How to Access Bank Funds After a Death Without Probate

By establishing a bank beneficiary designation, family members can quickly access funds from a deceased relative’s account, bypassing lengthy inheritance proceedings and accessing up to 190,000 PLN.

Fast access to funds via bank designation

Upon an account holder’s death, access to their bank funds is typically restricted, as these assets become part of the estate. Standard procedure requires full probate before heirs can withdraw the money, a process that can leave even joint account holders facing significant hurdles.

To avoid this, account holders can issue a formal bank instruction for the event of their death. This allows designated family members to receive specific funds immediately, without waiting for the conclusion of legal inheritance proceedings.

Eligibility and scope of the directive

This instruction applies to checking accounts, savings accounts, and term deposits. The account holder has full control over who receives the funds and in what amount.

However, the option is strictly limited to immediate family: spouses, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings. These beneficiaries do not inherit the account or its associated obligations; they simply gain the right to withdraw the designated sum for immediate needs like funeral expenses.

Statutory payment limits

The law caps the total amount that can be paid out via this method. The sum cannot exceed twenty times the average monthly salary in the enterprise sector, excluding profit-based bonuses.

As of 2026, this limit is just over 190,000 PLN. For many families, this serves as a crucial financial cushion during the difficult weeks following a loved one’s passing.

Modifying or cancelling instructions

An account holder may change their beneficiaries, adjust the payout amounts, or revoke the instruction entirely at any time by filing a statement with the bank. The instruction also expires automatically if the account is closed or emptied.

If no such directive is in place at the time of death, the remaining funds automatically become part of the estate, requiring a formal inheritance process to access.