Constantinos
Lawyer · Nicosia, Cyprus
- 249 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 13+ years in practice
- Speaks: Russian, English
- Law, Democritus University of Thrace
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5.00(7 reviews)
Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Cyprus
Lawyers who draft a last will and testament for property and money in Cyprus, explain the shares Cypriot law reserves for close family and how a foreign national can choose the law of his or her own country, and check that a Cypriot will and a will made at home fit together.
About Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Cyprus
Making a will in Cyprus is a question most British and other foreign owners ask once they have a house, a bank account or a company on the island. This page is about the last will and testament for assets in Cyprus — a Cypriot will (in Greek διαθήκη), a will for foreigners and expats, and the estate planning around it: forced heirship, the choice of law and whether a will made at home is enough. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Make a last Will & Testament”.
What makes Cyprus different
Cyprus is a common-law country, and a will there looks familiar to an English reader: a written document, signed by the testator before witnesses and usually prepared by a lawyer, without a notary. The difference lies in what the will may say. Cypriot law reserves part of an estate for a surviving spouse and children, and sometimes parents (forced heirship), so the testator is free to leave only the rest. Under the EU succession rules a foreign national can choose, in the will, the law of his or her nationality to govern the estate, and a British citizen can choose English law in this way. Whether that choice also frees land in Cyprus from the reserved shares is a point on which lawyers differ, which is why the wording matters.
Who usually needs a will in Cyprus
- Residents who own a home or keep savings on the island.
- Owners of a holiday home who live elsewhere.
- Couples, especially when one partner is Cypriot or there are children from earlier relationships.
- Owners of a Cypriot company or of shares in one.
Points to watch
Two wills — one at home, one in Cyprus — work well only when they are drafted with each other in mind: a standard clause in a new will at home revoking all earlier wills can cancel the Cypriot one by accident. Cyprus has no inheritance tax, but the home country may still tax assets in Cyprus. Without a will, the estate follows the Cypriot rules of intestacy and the court appoints an administrator (see inheritance).
What a lawyer does
A Cypriot lawyer takes instructions in English, explains how the reserved shares affect the family, drafts the will with or without a choice of law, arranges the signing before witnesses, keeps the original safe and can be named as executor. Where the will must sit beside one made abroad, the lawyer works with the client's lawyer at home. A power of attorney for illness or absence is often prepared at the same time.
Questions and answers
Is a UK will valid in Cyprus?
A will made in the UK can be accepted for assets in Cyprus if it meets the formal rules, but proving it there is slower, and it may not deal with forced heirship or the choice of law. Many owners keep a separate Cypriot will for their Cypriot assets.
What is forced heirship in Cyprus?
A rule that reserves a share of the estate for the closest family. Its size depends on whether the testator leaves a spouse, children or parents.
Can a British owner choose English law?
A British citizen can choose the law of his or her nationality in the will. Whether that choice covers land in Cyprus is debated, so a lawyer words it for the owner's own situation.
Does a will need a notary in Cyprus?
No. It is signed by the testator in front of witnesses; a lawyer usually prepares it and keeps the original.
Can a will be challenged later?
Yes, on limited grounds — see contest a will.
1 lawyer who provides Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Cyprus
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Talk to a lawyer about Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)
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What our clients say about our service in Cyprus
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In 2021 my wife and I moved from America to Spain, where we found out that Spanish law required each of us to have a will if one of us died, so the survivor could reach the cash in our Spanish bank accounts. In 2025 we contacted the lawyer to get this done. She speaks good English and carried out the task expertly and efficiently, even joining us at the notary's office to finalize the paperwork. We were so pleased that we also hired her for our Spanish taxes for 2025. They were done perfectly too, and we even received a refund. I would definitely recommend her for any need under Spanish law. The fees were very reasonable and well earned.
— Lucky17 Aug 2026Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
She was always very helpful, and I would recommend her.
— Jeffrey07 Jul 2026 -
Professional advice sorted out all my requests; I am very satisfied.
— Michael03 Jul 2026 -
The lawyer was exemplary. A matter concerning a will needed immediate attention during my stay in the country, and he handled the legal review, the notarial consultation and the procurement of witnesses fast, reliably and efficiently, with professional expertise. When you need legal advice in Portugal, he is the person to go to.
— Steve11 Jun 2026Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
The lawyer in Oviedo gave us great service, with a professional and friendly manner. His English is excellent, and he planned everything well, including the help with the notary. Thank you!
— Goe30 Jan 2026Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
The lawyer has helped my family for many years, always fantastic and consistent, with good communication throughout. She is very professional and knowledgeable, and always on hand to answer questions and offer good advice. I would recommend her; she is first class.
— Kate10 Dec 2025Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
What a service! The lawyer is by far the most professional, thorough and helpful lawyer or solicitor I have dealt with, and my international affairs mean I have worked with plenty. When we wanted our wills drawn up, we did not want them under Spanish law. He saw to it that they were prepared and secured under the laws of our home countries and yet fully valid here in Gran Canaria under Spanish law. My wife is 78 and needed to sell her apartment while keeping the right to live in it for the rest of her life (at least 30 years), at an agreed lower rent and with usufruct rights, so that she would get cash from the sale without losing her home. He sorted that out too. He arranged everything, the notary included, and provided us with English translations of the Spanish contract. I cannot stress enough that he was available at any time by phone, email or WhatsApp. He even went through everything with us at the notary's office, and whenever something was unclear or not in our favour, he had it redrafted again and again. His integrity, professionalism and commitment to his clients are the best I have ever met. If you need a lawyer in Gran Canaria who speaks excellent English and keeps cool under the heaviest pressure, he is the one to have beside you. Simply the best is what you get, as the song says. If you fear he will be expensive, there is no need: I paid more in the UK and Germany, among other countries where I needed legal representation. Both my British wife and I have hired him several times by now, and we will always keep returning to him, whatever else comes up. This review is long, I know, but I could say much more about his superb work. If you are not yet convinced, there is nothing more I can say. Until next time, to a legal-knowledge computer on two legs, and a wonderful one!
— Michael27 Jun 2025Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
She was very professional and knowledgeable about the law, and also kind and empathetic when we discussed my options on a very personal point. The assistance was excellent and I would recommend her without hesitation.
— Jennifer29 May 2025 -
The lawyer was personal and professional while writing and filing my Will. She is friendly, and she could advise me on the complexities of a Will in Portugal and on the legal requirements, which differ from those of Australia, where I am a national.
— Michael24 Mar 2025Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
Friendly, patient and easy to understand.
— Darren26 Feb 2025Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) -
The lawyer handled my request very well, and his English was perfect. I am completely satisfied.
— Carl18 Feb 2025 -
I needed a Will covering my Spanish assets and so returned to the lawyer who had already done an excellent job when we bought our property. She was just as professional this time: she listened to what I needed and then drafted a Will that fitted it. Within days it was all finished, an amazing job. I would gladly use these services again, and without any hesitation.
— Robert27 Jan 2025Make a Will (Last Will & Testament)