Gift, Parental Grant or Inheritance?
All three transfer property, but they differ in who gives, when, and how they are taxed. Here are the differences so you can choose well.
Last updated: June 2026
The key differences
| Parental grant | Gift | Inheritance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who gives | Parent → child | Anyone | Due to death |
| When | While alive | While alive | After death |
| Tax-free (Α) | €800,000 | €800,000 | €150,000 (€400,000 spouse/minor) |
| Rate (Α) | 10% on excess | 10% on excess | 1%–10% progressive |
Parental grant
A transfer of property from a parent to a child, while alive. As a Category Α beneficiary, the child has an €800,000 tax-free amount and 10% on the excess.
Gift
A transfer while alive to anyone. If the donee is Category Α the same €800,000 applies; for Β and Γ the progressive scales apply (cash gifts at a flat 20%/40%).
Inheritance
A transfer due to death, taxed on a progressive scale by category (Α tax-free €150,000, specifically €400,000 for a surviving spouse/minor child).
When each option is more efficient
To transfer property to a child while alive, a parental grant with the €800,000 tax-free amount is usually more tax-efficient than inheritance (tax-free €150,000). Inheritance, however, needs no action while alive and the tax-free amount rises to €400,000 for a surviving spouse or minor child.
Comparison example
A €600,000 property to a child: as a parental grant → €0 tax (below the €800,000 limit). As an inheritance → €16,500. The gap shows why many parents choose a parental grant while alive.
Indicative information — not legal or tax advice. Privacy policy. Greek version: Ελληνικά.