How to Renounce an Inheritance in Greece is an important question for heirs who do not wish to acquire an estate, particularly when the inheritance may include debts, financial obligations or property-related liabilities.
Under Greek inheritance law, renunciation of an inheritance is a formal legal procedure. An heir who wishes to renounce should therefore determine the applicable deadline, the competent authority and the legal consequences before taking action.
The Law Office of Anna Deftereou in Athens provides legal assistance concerning inheritance matters in Greece, including inheritance renunciation and cases involving heirs who reside outside Greece.
For dedicated legal assistance with the procedure, visit our Renunciation of Inheritance Greece service page.
What Does It Mean to Renounce an Inheritance in Greece?
Renunciation means that a person called to an inheritance formally declares that they do not wish to become heir under the applicable Greek inheritance rules.
This is different from simply deciding not to use inherited property or refusing to participate in the administration of an estate.
A valid renunciation must follow the procedure established by Greek law.
This distinction is particularly important where an inheritance contains debts. Ignoring an inheritance or assuming that no action is required does not provide the same legal result as formally renouncing it.
How to Renounce an Inheritance in Greece: The Basic Procedure
An heir considering renunciation should first establish:
- why they have been called to the inheritance;
- when they became aware of the inheritance and the legal basis for their succession;
- whether a will exists;
- where the deceased had their relevant residence;
- whether the heir resides in Greece or abroad;
- whether any actions have already been taken concerning the estate;
- which authority is competent for the declaration.
The declaration of renunciation must then be made according to the procedure prescribed by Greek law.
Current official information concerning certificates recording whether an inheritance has been renounced is available through the Greek government’s administrative procedures:
Gov.gr – Certificate Concerning Renunciation of Inheritance
What Is the Deadline for Renouncing an Inheritance in Greece?
The deadline is one of the most important aspects of the procedure.
Greek inheritance law provides a limited period during which an heir may renounce an inheritance.
The calculation of that period depends on the circumstances of the succession, including when the heir became aware that the inheritance had devolved upon them and the basis on which they were called as heir.
Where succession arises under a will, publication of the will is also relevant to the commencement of the applicable period.
Special rules can apply where the deceased’s relevant residence was abroad or where the heir was residing abroad when the relevant period began.
Because missing the applicable deadline can have significant consequences, an heir should not calculate it solely from the date of death without examining the individual circumstances.
The Four-Month and One-Year Periods
Under the applicable Greek framework, the ordinary renunciation period is generally four months from the point at which the heir becomes aware of the devolution of the inheritance and the reason for it.
A one-year period can apply in certain cases involving an international element, including circumstances connected with the deceased’s last residence abroad or the heir’s residence abroad at the relevant time.
For testamentary succession, the period does not begin before the will has been published.
However, inheritance law in Greece was substantially reformed in 2026. The applicable provisions and transitional rules should therefore be checked against the date of death and the circumstances of the individual estate rather than assuming that a general online deadline applies automatically.
Why the Date of Death Matters
Greek inheritance law underwent significant reform through Law 5303/2026.
As a result, inheritance cases can fall under different provisions depending on when the succession opened and the transitional rules applicable to the particular estate.
This makes the date of death especially important in inheritance matters arising around the implementation of the new framework.
An heir should therefore establish which version of the inheritance rules applies before relying on information concerning deadlines, liability or procedure.
What Happens If the Deadline Expires?
Failing to renounce within the applicable legal period can have serious consequences.
An heir should not assume that they can simply submit the declaration whenever they choose after learning of an inheritance.
Once the relevant period has expired, the legal position can change significantly and a straightforward renunciation may no longer be available.
For this reason, anyone who is uncertain whether they want to accept an inheritance should obtain information about the applicable deadline as early as possible.
Inheritance Debts
Potential debts are one of the most common reasons why an heir considers renunciation.
An estate can include both assets and liabilities.
Possible liabilities may include:
- outstanding loans;
- tax liabilities;
- debts to private parties;
- obligations connected with real estate;
- other financial liabilities of the estate.
An heir should therefore avoid evaluating an inheritance solely according to the visible assets.
Where possible, the legal and financial position of the estate should be examined before a decision is made.
For broader inheritance assistance, see our Greek Inheritance Lawyer page.
Can You Renounce Only the Debts?
Generally, renunciation concerns the inheritance as a legal whole.
An heir cannot simply choose the valuable assets while rejecting only the unwanted liabilities through an ordinary renunciation.
This is one reason why understanding the composition of the estate can be important before deciding how to proceed.
Where there is uncertainty regarding liabilities, the available legal options should be examined according to the particular inheritance.
Can You Renounce Only Part of an Inheritance?
Renunciation should not be treated as a mechanism for selecting individual assets.
For example, an heir should not assume that they can retain a particular property while renouncing the remaining estate through a standard renunciation declaration.
Inheritance rights and the consequences of acceptance or renunciation should be assessed as a whole according to the applicable rules.
Actions Taken Before Renunciation
An heir considering renunciation should also be careful about actions taken concerning inherited assets.
Certain conduct may have legal consequences for the heir’s position.
For this reason, a person who is still deciding whether to renounce should obtain advice before selling, transferring, disposing of or otherwise dealing with estate assets.
The relevant facts should be reviewed individually rather than assuming that every interaction with inherited property has the same legal effect.
What Happens After an Heir Renounces?
Renunciation by one heir can affect the succession of other persons.
The inheritance may devolve upon the person or persons who are next entitled under the applicable succession rules.
This means that a renunciation should not be viewed only from the perspective of the person making the declaration.
It may create consequences for children, relatives or other potential successors.
This can be particularly important where several members of the same family are considering renunciation because an estate contains substantial liabilities.
Renunciation When Children Are Involved
Cases involving minors require particular attention.
If renunciation by an adult changes the order of succession and causes a minor to become an heir, separate rules concerning the protection and representation of the minor may become relevant.
Parents should therefore not assume that their own renunciation automatically resolves the inheritance issue for the entire family.
Where minor children may subsequently be called to the inheritance, the consequences should be examined before the adult heir completes the procedure.
Heirs Living Outside Greece
Renunciation cases frequently involve heirs who live outside Greece.
This may occur where:
- a Greek citizen has permanently moved abroad;
- descendants of a Greek family live in another country;
- a foreign resident inherits Greek property;
- the deceased had connections with more than one country.
International cases require particular attention to deadlines, representation and documentation.
The heir’s residence abroad may also be relevant to determining the applicable renunciation period.
Can You Renounce an Inheritance from Abroad?
Physical residence outside Greece does not necessarily prevent an heir from dealing with an inheritance matter in Greece.
Depending on the procedure and circumstances, legal representation may be possible through appropriate authorisation.
The required form of authorisation should be determined according to the acts that need to be performed.
An heir abroad should therefore establish the competent authority, applicable deadline and representation requirements before arranging documents or travelling to Greece.
Which Court Is Relevant?
The declaration is connected with the competent court of the inheritance.
Gov.gr currently states that, when selecting the court for the certificate concerning non-renunciation or renunciation, the declaration of renunciation is made at the registry of the court of inheritance.
Official administrative information concerning certificates of renunciation is also available through the National Registry of Administrative Public Services.
The competent authority should be confirmed for the individual case before taking procedural action.
Certificate of Renunciation or Non-Renunciation
Greek administrative procedures also provide for the issuance of a certificate establishing whether an inheritance has been renounced or whether acceptance under benefit of inventory has been declared.
Such documentation may be required in subsequent inheritance, administrative, notarial or property procedures.
The current administrative procedure is available digitally for specified courts, while other cases may involve the competent court or other authorised service channels.
Renunciation and Greek Property
Many inheritance cases involving people living abroad concern real estate located in Greece.
Before deciding what to do with inherited property, the heir may need to establish the legal status of the inheritance and determine whether they intend to remain an heir.
Where the inheritance is retained, subsequent procedures may involve title documentation, taxation, notarial acts and registration of inherited property rights.
For real-estate legal matters, see our Real Estate Lawyer Greece service page.
Renunciation and Inheritance Tax
Inheritance renunciation and inheritance taxation are related but distinct legal and tax matters.
The tax consequences depend on the legal position of the heir and the circumstances of the succession.
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) provides official information and electronic services concerning inheritance tax declarations.
AADE – Inheritance and Property Tax Services
Tax advice should be obtained from the appropriate tax professional where necessary, particularly in estates involving substantial assets, property or international elements.
Renunciation Is Different from Acceptance of Inheritance
Renunciation and acceptance lead to fundamentally different legal outcomes.
Before deciding between them, an heir may need to understand:
- the assets included in the estate;
- known or potential liabilities;
- the existence and contents of a will;
- the order of succession;
- the applicable deadline;
- the consequences for other heirs.
The decision should therefore be made according to the actual estate rather than simply because an inheritance contains property or appears to have financial value.
What If a Will Exists?
Where succession is based on a will, publication of the will is relevant to the renunciation period.
An heir should therefore establish whether a will exists and whether it has been properly published.
The contents of the will can also determine why a particular person has been called to the inheritance.
This information may be essential when calculating the applicable deadline.
What If You Discover the Inheritance Later?
The date on which an heir learns about the inheritance can be legally relevant.
The renunciation period is not necessarily calculated simply by counting a fixed number of months from the deceased’s death.
Knowledge of the devolution and the basis of succession is relevant under the applicable rules.
This can be especially important for heirs living abroad who learn of a Greek inheritance considerably later.
The facts should nevertheless be documented and assessed individually rather than assuming that late discovery automatically creates a new deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Renounce an Inheritance in Greece?
To renounce an inheritance in Greece, the heir must follow the formal procedure prescribed by Greek inheritance law and make the relevant declaration before the competent authority within the applicable legal period.
How long do I have to renounce an inheritance?
The ordinary period is generally four months from the legally relevant point of knowledge, while a one-year period can apply in certain cases involving residence abroad. The exact deadline should be established according to the circumstances and the legal framework applicable to the particular succession.
Does the period always begin on the date of death?
No. The calculation involves knowledge of the devolution of the inheritance and its basis. Where succession arises under a will, publication of the will is also relevant.
Can I renounce an inheritance because it has debts?
Potential estate liabilities are a common reason for considering renunciation. The heir should nevertheless understand the estate and legal consequences before making the declaration.
Can I keep a property and renounce the debts?
Renunciation should not be treated as a way of selecting individual assets and liabilities from an inheritance.
What happens after I renounce?
The inheritance can pass according to the applicable order of succession to the person or persons next entitled to inherit.
Can I renounce if I live outside Greece?
Residence abroad does not necessarily prevent the procedure. It can also affect the applicable deadline in certain circumstances. Representation and documentation requirements should be examined for the particular case.
Can my children be affected by my renunciation?
Potentially, yes. A renunciation can change the order of succession and may result in other relatives, including children, becoming relevant to the inheritance. Cases involving minors require particular attention.
Legal Assistance with Renunciation of Inheritance in Greece
The Law Office of Anna Deftereou provides legal assistance concerning inheritance matters in Greece for heirs residing in Greece and abroad.
The applicable inheritance framework, deadline, documentation and consequences can be examined according to the circumstances of the individual estate.
For dedicated assistance with the procedure, visit our Renunciation of Inheritance Greece service page.
For broader inheritance matters, see Greek Inheritance Lawyer.
For legal assistance concerning how to renounce an inheritance in Greece, contact our law office in Athens.
Law Office of Anna Deftereou
39 Stadiou Street, Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30 210 323 8062
Email: adeftereou.law@gmail.com