Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled · 4 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
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4.95(12 reviews)
Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Greece
Making a will in Greece decides who receives the Greek assets within the forced share the law reserves for close relatives, in one of three forms: handwritten, before a notary or secret. English-speaking lawyers draft the διαθήκη, handle the choice of law under EU rules and coordinate it with a will from home.
About Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Greece
Making a will in Greece (also last will and testament, Greek will, will for property in Greece, will for foreigners; in Greek διαθήκη, diathiki) is how a foreign resident or property owner decides who receives their Greek assets after death. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Make a last Will & Testament”. Greek law offers three ordinary forms: the handwritten will (ιδιόγραφη διαθήκη), the public will made before a notary (δημόσια διαθήκη, with the συμβολαιογράφος) and the secret will (μυστική διαθήκη) handed to the notary sealed. Whatever the form, it operates within the forced share (νόμιμη μοίρα) reserved for the spouse, children and parents, unless EU rules allow a different law to govern.
Who it is for
Expats living in Greece, owners of a holiday home or land, members of the Greek diaspora with inherited property, couples with children from earlier relationships, unmarried partners, and anyone with assets in two countries who wants the two estates settled without contradiction.
How it works in Greece
A handwritten will is valid on its own if it is entirely in the testator's hand, dated and signed, with no notary; it is simple, and also the form most often attacked after death. The public will is dictated to a notary before witnesses who understand Greek; a testator who does not speak Greek signs with an interpreter, and a bilingual draft keeps the content under control. The secret will is written privately and deposited sealed. After death every will is published by the court, with a consular route for documents held abroad; a central register of wills is being introduced and the rules on how wills are kept and published have been changing, which a lawyer takes into account. For a foreigner the EU succession regulation adds the question of which law applies: by default the law of the last habitual residence, which for a resident of Greece means Greek law with its forced share, unless the will expressly chooses the law of the testator's nationality. How that choice works for Greek real estate is confirmed for each case.
What to watch for
- A new will may revoke an earlier one made at home; two wills for two countries are worded so that neither cancels the other.
- Greek families often transfer property to children during life (γονική παροχή) instead of by will; for a foreigner the tax effect of each route is compared first.
- Tax is a separate matter: Greece taxes inheritances, with scales that depend on the relationship, so the will and the tax picture are planned together.
- A will does not cover incapacity during life; that needs a power of attorney.
What a lawyer does
An English-speaking lawyer maps the family and the assets in each country, advises on the form and the choice of law, drafts the Greek will in both languages, attends the notary and coordinates it with the home-country will. Related pages: inheritance, contesting a will, power of attorney, property purchase, since many owners make the will right after buying; see also probate law in Greece.
Questions and answers
Is an English will valid in Greece?
In general yes, if it was validly made where it was signed, but using it in Greece needs translation, an apostille and publication through the Greek court; a separate Greek will is usually simpler for the heirs.
Can I write my will by hand in English?
Greek law does not require a handwritten will to be in Greek; after death it is translated for publication, and the heirs still face the forced-share rules unless a foreign law validly applies.
Can a foreigner avoid the Greek forced share?
Only through a valid choice of the law of their nationality in the will, where that law allows free disposition; a lawyer checks that the choice is effective for the assets concerned.
What happens without a will?
Greek intestacy rules, or those of the applicable foreign law, fix the heirs in a set order; see inheritance.
Greece Inheritance Tax for Foreigners
Open the full tool →Estimate the inheritance tax you pay on property in Greece — by your relationship to the deceased and the value of your share.
How it works
Using the calculator
- Choose how you were related to the deceased.
- Enter the value of your share of what is in Greece — a property at its objective (tax) value, money in Greek banks, other assets in Greece.
- Tick whether you will pay at once; otherwise the tax is paid in 12 instalments.
The result shows the tax-free part, the tax on each band and the total.
What Greece taxes
Greek inheritance tax is paid by each heir on their own share. Property in Greece is always taxed, whoever the deceased and the heir are. Property abroad is taxed only when the deceased was a Greek national or lived in Greece — so a foreigner who lived abroad leaves only the Greek home, bank accounts and other Greek assets to Greek tax.
Rates by relationship
Category A — spouse, civil partner of at least 2 years, children, grandchildren and parents — inherits the first €150,000 tax-free, then pays 1% up to €300,000, 5% up to €600,000 and 10% above. A spouse married at least 5 years and children under 18 receive €400,000 tax-free each. Category B — siblings, nephews and nieces, grandparents, in-laws and step-relations — has €30,000 tax-free and rates of 5%, 10% and 20%. Category C — everyone else, including an unmarried partner — has €6,000 tax-free and rates of 20%, 30% and 40%.
Deadlines and paying
The declaration is due within 9 months of the death, or 1 year when the death happened abroad or the heir lived abroad. The tax can be paid in 12 instalments every two months, or at once with a 5% discount. To sell or register the property you also need a Greek tax number (AFM) and a notarial deed of acceptance. A lawyer in Greece prepares the declaration and the deed and checks the exemptions that apply to you.
1Your details
Property at its objective (tax) value, money in Greek banks, other assets in Greece
2Your result
| Tax-free in category A | €150,000 |
| 1% on €150,000 | €1,500 |
| 5% on €100,000 | €5,000 |
| Inheritance tax | €6,500 |
- Greece taxes property in Greece whoever inherits it; property abroad only when the deceased was Greek or lived in Greece.
- Property counts at its objective (tax) value, not the market price.
- File within 9 months of the death — 1 year when the death happened abroad or you lived abroad. Pay in 12 instalments every two months (at least €500 each) or at once with 5% off.
- A first home inherited from a spouse or parent can be exempt up to €200,000–250,000 (more with children) — only for Greek and EU/EEA citizens with no home of their own.
- You need a Greek tax number (AFM) and a notarial deed of acceptance before you can sell or register the property.
An estimate for planning, not legal or tax advice. Figures checked 26 Oct 2026. Sources: Law 2961/2001 art. 29 — categories and rates (taxheaven), Art. 25 — the €400,000 exemption, Art. 3 — what is taxed, Art. 62 — the deadline, Art. 82 — instalments.
Ask a lawyer about your case5 lawyers who provide Make a Will (Last Will & Testament) in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
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4.96(35 reviews)
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Fotis
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
- 11 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 6+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- MSc in law and informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
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Joanna
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 345 cases handled
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek, Italian, Spanish
- Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Universidad de Salamanca Spain- International Hellenic University- University of Cologne, Germany
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4.86(40 reviews)
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Konstantinos
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 28 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Degree in Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
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5.00(1 review)
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What our clients say about our service in Greece
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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)