Key Changes

• Introduction of Inheritance Contracts: testators can now enter into binding life-time agreements to arrange succession or waive future inheritance rights.
• Limitation of Heir Liability: heirs are no longer personally liable with their own private assets for the deceased's debts; debt claims are restricted strictly to the estate’s assets.
• Forced Heirship as a Monetary Claim: the "forced share" for close relatives is transformed primarily into a financial claim against the estate's value rather than a direct claim to property titles.
• Rights for Unmarried Partners: surviving long-term partners (without a cohabitation agreement) gain specific succession rights if they cohabited for at least three years and no other legal heirs exist.
• Digital Transformation: the implementation of platforms like diathikes.gr accelerates the legal publication of wills.