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What Greece’s biggest inheritance reform in decades means for the diaspora

by John Tripidakis

For many Greek Australians, family ties to Greece extend far beyond culture and heritage. They include family homes, inherited property, businesses and assets accumulated across generations.

That is why the most significant reform of Greek inheritance law in decades is attracting considerable attention among the diaspora.

Published on 22 May 2026, the new legislation modernises key areas of succession law and introduces a range of changes that will affect how inheritances are structured, administered and transferred. While many of the reforms are aimed at providing greater flexibility and legal certainty, they also create new considerations for those with assets and family interests spanning both Greece and Australia.

According to John Tripidakis, Principal of John Tripidakis & Associates, the reforms reflect the realities of modern family life and the increasingly international nature of estate planning.

“The reforms were introduced to address changing family structures, increasing international mobility and the growing complexity of estate planning,” Tripidakis explains.

“The Government’s objective is to provide greater flexibility in succession planning, enhance legal certainty, reduce inheritance disputes and create a more efficient framework that better serves contemporary families, including those with cross-border connections.”

What has changed?

The reforms introduce a number of significant changes, including inheritance agreements, expanded rights for long-term partners, greater involvement of notaries in succession procedures, changes to inheritance renunciation agreements, stronger protections against inherited debts and reforms to Greece’s forced-share regime, known as the nomimi moira.

For Greeks living abroad, however, Tripidakis believes the most important changes relate to wills, cross-border estate planning and the administration of international estates.

“These reforms provide greater flexibility, legal certainty and protection when managing assets and family affairs across different jurisdictions,” he says.

Key dates to know

Although the legislation was published on 22 May 2026, most substantive inheritance-law reforms will apply to estates where the deceased passes away on or after 16 September 2026.

Importantly, several transitional provisions apply.

Key dates at a glance:

22 May 2026: New inheritance law published.
16 September 2026: Most substantive inheritance-law reforms commence.
Before 16 September 2026: Existing wills, revocations and certain inheritance arrangements generally continue to be assessed under the previous legal framework.

Existing wills made before 16 September 2026 generally remain subject to the previous law regarding formal validity and testamentary capacity. Importantly, while most reforms apply from 16 September 2026, certain issues concerning the validity of existing wills continue to be assessed under the previous law.

Inheritance renunciation agreements concluded before the reforms also continue to be governed by the earlier framework.

At the same time, inheritance partition proceedings undertaken after 16 September 2026 may fall under the new rules, even where the death occurred earlier, depending on the stage of the legal process.

“These transitional arrangements are important and should not be overlooked,” Tripidakis says. “The legal position can differ depending on the circumstances of each estate.”

Why Greek Australians should pay attention

Tripidakis says the reforms are highly relevant to Greek Australians who own property in Greece, expect to inherit assets, or maintain family and financial ties to their ancestral homeland.

“The reforms are likely to affect a significant number of Greek Australians with property, inheritance rights, family connections or financial interests in Greece,” he says.

“Individuals in these circumstances should consider undertaking a comprehensive review of their estate-planning and succession arrangements to ensure compliance with the new legal framework and to safeguard their intended inheritance outcomes.”

What about existing wills?

One of the most common questions among diaspora families is whether existing wills remain valid.

“In most cases, existing wills will remain valid,” Tripidakis says.

“However, in light of the reforms, a review of existing wills is advisable to ensure they remain consistent with the testator’s intentions and continue to operate effectively within the revised legal framework.”

This is particularly important where families own assets in multiple countries or have complex family structures.

The biggest change: Reform of the forced-share system

Among the most significant reforms is the restructuring of the nomimi moira, or forced-share regime.

Historically, Greek inheritance law placed strict limits on a person’s ability to freely distribute assets, often resulting in multiple heirs becoming co-owners of family homes, businesses and other property.

Under the new framework, close relatives who are entitled to a forced share will generally receive a monetary claim equal to half of what they would have inherited under intestacy rules, rather than an automatic share in specific estate assets.

In practical terms, this could dramatically reduce disputes over family property.

“For example, a parent may now leave a family home or business to one child without requiring its division among all heirs, provided the other forced-share beneficiaries receive the value to which they are entitled,” Tripidakis explains.

The reform is expected to reduce family conflict, simplify estate administration and allow succession plans to better reflect individual family circumstances.

Multiple heirs and family property

For Greek Australians with family property in Greece, the changes may prove particularly significant.

Traditionally, inherited property often became fragmented among multiple heirs, creating practical difficulties for future generations.

Tripidakis says the new framework is designed to minimise these problems.

“Instead of several family members automatically becoming joint owners of the same property, one heir may retain the asset while compensating the others financially.,” he says.

“In practice, this should make the division of estates more efficient, reduce conflicts and allow for clearer succession arrangements.”

Managing assets across Greece and Australia

Cross-border estates remain one of the most complex areas of inheritance law.

Many Greek Australians hold assets in both countries, raising questions about which legal system applies.

Tripidakis notes that while an Australian will may be recognised in Greece, Greek law may still apply to assets located within Greece, particularly in relation to mandatory inheritance rights.

“The reforms provide greater flexibility and certainty, but coordinated estate planning in both jurisdictions remains essential,” he says.

“Assuming that an Australian will alone is sufficient to govern worldwide assets can create conflicts and unintended outcomes.”

Greater protection from inherited debts

Another major change involves stronger safeguards for heirs where an estate contains debts. Under the new framework, heirs receive greater protection from personal liability.

“The system places greater emphasis on separating the deceased’s liabilities from the heir’s personal assets,” Tripidakis says.

“This reduces the risk that heirs will be required to satisfy estate debts from their own property.”

The change is designed to make inheritance outcomes more predictable and less risky, particularly where the financial position of the deceased is uncertain.

Common mistakes diaspora families make

According to Tripidakis, many inheritance problems arise long before an estate is administered.

Among the most common mistakes are failing to coordinate wills across jurisdictions, misunderstanding how Greek inheritance rules apply to Greek-based assets and delaying planning until a death or dispute occurs.

Families also frequently overlook the importance of keeping ownership records, succession documentation and property structures up to date.

“Early, coordinated cross-border planning is essential to avoid legal uncertainty and family disputes,” he says.

What should readers do now?

For those unsure whether the reforms affect them, Tripidakis recommends acting sooner rather than later.

The first step is reviewing existing wills, succession plans and ownership structures in both Greece and Australia.

A specialist in Greek inheritance law can then assess family circumstances, existing testamentary documents, property holdings and succession arrangements to identify potential risks or inconsistencies.

Tripidakis says many of his diaspora clients seek assistance reviewing existing wills, assessing inheritance rights, coordinating Greek and Australian estate-planning documents, managing inheritances involving Greek property and ensuring family assets are transferred in accordance with the law.

This may include reviewing whether existing wills remain appropriate under the new framework, identifying issues arising from forced-heirship rules, co-ownership structures and inheritance debts, and ensuring that Greek and Australian estate-planning documents operate together effectively.

In many cases, identifying potential issues early can prevent costly disputes, administrative complications and delays later.

“Specialist advice can help families avoid future disputes, minimise administrative complications and ensure assets are transferred in accordance with the deceased’s wishes while complying with the laws of both jurisdictions,” Tripidakis says.

A more flexible future

Of all the reforms, Tripidakis believes the increased flexibility in succession planning will have the greatest impact on Greeks living abroad.

Historically, strict inheritance rules often limited the ability of families to structure their affairs according to their individual circumstances.

The new framework provides greater scope to organise succession matters in advance and achieve outcomes that better reflect modern family life.

“For members of the Greek diaspora, who frequently hold assets in both Greece and their country of residence, these reforms offer enhanced legal certainty and more effective cross-border estate-planning opportunities,” he says.

“They are also expected to reduce inheritance disputes and facilitate smoother intergenerational transfers of family property.”

His message to Greek Australians is straightforward.

“Do not wait until an inheritance issue arises. Review your wills, property ownership structures and succession plans now,” he says.

“Early planning can save significant time, expense and family conflict later. Taking action in advance ensures your wishes are properly reflected and reduces uncertainty for your family.”

‘What Greece’s biggest inheritance reform in decades means for the diaspora’

by John Tripidakis

June 10, 2026 – greekherald.com.au

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