Two things make Cyprus succession distinctive
- 1Forced heirship — Cyprus law reserves part of an estate for close family.
- 2The EU Succession Regulation — which lets many foreigners choose their national law instead.
Understanding how these interact is the key to estate planning in Cyprus.
Forced heirship (the "statutory portion")
Under the Wills and Succession Law (Cap. 195), a person domiciled in Cyprus cannot freely dispose of their whole estate. A reserved portion must pass to a spouse and/or children; only the remaining disposable portion can be left freely by will. The exact fractions depend on who survives:
- With a spouse and children, a larger share is reserved.
- With no children, more of the estate becomes disposable.
The EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV)
Regulation (EU) 650/2012 generally makes the law of the deceased's habitual residence govern the whole estate — but it lets a person elect the law of their nationality in their will. For a UK national with a Cyprus holiday home, electing English law in a properly drafted will can disapply Cyprus forced heirship over their Cyprus assets. (The UK did not opt into the Regulation, but Cyprus, as a participating state, applies the choice-of-law election.)
Why make a Cyprus will
Even though a foreign will can be valid, a separate Cyprus will dealing with Cyprus assets usually:
- speeds up probate in Cyprus,
- avoids the cost and delay of resealing or translating a foreign grant,
- reduces conflict-of-law uncertainty, and
- lets you make a clear choice-of-law election.
Make sure your Cyprus and home-country wills are coordinated so one does not accidentally revoke the other.
Probate and administration
On death, the estate is administered through the Probate Registry of the District Court. An executor or administrator collects assets, settles debts and distributes the estate. There is no inheritance tax in Cyprus (abolished in 2000), though other costs and foreign taxes may apply.
Trusts
A Cyprus International Trust (CIT) can be a powerful succession and asset-protection tool for international families, offering flexibility and confidentiality within a modern statutory framework.
A wills, trusts & probate lawyer can draft a coordinated Cyprus will with the right choice-of-law election.