Athens, October 2025
From November 1, 2025, publishing of wills in Greece will undergo a fundamental transformation. Court delays will be eliminated, notaries will assume new responsibilities, and a modernized inheritance law will introduce structural reforms after nearly eight decades.
End of Court Delays – Digital Publication of Wills
Publishing of wills in Greece will no longer take place in the Courts of First Instance. Instead, the responsibility will pass to notaries , and wills will be uploaded to a secure digital platform .
This change puts an end to long waiting periods — often exceeding one year — as the process will now be completed within just a few days.
New Inheritance Law – Key Changes
Alongside digitalization, major reforms are being introduced into Greek inheritance law:
- Holographic wills: They remain valid but will now include additional safeguards. If the heir is outside the immediate circle of succession, a handwriting expert report will be required.
- Spouse’s share: The surviving spouse’s inheritance share increases from 25% to 33.3%.
- Compulsory share: This is transformed from a real right into a personal claim, satisfied through monetary compensation rather than a direct portion of the estate.
- Inheritance contracts: Introduced, but limited strictly to agreements between the testator and their heirs (not with third parties).
- Cohabiting partners: The surviving partner in a registered partnership will have the right to remain in the shared residence for a certain period after the other partner’s death.
Pending Issues Under Discussion
Some matters remain under review and are expected to be finalized soon:
- Holographic wills and time limits: Legislators are considering setting a specific time limit from the testator’s death within which a holographic will may be presented for publication. This safeguard aims to prevent fraudulent wills from emerging many years later.
- Inheritance debts: It has not yet been decided whether the deceased’s debts will automatically merge with the heir’s personal assets. This issue is crucial in cases where the estate carries significant liabilities, to ensure heirs’ personal property is not unduly endangered.
Conclusion
From November 2025 onwards, publishing of wills in Greece will enter a digital, faster, and more secure era, while inheritance law will be modernized with clearer and fairer rules. These reforms promise to reduce delays, prevent abuses, and provide greater protection for both testators and heirs.