Executors of wills under the new Greek succession law
The 2026 reform strengthened the position of the executor of a will and clarified the limits of his or her powers. What testators, heirs and foreign fiduciaries need to know.
Appointment
An executor is appointed by the testator in the will or – new since 2026 – in an inheritance contract mortis causa. One or more natural or legal persons may be appointed, and the testator may authorise the executor to designate co-executors or successors (Article 1984 of the Civil Code). The appointment cannot be made by inter vivos deed or left to the discretion of a third party (Article 1774). It is void if the person is incapable or has limited legal capacity at the time of acceptance (Article 1985), and persons related to the executor as described in Article 1726 may not act as notary or witness to the will on pain of nullity of the appointment (Article 1727). The office begins with acceptance, declared – like renunciation – to the registry of the court of the succession (Article 1986).
Powers
The executor’s task is to carry out the dispositions of the will and he or she may perform any act expressly authorised by the testator or necessary for that purpose. The executor may now manage the whole or part of the estate not only where this is necessary to carry out the will but also, independently of that, where the testator so provided (Article 1987). This closes a gap that often frustrated foreign-style ‘executor and trustee’ appointments. An executor appointed by inheritance contract has only the powers the contract confers.
For acts of major significance – sale of real estate or valuable movables, of securities, shares or bonds, taking a loan, settling a dispute or incurring expenditure above the small-claims threshold – the executor must first notify the heir and allow two months for consent; failing consent, the court of the succession may authorise the act. In both cases the heir becomes liable for the estate’s debts with his or her personal assets as well, which is a significant consequence under the new limited-liability regime for heirs. An executor who acts without notice, consent or authorisation is jointly and severally liable with the heir and has no right of recourse (Article 1988).
Liability, remuneration and termination
The executor is liable to the heir under the rules of mandate for loss caused by his or her fault and must render accounts if he or she manages the estate (Article 1990). Unless the will provides otherwise, the court may fix a reasonable fee (Article 1994). The office ends on completion of the dispositions, on expiry of the period fixed in the will and, in any event, thirty years after the testator’s death (Article 1997). Executors appointed under wills of persons who died before 16 September 2026 continue under the previous law, save that the new rule on management of a minor’s or protected adult’s inheritance (Article 1989) applies from that date.
How we can help
We act for executors and heirs in the administration of Greek estates and advise foreign executors on their powers and duties under Greek law.
Updated October 2026. This article reflects Law 5303/2026, applicable to successions opening on or after 16 September 2026, and is for general information only; it does not constitute legal advice.
* The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as at the time of writing. We have no obligation to update it. We accept no responsibility against any third party who is not a client of the firm and has not signed the terms of our engagement.