Inheritance in Greece: inheritance tax and inheriting property, a guide for Israelis (2026)
What happens when you inherit a flat in Greece, or plan what happens to a property you bought: Greek inheritance tax by relationship, the tax-free amounts, the deadlines for heirs living in Israel, the steps, and the new law of September 2026.
- Greece levies inheritance tax on Greek property even when the heirs live in Israel. Children, spouses and parents are exempt up to €150,000 each; above that they pay 1–10%.
- An heir living outside Greece must file the inheritance tax return within a year of the death. The tax can be paid in up to 12 instalments.
- Israel has no inheritance tax. But selling or renting out the property brings tax in Greece and reporting duties in Israel.
If you own property in Greece, plan now: a proper will, Greek tax numbers for your heirs, and a folder with the property documents. If you have inherited, start early: gathering documents from Israel, translating them and getting a tax number takes time.
Inheritance in Greece in brief
A flat in Greece passes by inheritance under Greek rules for registration and tax, even when the owner and heirs are Israeli. There are three main questions: which law decides who the heirs are, how much inheritance tax is paid in Greece, and how the flat is registered in the heirs' names. This guide answers all three, without replacing a lawyer.
Which law decides who inherits?
- Greece applies the EU Succession Regulation (650/2012). As a rule, the law that applies is that of the country where the deceased last lived (their "habitual residence").
- In a will you can, under certain conditions, choose the law of your nationality. How that works in practice when Israel is involved depends on the circumstances, and is exactly a question for a Greek lawyer.
- Reserved share for family: Greek law has a "reserved share" (νόμιμη μοίρα) for children, the spouse and sometimes parents. The new reform turns this share mainly into a right to money rather than co-ownership of the property.
The new Law 5303/2026 (in force from 16 September 2026) changed several important things: the spouse's share when there is one child rises to a third, partners who lived together for at least 3 years without marriage gain inheritance rights, and inheritance agreements are allowed for the first time.
How much inheritance tax is paid in Greece?
Inheritance tax is calculated for each heir by relationship to the deceased and the value of their share. A flat is valued at the state's "objective value".
| Category | Who | Tax-free | Bands |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | spouse, children, grandchildren, parents | €150,000 | 1% to €300,000, 5% to €600,000, 10% above |
| B | siblings, nephews and nieces, in-laws and others | €30,000 | 5% to €100,000, 10% to €300,000, 20% above |
| C | everyone else | €6,000 | 20% to €100,000, 30% to €300,000, 40% above |
- Spouse and minor children: a higher exemption of €400,000.
- Unmarried partners: according to Terra Property, despite the new inheritance rights, partners without marriage or a civil partnership are still taxed in Category C.
- Example: an adult child inheriting half of a flat with an objective value of €400,000 (a €200,000 share) pays 1% on €50,000, i.e. €500.
Deadlines: what matters for heirs living in Israel
- Inheritance tax return: if the deceased or the heir lived outside Greece, you have one year from the death. It is filed through the tax authority's myPROPERTY system, and sometimes a visit to the tax office is needed.
- Renouncing: someone living outside Greece can renounce within a year. Those who do not renounce are treated as having accepted the inheritance, including its debts. Under the new law, an heir can keep the inheritance separate from their own assets.
- Paying the tax: in up to 12 two-monthly instalments (minimum €500 each), with a 5% discount for paying in full up front.
The steps: transferring a flat in Greece to the heirs
- Documents from Israel: death certificate, succession order or probate order, and documents showing the family relationship. With an apostille and certified Greek translation.
- A Greek tax number (ΑΦΜ) for each heir. Can be done remotely. Tax number guide.
- Inheritance tax return and payment, or an instalment plan.
- Property certificates: ENFIA, an engineer's certificate on unauthorised construction, and the title documents.
- Deed of acceptance of inheritance at a notary (αποδοχή κληρονομιάς).
- Cadastre registration in the heirs' names. Required before selling.
- Update the property declaration (Ε9) and ENFIA in the heirs' names.
Your lawyer will tell you whether the Israeli documents are enough, or whether an additional court procedure in Greece is needed.
Other things to know
- Airbnb: in central Athens (districts 1–3) and central Thessaloniki, a short-term rental registration is deleted when the flat is inherited, and it cannot be registered again.
- Israel: there has been no inheritance tax in Israel since 1981. But selling the property later or rental income requires reporting and tax under the normal rules. Israel and Greece have a double tax treaty on income. Talk to an Israeli accountant.
- Gifts during life: transferring property to children during your lifetime (γονική παροχή) is taxed under different rules. If you are considering it, ask a lawyer and an accountant what is better in your case.
Planning ahead
- Will: check with a Greek and an Israeli lawyer how an Israeli will applies to property in Greece, and whether a separate will makes sense.
- Tax numbers for heirs: getting them in advance saves time at a hard moment.
- Property folder: purchase deed, cadastre registration, engineer and energy certificates, and bank account details.
- Day-to-day management: who will manage the property while the estate is being settled? Managing property in Greece from Israel.
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FAQ
Is there inheritance tax in Greece?
Yes. Greece levies inheritance tax on Greek property, even when the heirs live abroad. Children, spouses, grandchildren and parents are exempt up to €150,000 each, and pay 1–10% above that.
How much inheritance tax is paid on a flat in Greece?
It depends on the relationship and the value. A child inheriting a share with an objective value of €200,000 pays 1% on €50,000, i.e. €500. For siblings the exemption is €30,000, and for non-relatives only €6,000.
What is the deadline for the Greek inheritance tax return?
If the deceased or the heir lived outside Greece, within one year of the death. It is filed through the tax authority's myPROPERTY system.
Does an heir living in Israel need to travel to Greece?
Not necessarily. With a power of attorney for a Greek lawyer and a tax number obtained remotely, most of the process can be done from Israel.
Is there Israeli inheritance tax on a flat in Greece?
No. Israel has had no inheritance tax since 1981. But if you sell or rent out the flat, there are tax and reporting duties.
Can I renounce an inheritance in Greece?
Yes. Someone living outside Greece can renounce within a year. Those who do not renounce are treated as having accepted the inheritance, including its debts.
What changed in Greek inheritance law in 2026?
Law 5303/2026, in force from 16 September 2026, increased the spouse's share, gave inheritance rights to partners who lived together for at least 3 years, turned the family's reserved share mainly into a right to money, and allowed inheritance agreements.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Cross-border inheritance is complex. Consult a Greek lawyer and an Israeli accountant.
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