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In Germany, a "Pfändung" is a legal procedure where a debtor's bank account is frozen and funds are confiscated to settle unpaid debts. This process ensures creditors can recover owed amounts through legal means.

Seizures in Germany are governed by the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – the German Code of Civil Procedure – which outlines the account seizure process, debtor protections, and rights of enforcement.

Seizure orders are typically served to banks by judicial officers or authorised authorities. Orders can be initiated by:

• Tax authorities: the tax office can enforce tax debts directly, often without a court order
• Courts: judicial bodies can authorise seizures as part of enforcement proceedings
• Private creditors: after obtaining a court judgment, private creditors can request enforcement through judicial officers

If you’re subject to a full seizure (Pfändung): funds can only be released after we receive a formal release notice directly from the authority that issued the order — the local tax office, a judicial officer, or a court. Their contact details are in our notification email.

A preliminary attachment (Vorpfändung) or temporary payment ban is legally limited in duration, normally up to 30 days. If the authority doesn’t follow up with a full garnishment order within that period, the restriction is lifted automatically. You don’t need to do anything.

Important: Your account itself is never closed during a seizure. Only certain restrictions are placed on it. Once all restrictions are lifted, your account works as normal again.

If your account is subject to a seizure and you receive income - such as a salary, pension, or social benefits, into this account, a portion of your balance can remain available to you each month. This is a legally protected amount designed to ensure you can still cover essential living expenses.

Important: This protection is not automatic — you must request that your account be converted into a Pfändungsschutzkonto (P-Konto). If your account is not a P-Konto, your balance will not be protected against seizure. Request the conversion free of charge via the in-app chat at any time.

Once your account is a P-Konto, the protected amount can vary depending on your personal circumstances, such as the number of dependents. If you apply within 30 days of receiving the seizure notice, the protection also applies retroactively to the beginning of that month.