Greece Inheritance and Gift Tax Guide 2026 — Rates 1-40% by Category

Overview of Greek Inheritance and Gift Tax

Greece imposes an inheritance tax (φόρος κληρονομιάς) and gift tax (φόρος δωρεάς) on the transfer of assets by reason of death or by inter vivos gift. The tax is governed by Νόμος 2961/2001 (Κώδικας Φορολογίας Κληρονομιών, Δωρεών και Γονικών Παροχών). The tax is levied on the worldwide assets of the deceased/donor if they were Greek residents at the time of death/gift. For non-residents, the tax applies only to assets located in Greece (primarily real estate and certain Greek financial assets).

The Greek inheritance and gift tax system is based on three beneficiary categories (Κατηγορία Α, Β, Γ) determined by the relationship between the deceased/donor and the beneficiary. Each category has its own tax-free threshold and progressive rates. The tax is calculated on the net value inherited or received by each beneficiary (after deducting the tax-free threshold and certain liabilities).

Tax Rates by Category (2026)

The tax rate and exemption amount depend entirely on the relationship between the deceased/donor and the beneficiary:

Category A (Κατηγορία Α) — Very Close Relatives: Includes: spouse (σύζυγος), children (τέκνα), grandchildren (εγγόνια), parents (γονείς), and grandparents (παππούδες/γιαγιάδες). Tax-free threshold: €400,000 for spouse and children (€100,000 for grandchildren and parents). Progressive rates on the excess: up to €400,000 — 1%. €400,001-€800,000 — 5%. Over €800,000 — 10%. Example: a spouse inheriting €1,000,000 pays 0% on the first €400,000, 1% on €400,001-€800,000 (€4,000), and 10% on €800,001-€1,000,000 (€20,000). Total tax: €24,000 (effective rate 2.4%).

Category B (Κατηγορία Β) — Other Close Relatives: Includes: siblings (αδέλφια), nieces/nephews (ανίψια), uncles/aunts (θείος/θεία), and cousins (πρώτα ξαδέλφια). Tax-free threshold: €50,000. Progressive rates on the excess: up to €200,000 — 5%. €200,001-€500,000 — 15%. Over €500,000 — 25%. Example: a sibling inheriting €600,000 pays 0% on the first €50,000, 5% on €50,001-€200,000 (€7,500), 15% on €200,001-€500,000 (€45,000), and 25% on €500,001-€600,000 (€25,000). Total tax: €77,500 (effective rate 12.9%).

Category C (Κατηγορία Γ) — All Other Individuals: Includes: all other relatives not covered by A or B, unrelated individuals, and legal entities. Tax-free threshold: €6,000 (for individuals). For legal entities, no exemption applies. Progressive rates on the excess: up to €100,000 — 20%. €100,001-€300,000 — 30%. Over €300,000 — 40%. Example: an unrelated individual inheriting €500,000 pays 0% on the first €6,000, 20% on €6,001-€100,000 (€18,800), 30% on €100,001-€300,000 (€60,000), and 40% on €300,001-€500,000 (€80,000). Total tax: €158,800 (effective rate 31.8%).

Parental Gifts (Γονικές Παροχές)

Parental gifts (γονικές παροχές) — transfers from parents to children — receive special treatment. The first €400,000 per child is tax-free (same as the Category A exemption). This exemption applies cumulatively to all gifts and inheritances received by the child from the same parent. The exemption resets every 3 years — meaning a parent can gift up to €400,000 to each child every 3 years without triggering gift tax.

Gifts for Marriage (Προίκα/Γονική Παροχή για Γάμο): Gifts made to children specifically for marriage (known as προίκα or γονική παροχή έναντι της μερίδας κληρονομιάς) enjoy special treatment: an additional tax-free allowance of €100,000 per child (in addition to the standard €400,000 parental gift exemption). The gift must be made within 5 years of the marriage and documented by a notarial deed (συμβολαιογραφικό έγγραφο).

Real Estate Gifts: Gifts of real estate are subject to both gift tax (based on the beneficiary's category) and transfer tax (φόρος μεταβίβασης ακινήτων) at 3% of the cadastral value. However, gifts between Category A relatives (spouse, children, parents) are exempt from the 3% transfer tax, making direct family transfers of property significantly more tax-efficient.

Valuation and Filing

Asset Valuation: Assets are valued at their market value at the date of death or gift. For real estate, the cadastral value (αντικειμενική αξία) is used as a minimum. For listed securities, the stock exchange price on the date of death/gift is used. For unlisted shares, the book value or a valuation by a certified auditor is required. For bank accounts, the balance on the date of death. Deductions are allowed for: the deceased's debts (funeral expenses, medical expenses, mortgages), proportional inheritance tax paid in other jurisdictions, and legal fees for the inheritance process.

Filing Requirements: The inheritance tax declaration (Δήλωση Φορολογίας Κληρονομιάς) must be filed within 6 months of the date of death (or 12 months if the deceased was resident abroad). The declaration is filed electronically through the TaxisNet platform. Gift tax declarations must be filed within 30 days of the notarial deed of gift. Late filing incurs penalties of €100 to €500 plus interest at 0.73% per month.

Tax Payment: Inheritance tax is paid in 18 equal monthly instalments (36 instalments if the beneficiary is Category A and the inherited amount exceeds the tax-free threshold by more than €200,000). Gift tax is due within 30 days of the notarial deed. A 10% discount applies to full payment within the initial 6-month filing period (for inheritances).

FAQs

Is there an inheritance tax on life insurance payouts?

Life insurance payouts to beneficiaries are exempt from inheritance tax in Greece, provided the beneficiary is a person designated in the policy (not the estate). The payout is also exempt from income tax. This makes life insurance an effective tool for inheritance tax planning, particularly for Category B and C beneficiaries who would face higher rates on direct inheritances.

What about inheritances from abroad?

If the deceased was a Greek resident at the time of death, inheritance tax applies to worldwide assets regardless of where the assets are located. If the deceased was not a Greek resident, only Greek-located assets (real estate in Greece, Greek bank accounts, shares in Greek companies) are subject to Greek inheritance tax. Foreign inheritance tax paid abroad can be credited against Greek inheritance tax on a proportional basis, up to the Greek tax due on the same assets. Most double taxation treaties also contain inheritance tax provisions.

Can I avoid inheritance tax by giving gifts before death?

Gifts made within 5 years of the donor's death are included in the inheritance tax calculation (the μεταθανάτια αθροιστική κλίμακα — post-mortem cumulative scale). The gift tax paid during the donor's lifetime is credited against the inheritance tax due. This prevents tax avoidance through pre-death gifts. The 5-year look-back applies to all gifts, regardless of the relationship. Planning tip: gifts made more than 5 years before death are excluded from the inheritance calculation, so early planning is effective. Also, the €400,000 Category A exemption applies to both inheritances and gifts cumulatively, so careful coordination is needed.