42,000 euros sitting in a Sparkasse account in Dresden. The account holder - your mother, who lived in Germany and passed away three months ago. You’re the sole heir, living in Kyiv. The bank froze the account, keeps charging Kontoführungsgebühren (monthly maintenance fees), and responds to every letter you send with one word: Erbschein. Sound familiar? According to various estimates, between 2 and 9 billion euros sit in so-called “dormant” accounts (nachrichtenlose Konten) in Germany - money that heirs never managed to claim. Let’s figure out how to keep your thousands from becoming part of that statistic.
Why the bank freezes the account and what happens next¶
The bank learns about a client’s death from various sources - from relatives, from the Standesamt (civil registry office), or even from a newspaper obituary. Once the information is confirmed, the account gets frozen. No withdrawals, no transfers, you can’t even check the balance - nothing. This isn’t the bank being difficult, it’s the law.
Under German law, there’s a principle called Gesamtrechtsnachfolge (universal succession) - the estate passes to the heirs automatically at the moment of death. Technically, you already own that money. But the bank can’t hand it over until you prove you’re actually the heir. And that’s where the paperwork and translation quest begins.
As law firm Schlun & Elseven explains:
Banks cannot simply release a deceased person’s funds to someone claiming to be the heir without that individual proving their inheritance status in a legally recognized manner.
In plain terms: the bank physically can’t release funds until you prove your heir status with documents. This applies to every bank - from Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank down to the smallest Sparkasse.
While you’re gathering paperwork, the bank keeps charging monthly account maintenance fees. Over 6-12 months (a realistic timeline for international inheritance), that’s 50-150 euros just for the account existing.
Erbschein: the one document without which the bank won’t budge¶
Erbschein (certificate of inheritance) is a document from the German Nachlassgericht (probate court) that officially confirms who the heirs are and what share each gets. Without an Erbschein, no German bank will release a single cent.
Can’t I just show my Ukrainian inheritance certificate?¶
No. A Ukrainian certificate of inheritance (issued by a notary) isn’t directly recognized in Germany. As German Probate Lawyer notes:
Foreign grants of probate are generally not recognized by German banks directly. German courts remain currently reluctant to apply EU Succession Regulation provisions that would favor foreign administrators.
So even with a perfect translation and apostille - the bank will say “no, we need an Erbschein.” There’s one exception: if the deceased left a notarized will (notarielles Testament) or inheritance contract (Erbvertrag), and the court has officially opened it - some banks will accept that instead. But “some” is the operative word.
How to get an Erbschein from abroad¶
If you’re living in Ukraine, there are three routes:
- Through the German embassy - fill out the questionnaire, submit documents, the embassy forwards everything to the Nachlassgericht. Timeline: 3-6 months. Embassy fees: up to 300 euros for application preparation + up to 157 euros for certification
- Through a German notary - find a notary in the city where the deceased lived, they file the application on your behalf. Additional notary fees + 19% VAT
- Through a German inheritance lawyer - the most expensive but most reliable option for complex cases
To file the application, you’ll need to make an eidesstattliche Versicherung (statutory declaration / affidavit) - at least one heir must do this.
How much does an Erbschein cost?¶
The cost depends on the estate value and is calculated using the GNotKG fee table:
| Estate value | Court fee (Erbschein + declaration) | Through a notary (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| €10,000 | €150 | ~€300 |
| €25,000 | €230 | ~€460 |
| €50,000 | €330 | ~€660 |
| €100,000 | €440 | ~€1,196 |
| €500,000 | €1,870 | ~€3,740 |
Note: the court fee is doubled because you pay separately for the Erbschein itself and for the eidesstattliche Versicherung.
Alternative: Europäisches Nachlasszeugnis¶
If the deceased had accounts in multiple EU countries, instead of getting a separate Erbschein in each country, you can apply for a Europäisches Nachlasszeugnis (European Certificate of Succession). It’s issued by the court in the country where the deceased habitually resided and works across the entire EU (except Denmark and Ireland). It’s valid for 6 months but can be renewed.
For Ukrainians, there’s a catch: Ukraine isn’t an EU member, so a Ukrainian certificate can’t serve as the basis for the European Certificate. But if your relative habitually lived in Germany - you can apply for a Europäisches Nachlasszeugnis through the Nachlassgericht.
Which documents need translation and what type the bank accepts¶
To close the account and obtain an Erbschein, you’ll need a full package of documents. All of them must be translated by a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) - someone who has taken an oath before a German court. A notarized translation done in Ukraine won’t be accepted by German courts or banks.
Core document package¶
| Document | Purpose | Apostille needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate | Proof of death | Yes |
| Heir’s birth certificate | Proof of family relationship | Yes |
| Marriage certificate (if heir is a spouse) | Proof of marital relationship | Yes |
| Heir’s passport | Identity verification | Certified copy |
| Ukrainian inheritance certificate | Additional proof of inheritance rights | Yes |
| Power of attorney (if using a representative) | Authorization to act on behalf | Yes |
Additional documents (case-dependent)¶
- Will (if one exists) - translated in full, including handwritten notes
- Divorce certificate - if the deceased was divorced
- Birth certificates of other heirs - if there are multiple heirs
- Court decisions - if the inheritance was contested
Translation costs¶
| Where to get the translation | Price per document | Accepted in Germany? |
|---|---|---|
| Sworn translator in Germany | €45-70 per page | Yes, always |
| Notarized translation in Ukraine | 400-1,000 UAH per document | No, banks and courts won’t accept it |
| Online platform with sworn translators | €45-65 per page | Yes, if the translator is registered |
You can find a sworn translator for the Ukrainian-German pair in the justiz-dolmetscher.de database. Pick a translator in the same Bundesland as the bank or court - it speeds things up.
If you’ve got a lot of documents and time is tight - you can upload them to ChatsControl for a preliminary translation, then hand it to a sworn translator for certification. This cuts down time and reduces the final cost since the translator spends less time on the work.
Apostille: mandatory step before translation¶
Every Ukrainian document intended for a German court or bank needs an apostille. An apostille is a special stamp that confirms the document’s authenticity. Without it, the document won’t be recognized abroad.
The right order (don’t mix this up!)¶
- First - get the apostille on the original in Ukraine
- Then - order the translation of the document including the apostille
Why this order? The translator must translate the entire document, including the apostille text. If you do it backwards - translate first, apostille second - you’ll have to order the translation again.
Where to get an apostille in Ukraine¶
- Death certificate - Ministry of Justice of Ukraine or its regional office
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate - also Ministry of Justice
- Court decisions - Ministry of Justice
Apostille cost: from 670 UAH (as of 2026). Timelines:
| Type | Timeline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | up to 30 business days | - |
| Expedited | 10-20 business days | By request |
| Urgent | 2 business days | Not available for all documents |
| Super express | 2 hours | Limited document types |
Tip: submit apostille applications for all documents at once - saves time and trips.
Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung: the tax hurdle everyone forgets¶
Here’s the document that breaks the plans of 90% of non-resident heirs. Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung (tax clearance certificate) is confirmation from the Finanzamt that inheritance tax has been paid or doesn’t need to be paid.
Why does it matter? The bank is REQUIRED to obtain this certificate before paying out to a non-resident. If the bank pays without it, they’re personally liable for the unpaid tax (§20(6) ErbStG).
Inheritance tax: how much the state takes¶
| Relationship | Tax-free allowance (Freibetrag) | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | €500,000 | 7-30% |
| Children | €400,000 | 7-30% |
| Grandchildren | €200,000 | 7-30% |
| Siblings | €20,000 | 15-43% |
| Unrelated persons | €20,000 | 30-50% |
For non-residents, there’s a catch: the tax-free allowance is granted proportionally to the share of German assets in the total estate. If Germany only has a bank account worth €50,000 but there’s a €100,000 apartment in Ukraine, the child’s Freibetrag won’t be the full €400,000 - it’ll be a proportional share.
Timeline for receiving this certificate: 3-12 months after filing the tax return. Heirs have 3 months to file the return after the Finanzamt requests it.
How to find unknown bank accounts in Germany¶
Sometimes heirs don’t even know which banks the deceased had accounts with. Germany has three organizations that help track them down:
| Banking association | Contact | Banks covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bundesverband deutscher Banken (BdB) | nachforschung@bdb.de | Private banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ING) |
| Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (DSGV) | nachforschung@dsgv.de | All Sparkassen |
| BVR | Through local bank | Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken |
The search is free (some Sparkassen may charge a small research fee). You’ll need: a copy of the Erbschein or will with court opening note + a written request. If an account is found, the bank contacts the heir directly.
Step-by-step process: from death to money in your account¶
Here’s a realistic timeline for a Ukrainian heir closing a bank account in Germany:
Step 1: Gathering documents in Ukraine (1-3 months)¶
- Get the death certificate from the civil registry
- Collect birth certificates, marriage certificates to prove family ties
- Open the inheritance case with a notary in Ukraine
- Submit all documents for apostille
Step 2: Document translation (1-2 weeks)¶
- Find a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) in the justiz-dolmetscher.de database
- Order translations of ALL documents, including apostilles
- Verify the translator is registered for the Ukrainian-German language pair
Step 3: Erbschein application (2-6 months)¶
- Through the embassy, a notary, or a lawyer in Germany
- Make the eidesstattliche Versicherung (statutory declaration)
- The court reviews documents and issues the Erbschein
Step 4: Tax formalities (3-12 months)¶
- File the inheritance tax return (Erbschaftsteuererklärung)
- Wait for the assessment from Finanzamt
- Obtain the Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung
Step 5: Account release (2-4 weeks)¶
- Submit to the bank: Erbschein + Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung + passport
- Complete the identity verification (Identifikation) - a separate challenge for non-residents
- The bank transfers funds to your account
Total timeline: 6-18 months¶
This isn’t an exaggeration. International inheritance is slow, bureaucratic, and expensive. Here’s an approximate budget for a typical case (account with €50,000):
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apostille (2-3 documents) | ~€50 (2,000 UAH) |
| Sworn translations (3-5 documents) | €200-400 |
| Erbschein (court fee) | €330 |
| Notary or lawyer in Germany | €500-3,000 |
| Embassy fee (if applying through embassy) | up to €457 |
| Total | ~€1,000-4,500 |
Other EU countries: key differences¶
If the account isn’t in Germany, the process differs. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Germany | France | Italy | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key document | Erbschein | Acte de notoriété | Dichiarazione di successione | Certificate + NIE |
| Who handles it | Nachlassgericht | Notaire | Agenzia delle Entrate + court | Notario + court |
| Filing deadline | 3 months (upon request) | 6 months (12 if abroad) | 12 months | 6 months (+6 extension) |
| Joint account on death | Frozen completely | NOT frozen for surviving spouse | Frozen completely | Frozen (deceased’s share) |
| Total timeline | 6-18 months | 3-9 months | 3-12 months | 4-12 months |
| Translation type | Beglaubigte Übersetzung | Traduction assermentée | Traduzione giurata + asseverazione | Traducción jurada |
Pay attention to France: if the account was a joint account with a spouse, the surviving spouse’s share isn’t frozen - this can simplify things a lot.
Common mistakes that cost months and thousands of euros¶
Here’s what actually goes wrong - based on lawyers’ and heirs’ real experiences:
Mistake 1: Submitting a Ukrainian notarized translation instead of a German sworn one. The bank returns the entire package. Minus 2-4 weeks + cost of a new translation. Fix: order a beglaubigte Übersetzung from the start.
Mistake 2: Hoping the Ukrainian inheritance certificate will replace the Erbschein. It won’t. Not even with an apostille and perfect translation. Minus 2-6 months waiting before you realize there’s no way around the Erbschein.
Mistake 3: Forgetting about the Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung. You got the Erbschein, rush to the bank, and the bank says: “Where’s the tax clearance certificate?” And you start another round of correspondence with the Finanzamt.
Mistake 4: Missing the deadline to disclaim the inheritance. In Germany, heirs living abroad have 6 months (not 6 weeks like residents) to disclaim an inheritance. If the account has €5,000 but there are €50,000 in debts - you’re better off disclaiming. Miss the deadline = you’ve automatically accepted the inheritance, debts included.
Mistake 5: Not searching for all accounts. The deceased might have had accounts at multiple banks. If you close one and never learn about another - that money sits there forever. Send inquiries to all three banking associations.
Transmortale Vollmacht: a shortcut that saves months¶
If your relative is still alive and you want to avoid the bureaucratic nightmare after their death - talk about a transmortale Vollmacht (power of attorney that survives death). This is a power of attorney that doesn’t lose its validity when the grantor dies. With one, the authorized person can manage the account without an Erbschein.
Do this while you can - after death, it’s too late. The power of attorney should be notarized and ideally drafted in German legal form (not Ukrainian).
FAQ¶
How long does it take to close a deceased relative’s bank account in Germany?¶
6-18 months from death to receiving the funds. Main delays: gathering documents and apostilles (1-3 months), Erbschein (2-6 months), tax formalities (3-12 months). If there’s a transmortale Vollmacht or a notarized will, it can be faster.
Will Germany accept a translation done in Ukraine?¶
No. German banks and courts only accept beglaubigte Übersetzung - a translation by a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) registered in the justiz-dolmetscher.de database. A notarized translation from Ukraine has no legal force in Germany.
How much does the whole process cost?¶
Depends on the estate value and case complexity. For a typical account with €50,000, a realistic budget is €1,000-4,500 (apostilles, translations, Erbschein, lawyer). Larger estates or multiple heirs means higher costs accordingly.
What if I don’t know which bank held the account?¶
Submit search requests to three banking associations: Bundesverband deutscher Banken (private banks), DSGV (Sparkassen), and BVR (cooperative banks). You’ll need a copy of the Erbschein and a written request. The search is free.
Do I have to pay inheritance tax in Germany if I live in Ukraine?¶
Yes. If assets (the bank account) are located in Germany, limited tax liability (beschränkte Steuerpflicht) applies regardless of where the heir lives. But there’s a tax-free allowance: €400,000 for children, €500,000 for spouses. For non-residents, this allowance may be reduced proportionally.
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