Making a Will in Cyprus: Formalities and Cross-Border Planning
How to make a valid will, which assets it covers, and how to choose the governing law when you own property in several countries.
List your assets and beneficiaries
Inventory property, bank accounts, shares and business interests in every country, and decide who should receive what. Consider forced-heirship rules that may limit freedom of disposition depending on the applicable law.
Sign with the required formalities
A will must be in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who also sign. A witness who is a beneficiary, or the spouse of one, risks losing the gift.
Choose governing law and store the will safely
Under EU succession rules the law of your habitual residence normally applies unless you choose the law of your nationality. Record this choice in the will, deposit it with your advocate or the Probate Registry and tell the executor where it is.
FAQ
Do I need a separate will for each country?
Not necessarily, and separate wills can conflict. A single carefully drafted will, or coordinated wills, with advice from lawyers in the relevant countries is usually safer.