Restrictions on the freedom to dispose of one’s succession by will (reserved portion).

Under Cypriot law, the parents, spouse and descendants of the deceased are forced heirs (i.e. they inherit even if the testator disposed otherwise).

• Where the deceased leaves descendants and a spouse, the spouse and the children (or the descendants of predeceased children) are forced heirs of ¾ of the estate.

• Where the deceased leaves no descendants, but a spouse and/or a parent, the parents and the spouse are forced heirs of half of the estate.

Among the forced heirs, the estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy.

The reserved portion applies to the full extent only, if the deceased was a national of Cyprus.

• If the deceased or his/her father was born in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or in another Commonwealth country, he may dispose freely of his/her whole estate by will.

• Nationals of other countries are free to dispose of moveable property; however, the statutory portion applies to their real estate situated in Cyprus.

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