How to access the bank account of someone who has passed away.

Accessing the bank account of someone deceased is one of the first practical shocks after a loss. From one day to the next, expenses continue, there are funeral costs, rent, property taxes, loan payments, and yet the money seems “stuck”.

In Portugal, accessing the bank account of a deceased person is subject to rules for the protection of assets and the prevention of improper withdrawals. The bank cannot hand over money to someone who “claims” to be an heir. They must have proof.

In this guide, we explain how to access the bank account of someone who has died, what documents banks ask for, what you can do before the estate is divided, how to deal with joint accounts, fixed deposits, certificates, and investments, and how to avoid mistakes that delay everything.

What happens to the bank account when the account holder dies?

When the bank is informed of a death, the general rule is to block transactions from the deceased account holder's share. This is to protect the estate until it is clear who can inherit and to what extent. In single-holder accounts, the block is usually total.

In accounts with multiple holders, it may be possible to block only the portion corresponding to the deceased, depending on the type of account and the bank's internal rules.

This explains why accessing a deceased person's bank account is not immediate. The bank needs documents to:

• Confirm death.

• Confirm who the heirs are.

• Confirm that the tax situation of the inheritance has been dealt with.

How to access a deceased person's bank account: the logic behind the documents

Many people feel that the bank “makes things complicated”. In reality, the bank is fulfilling legal and compliance obligations. The objective is simple: to ensure that money only leaves the account for the rightful recipient.

To access the bank account of a deceased person, there are three essential proofs:

• Proof of death.

• Heir quality test.

• Proof of applicable tax regularisation or exemption.

When these three pieces are aligned, the unlocking tends to progress with less resistance.

Step 1: Notify the bank of the death

The first step to accessing the bank account of a deceased person is to inform the bank where there are accounts, deposits, cards, or apps of the death. Ideally, do this as soon as you have the death certificate.

What to ask the bank for at this stage:

• • Statement of balance as at the date of death.

  • Identification of associated products (accounts, deposits, securities, safe deposit boxes).

  • Information on active direct debits, commissions, and cards.

This balance statement is important for the fiscal participation of the inheritance.

If you are organising the overall process, it may be useful to read: How long does the inheritance process take?.

Step 2: Find out which banks had accounts

A common problem is simple: the family doesn't know which bank accounts existed. And without this, it's impossible to access a deceased person's bank account, because you don't even know where to ask for information.

In Portugal, the heir can request information from the Bank of Portugal about accounts held by the deceased, through the Accounts Database. This helps to locate accounts and prevent assets from being forgotten.

If you don't already have a heritage map, also see: How to find out about the assets of a deceased person.

Step 3: Enabling heirs

To access the bank account of a deceased person, it is normally essential to present a declaration of inheritance. The declaration formally identifies who the successors are and allows the bank to know whom they can provide information to and whom they can release funds to.

The granting of probate can be dealt with at a notary's office, a registry office and, in many cases, at the Probate Service.

To delve deeper into this stage: Grant of probate e Documentation for the accreditation of heirs in Portugal.

Step 4: Notify Finance and provide tax evidence

One of the most common reasons for not being able to access a deceased person's bank account is the lack of proof of settled tax status.

In Portugal, there is an obligation to register a death and submit an inventory of assetsStamp Duty Model 1 and attachmentsas a general rule until the end of the third month following the month of death. Even when exempt, it is usually necessary to prove the exemption or that the declaration has been submitted.

To understand the fiscal part in detail: list of assets in the inheritance.

The bank may ask for:

• • Proof of delivery for Form 1.

  • Exemption or waiver declaration when applicable.

  • Other documents, depending on the type of financial product.

What documents do banks typically ask for to access the bank account of someone who has passed away?

Banks can have variations, but the core documentation is very similar.

• Death certificate.

• Granting of heirship.

• Identification of heirs (Citizen Card or Passport and NIF).

• Identification of the deceased (Tax Identification Number and identification details).

• Tax documents relating to Stamp Duty, exemption, or declaration submission.

• Power of attorney, if someone is representing heirs.

Having this folder well-prepared reduces trips to the counter and prevents accessing a deceased person's bank account from turning into a marathon.

Accessing a deceased person's bank account to pay urgent expenses

Many families ask if they can access a deceased person's bank account just to pay for the funeral, household bills, or instalments.

In practice, some banks accept direct payments for proven and urgent expenses, without handing over cash, especially when there is family consensus and minimal documentation. Others already require the probate of heirs. The important point is this: withdrawing cash without authorisation and without proof can create problems between heirs and may be disputed.

If there is a risk of conflict, always protect yourself with receipts, written communication, and transparency.

Joint accounts: what changes?

Joint accounts are a classic topic. To access the bank account of someone deceased when there was a joint holder, it's important to understand the type of account:

• Solidarity collection: Even if the account holder can operate it alone, the bank may limit the movement of the deceased's share.

• Joint account requires everyone's signature. With the death, transactions can be blocked until regularised.

In practice, even the joint holder I survive You may need to present a death certificate and await the probate of heirs to clarify the deceased's share.

Term deposits, certificates, investments and safe deposit boxes

When the aim is to access the bank account of someone deceased, there is often more than just a simple current account.

It is common to find:

• Fixed-term deposits with automatic renewal.

• Investment funds or managed portfolios.

• Stocks and bonds.

• Hired safes.

The basic rule remains: without proof of heirship and fiscal clearance, the bank will not release funds. And, in safe deposit boxes, there may be additional formalities, because the bank must guarantee an inventory and security of the contents.

When there is a will, does the way to access the bank account of someone deceased change?

A will does not eliminate stages. It helps to clarify who receives what, but the bank will still require documentary proof.

If there is a will, it may be necessary to prove:

• That the will is valid and enforceable.

• Which respects legal limits, such as the forced heirship.

• Who has the power to represent the estate.

If you want to understand how a will influences the distribution of money and other assets, and what remains mandatory (such as the reserved portion), it's worth looking into this further here: division of assets under a will.

When there is undivided inheritance and conflicts, does access become more difficult?

While the inheritance has not been divided, there is undivided inheritance. It is a normal phase, but it can be dangerous when there is mistrust.

If an heir attempts to access a deceased person's bank account without informing others, conflict is quick to arise. Therefore, the best strategy is to combine clear rules of transparency and, when necessary, formalise decisions.

While the inheritance has not been divided, we are dealing with an undivided inheritance, with its own rules regarding administration, rights and duties of the heirs. If you wish to frame this phase and understand what can and cannot be done before the partition, see: unpartitioned inheritances.

If there is a serious blockage, withholding of information or stalemate, an inventory may be necessary. To understand the way forward: Judicial division of inheritance.

How to access a deceased person's bank account when there are debts.

If there are debts in the inheritance, the family must act strategically. Rushing settlements can create risks and discussions about liability. In some cases, it may make sense to analyse options such as acceptance with benefit of inventory, depending on the circumstances.

If there is significant debt and the family is undecided about the next steps, it is advisable to carefully analyse options and risks, as the strategy changes when there are debts. For practical examples and context, see: How to share inherited assets with debts.

Who can handle the process and represent the estate?

Not all heirs are always able to go to the bank. Therefore, accessing the bank account of a deceased person can be done by representation, provided there is a power of attorney and the bank accepts the format and powers.

Furthermore, there is the figure of the "cabeça de casal" (head of the household), who administers the inheritance until the division and has a duty to promote the process.

To know who has the legitimacy to initiate and conduct: Who can initiate the sharing of assets.

Common mistakes that delay access to money

Most delays aren't due to “bad faith”. They're a lack of process. If you want to access a deceased person's bank account quickly, avoid these mistakes.

• Not informing the bank of the death and allowing direct debits to continue.

• Do not request a balance statement as of the date of death.

• Do not process heirship qualification too early.

• To submit incomplete documentation, without NIFs and identifications.

• Ignore participation in Finance and the asset register.

• Discuss sharing without judgment and without proof.

Quick guide to accessing the bank account of a deceased person

Before the list, a practical note: follow this order and keep copies of everything.

1. Obtain the death certificate.

2. Inform the bank of the death and request a balance statement as at the date of death.

3. To confirm where accounts exist, if necessary with the support of Banco de Portugal.

4. Handle habilitação de herdeiros.

5. Notify the Finance Department of the death and submit the list of assets.

6. Deliver the driving licence, identification documents and tax proofs to the bank.

7. To define, among heirs, how payments and withdrawals will be made, with transparency.

8. Proceed to sharing and final records when conditions are met.

If the main theme is asset division, can you elaborate? division of assets among heirs.

Conclusion

Accessing a deceased person's bank account is possible, but it requires a method. The bank needs proof of death, proof of heirs, and proof of tax status.

When a family prepares documents, communicates transparently, and follows the correct order, accessing a deceased person's bank account ceases to be an interminable roadblock and becomes a controlled process.

If you need support with accessing a deceased person's bank account, arranging probate, dealing with disputes, or preparing the division of assets, speak to our Probate and inheritance lawyers.