Unblocking a Belfius account after a death

Belfius is one of the largest banks in Belgium, formed from Dexia. On a death, Belfius follows its own procedure to freeze and later unfreeze accounts. Here are the steps, documents and specific points.

Step 1: Notify Belfius

Three options to report the death:

• By phone via the Belfius succession service on 02 222 12 02 (local rate). Monday to Friday 8 to 22, Saturday 9 to 17.
• In a Belfius branch with a paper copy of the death certificate.
• Via Belfius Direct Net or Belfius Mobile: menu "Report a death" since 2023 also digital.

Belfius confirms the freeze within 24 to 48 hours. Card payments, transfers and direct debits are blocked. Legally allowed ongoing payments (gas, water, electricity, telecom, rent of the family home) continue.

Step 2: Gather documents

Belfius requires for unfreezing:

1. Death certificate (municipality, free to a few euros per copy);
2. Certificate or deed of inheritance (FPS Finance free, or notary 250 to 500 euros);
3. ID cards of all heirs;
4. Belfius "Declaration after death" form, signed by all heirs;
5. If applicable: copy of the will.

The death form is on belfius.be under "What to do on a death" or in any branch.

Step 3: Tax certificate

Belfius automatically sends a tax certificate to VLABEL (Flanders) or FPS Finance (Brussels/Wallonia). Contents:

• balances of all accounts on the date of death;
• overview of transactions over the 3 years preceding death (relevant for gift tax);
• contents of any securities portfolio;
• contents of a safe (at opening with witness from the bank).

Request a copy of this certificate for your file and the inheritance declaration.

Step 4: Unfreezing

After receipt of all documents, Belfius unfreezes the accounts within 5 to 10 business days. The complete dossier can be handed in at a branch or sent to Belfius Successions, Place Charles Rogier 11, 1210 Brussels.

Belfius opens a succession channel: funds pooled pending distribution among heirs. Investment accounts stay active, dividends keep running.

Step 5: Urgent costs

For funeral costs and invoices up to 5,000 euros, the surviving partner can request a release. Condition: no more than half of the balance. Belfius requires:

• invoice or proof of expense (funeral director, hospital, public welfare centre);
• signed form "Release urgent costs";
• ID card of the applicant.

Release within 2 to 4 business days.

Belfius-specific points

• Belfius offers a free succession brochure in branches and on the website. That brochure bundles all forms.
• Investment accounts and securities portfolios are not sold automatically. Heirs choose: keep, sell or transfer.
• Belfius Insurance follows a separate procedure for life insurance and pension products. Beneficiaries receive the capital directly, outside the inheritance declaration (under tax conditions).
• Savings accounts with multiple holders (and/or account) are released for half to the surviving partner upon presenting the certificate of inheritance. The other half follows after distribution.
• Belfius works with a fixed contact (account manager Successions) per file. You receive a name and email after notification.

Closing

Belfius is known for a smooth and friendly death process. The combination of phone (02 222 12 02) plus digital tools via Belfius Direct Net means most simple estates are settled in 5 to 8 weeks. For general rules on bank freeze see unfreezing a bank account. For the certificate of inheritance see certificate or deed.