At a death in Belgium, the deceased's bank accounts and their spouse's are automatically frozen. No card payments, no transfers, no direct debits. Here is, step by step, how to get everything moving again. For each bank you typically have to draft a separate letter with the correct supporting documents; Nalenta generates those letters automatically from your dossier so you only need to sign and send them.
Why does the bank freeze the accounts?
The bank is legally required to freeze the funds to allow the FPS Finance and VLABEL to draw up a list of assets. That list is the basis for the inheritance declaration. Without the freeze, money could disappear before the declaration, with a tax loss.
What is still possible
- A release of up to 5,000 euros for urgent expenses (funeral costs, open bills). The surviving partner can make this withdrawal provided it does not exceed half of the balance.
- Direct debits for gas, water, electricity, telecom and rent continue normally, but only for the family home.
- Heirs can, by written agreement (or certificate), have certain payments executed.
How do you unfreeze the accounts?
You need two documents: a certificate of inheritance (simple estates) or a deed of inheritance (will, marriage contract, or minor heir).
Our guide explains the difference.
Steps:
- Notify all banks where the deceased or partner held an account, with the death certificate.
- Request a certificate of inheritance from the Legal Security office of the FPS Finance (free, about 4 weeks) or a deed from a notary (250 to 500 euros, faster).
- Hand the certificate or deed to each bank. They unfreeze within a few business days.
- Payments resume, cards reactivated, or new accounts opened in the heirs' names.
Timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 7 | Notify banks, confirm freeze |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Request certificate or deed |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Receive documents, hand to banks |
| Weeks 5 to 7 | Funds unfrozen, payments resumed |
What about the partner's account?
The surviving partner's account is also frozen, because the balance saved during the marriage is presumed to fall into the community. After handing over the certificate, one half is released (own assets), the other half follows after the inheritance declaration or with heirs' agreement.
Practical tips
- Before the death, make a list of accounts, safes, credits so you forget nothing.
- Also ask the bank for the tax certificate it must compile (list of assets over the past 3 years).
- Investment accounts are also frozen; dividends and prices keep running.
Read on about the first 7 days or see what to do after a death.