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Applying to open a Nachlasskonto in Germany:
The special account for settling a deceased person’s estate
When a person dies in Germany, their bank accounts are normally frozen by the bank without delay.
This measure prevents any money belonging to the deceased from being withdrawn or used without proper authorisation and is intended to protect the estate against unlawful dealings.
At the same time, the heirs – or their legal representatives – need a lawful way to:
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pay funeral and burial expenses,
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settle outstanding invoices and taxes,
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and formally wind up the estate.
This is exactly where the Nachlasskonto, literally an “estate settlement account”, comes into play.
In this article, we explain the purpose of this account, how it is opened, who is entitled to open it, and which documents the bank will usually require.
1. What is a Nachlasskonto?
A Nachlasskonto is a bank account that is opened in the name of a deceased person’s estate and managed by the heirs or their legal representative.
It is used exclusively for:
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settling the deceased’s debts,
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paying funeral and burial costs,
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receiving payments that belong to the estate (e.g. insurance payouts, rental income),
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and later distributing the remaining assets among the heirs in accordance with an agreement or a court decision.
2. Who is allowed to open a Nachlasskonto?
Generally, the following persons are entitled to open such an account:
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the lawful or testamentary heirs,
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provided they can prove their status as heirs,
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the executor of the will (Testamentsvollstrecker),
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if the deceased appointed an executor in a valid will,
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a court-appointed Nachlassverwalter (estate administrator),
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if the probate court has ordered such an administration.
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3. Where can a Nachlasskonto be opened?
A Nachlasskonto can be opened at virtually any bank in Germany, for example:
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Sparkasse,
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Volks- und Raiffeisenbank,
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Deutsche Bank,
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or other private banks.
Practical tip:
It is often advisable to open the Nachlasskonto at the same bank where the deceased already held accounts. This simplifies internal transfers and provides an immediate overview of existing balances and liabilities.
4. Which documents are required?
The following documents are usually requested by the bank:
| Document | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Death certificate (Sterbeurkunde) | Original or officially certified copy |
| Certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) | or a notarised will with court opening protocol |
| Proof of identity | Passport or ID card of the applicant |
| Formal account opening application | Bank’s own form or a written application in letter form |
| Power of attorney (Vollmacht), if applicable | If a representative acts on behalf of the heirs |
5. Important notes on the Nachlasskonto
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The account is usually opened under a name such as:
“Nachlasskonto für den Nachlass von [name of the deceased]”. -
It does not belong to one single heir, but is held in the name of the entire estate.
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The funds must not be used for private expenses of the heirs (e.g. personal purchases).
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If there is no executor, many banks require the consent of all heirs before money can be withdrawn or transferred from the account.
6. Is it always advisable to open a Nachlasskonto?
In many situations, the answer is yes, especially where:
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the estate includes several bank, savings or investment accounts,
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there is more than one heir,
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debts and ongoing obligations (e.g. rent, loans, taxes) must be paid from the estate first,
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a clear separation between personal funds and estate assets is required,
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there are disputes or uncertainties among the heirs – in such cases the Nachlasskonto can serve as a transparent tool for settling the estate.
7. Sample wording for an application to open a Nachlasskonto (for submission to the bank)
Betreff: Antrag auf Eröffnung eines Nachlasskontos
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
im Zusammenhang mit dem Todesfall von Herrn/Frau [اسم المتوفى], geb. am [تاريخ الميلاد], verstorben am [تاريخ الوفاة], beantrage ich hiermit die Eröffnung eines Nachlasskontos auf den Namen des Verstorbenen.
Als Nachweis meiner Berechtigung lege ich folgende Unterlagen bei:
– Sterbeurkunde
– Erbschein / eröffnetes Testament
– Personalausweis
Ich bitte um eine schriftliche Bestätigung der Kontoeröffnung sowie die Mitteilung der IBAN.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[اسم مقدم الطلب]
[التوقيع]
[التاريخ]
(Hinweis: Dieses Musterschreiben kann individuell angepasst und mit Ihren Daten in deutscher Sprache ausgefüllt werden.)
Conclusion
Opening a Nachlasskonto is a key step in managing a deceased person’s funds transparently and in compliance with the law.
Whether you are an heir or an executor, this account is a practical tool for ensuring that the estate is wound up in an orderly way, and it helps you to avoid accusations of mixing funds or acting without proper authority.
Acting early and providing complete documentation will save time, reduce complications and minimise the risk of legal disputes later on.
The editorial team and authors of the website make every effort to provide accurate information through thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please therefore treat the information in this article as preliminary guidance only and always contact the competent authorities and qualified experts for definitive and legally binding information.
