How do I access the funds from the Bitvavo account of a deceased family member? – Bitvavo Help Center

Summary

If you are the heir or notary of a deceased Bitvavo user, you can request a transfer of the remaining funds. This article explains the required documentation, the process, and what to expect.

Introduction

It is not possible to take over the Bitvavo account of a deceased user (see section 2.8 of the User Agreement). Instead, we can transfer the remaining balance either to to your bank account or your verified Bitvavo account. To do so, we require specific documents to confirm the inheritance.

Step 1: Contact us

Ask to talk to an employee and explain your situation. Our team will guide you through the process.

Death certificate
Declaration of inheritance (Verklaring van Erfrecht)
Photo of your valid passport or ID card (heir)
Photo of the deceased’s passport or ID card (if available)
Email address of the deceased used for Bitvavo
One payout option (choose one):
- Your IBAN (if you prefer a refund to your bank account), or
- The email address of your Bitvavo account (if you prefer the transfer to your Bitvavo account)

Note: If your documents are not in English, German, or Dutch, please provide a certified English translation before we can proceed.

Step 2: Verification and review

After we receive your email, we will:

Verify that the deceased held a Bitvavo account
Confirm the rightful heir based on the declaration of inheritance
Review all provided documents carefully

Once verified, we will transfer the balance of the deceased’s account to the option you selected:

Refund to your IBAN – we transfer the balance directly to your bank account.
Transfer to your Bitvavo account – we transfer the balance to your verified Bitvavo account (identity and IBAN must be verified).

Note: We can transfer funds to one heir only (one IBAN or one Bitvavo account). If there are multiple heirs, you will need to distribute the funds among yourselves after the transfer.

Step 3: Confirmation

After the transfer is completed, you will receive:

A balance overview based on the date of passing
A transaction history of the deceased’s Bitvavo account
Confirmation that the account has been closed

If a notary office contacts us

If a notary office handles the inheritance, we require the same documentation:

Death certificate
Declaration of inheritance confirming the notary’s authority
Photo of the deceased’s passport or ID card (if available)
Email address of the deceased used for Bitvavo
IBAN that the funds can be transferred to

Warning: If the declaration of inheritance does not explicitly appoint the notary who contacted us, we cannot share information or process the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I name a beneficiary on my Bitvavo account?

It is not possible to name a beneficiary in advance on a Bitvavo account.

How are the funds distributed if there are multiple heirs?

We can transfer the balance to one heir only (one IBAN or one Bitvavo account). If there are multiple heirs, you will need to distribute the funds among yourselves after the transfer.

When will I know the balance of the deceased person’s account?

You will receive the balance overview and transaction history once we have verified the documents and processed the request. The balance overview reflects the account on the date of passing, as this is needed for filing taxes. The actual amount of euros you receive will depend on the value of the funds on the day we transfer them to you.

What if I do not want or cannot create a Bitvavo account?

You can request a direct refund to your IBAN instead. If the deceased’s bank account is closed, the funds can be transferred to the heir’s bank account or to an executor, trustee, or notary handling the inheritance.