In the absence of a will, who inherits and how much?

Where there is no will, the following principles apply to the various scenarios, such as for example:

• If the deceased was unmarried and without children: the estate is divided equally between the deceased’s parents and any brothers and sisters. If a brother/sister is already deceased, he/she is represented by his/her descendants per stirpes.
• If the deceased was unmarried and leaves children: the children inherit equal portions. The portion of a child who is already deceased reverts to that child’s descendants per stirpes (representation).
• If the deceased leaves a spouse: the surviving spouse becomes the sole heir, if there are no descendants, father or mother, grandparents and great grandparents of the deceased and their descendants.

• If the deceased leaves a spouse and children: the spouse receives a quarter of the estate. The remaining three-quarters of the estate are divided equally between the children.

Do the partners of a registered or non-registered partnership inherit?

Under Greek law the surviving partner of a registered partnership has a right to inherit. The partners of a non-registered partnership/de facto partnership can only become heirs in accordance with the provisions of a will.

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