Unblocking a BNP Paribas Fortis account after a death

BNP Paribas Fortis is one of the largest banks in Belgium. On a death, BNP Paribas Fortis follows its own procedure to freeze and later unfreeze accounts. Here are the steps, documents and points of attention.

Step 1: Notify BNP Paribas Fortis

Three options to report the death:

• By phone via the bereavement desk on 02 312 12 12 (local rate). Monday to Friday 8 to 18.
• In a branch with a paper copy of the death certificate.
• Via Easy Banking Web or Easy Banking App: menu "Report a death" since 2023 also digital.

BNP Paribas Fortis confirms the freeze within 24 to 72 hours. Card payments, transfers and direct debits are blocked, except the legally allowed ongoing payments for gas, water, electricity, telecom and rent of the family home.

Step 2: Gather documents

BNP Paribas Fortis 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, both sides;
4. Heirs' declaration (bank's own form, signed by all heirs);
5. If applicable, copy of the will.

The BNP Paribas Fortis death form is on bnpparibasfortis.be under "Succession" or available in any branch.

Step 3: Tax certificate

BNP Paribas Fortis automatically sends a tax certificate to VLABEL (Flanders) or FPS Finance (Brussels/Wallonia). It contains:

• balances of all accounts on the date of death;
• overview of transactions over the 3 years preceding death;
• 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, BNP Paribas Fortis unfreezes the accounts within 7 to 14 business days. The complete dossier can be handed in at a branch or sent to BNP Paribas Fortis Successions, Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussels.

The bank then opens a succession channel: funds are pooled pending distribution among heirs. Investments 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: the amount may not exceed half of the balance. BNP Paribas Fortis requires:

• invoice or proof of expense;
• signed form "Release urgent expenses";
• ID card of the applicant.

Release within 3 to 5 business days.

BNP-specific points

• BNP Paribas Fortis, Hello bank! and Fintro belong to the same group but often process separate files. Accounts in several? Notify separately.
• BNP Paribas Fortis offers since 2022 a digital succession coach via Easy Banking Web. This tool guides through the steps, manages documents and books appointments.
• Investment accounts and securities portfolios are not sold automatically. Heirs choose: keep, sell or transfer.
• AG Insurance (BNP Paribas Fortis's insurance partner) follows a separate procedure for life insurance. Beneficiaries receive the capital directly.
• Joint accounts (and/or): half is released to the surviving spouse upon presenting the certificate of inheritance. The other half follows after distribution.

Closing

BNP Paribas Fortis has a solid death procedure, with good phone support and a digital tool that simplifies the process. Most simple estates are settled in 6 to 10 weeks, file complete. For general rules on bank freeze see unfreezing a bank account. For the certificate of inheritance see certificate or deed.