Greece's New Digital Platform to Slash Will Publication Wait Times from 400 Days to 3-7 Days
Greece's Justice Ministry is introducing a digital platform, diathikes.gr, to streamline the process of publishing wills. The move aims to reduce wait times significantly, from up to 400 days to just 3-7 days. The new system, launching November 1, will create a General Registry of Wills and shift responsibility from courts to notaries.
Currently, the backlog is substantial. In 2024, 76,543 applications were submitted, with 14,000 cases still pending. The Athens First Instance Court, handling 100 judges and 12 court employees, requires an average of 330 days to publish a will. Piraeus takes 450 days, while Thessaloniki processes them in six days. The new platform will address this issue by providing immediate nationwide access to check if wills exist through a digital registry containing two sections: one for deposited wills and another for publication records.
Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis announced the initiative to eliminate courthouse queues and free up judicial resources. Deputy Justice Minister Ioannis Bougas praised the move, calling it 'a substantial undertaking for the digitization of justice' as part of broader reform efforts.
Initially, the platform will only process wills involving deaths after November 1, with special legislation addressing pending cases by late November. The digital registry is expected to significantly reduce the burden on courts and improve access for citizens.
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