Step 1: report the death
Call the bereavement desk at ING via the number listed on ing.nl, or report it in My ING if you are an authorised user. Have the death certificate ready.
ING then blocks all accounts in the deceased's name. A joint and/or account with a partner usually stays accessible to the partner, though large transactions are often briefly frozen until the inheritance is clarified.
Step 2: receive the information letter
Within 10 to 15 business days ING sends an information letter to the deceased's address, containing:
- the balance of all accounts on the date of death (needed for the inheritance tax filing);
- a list of payments that were blocked;
- the procedure to release the account.
Intercept this letter early, especially if the home is being cleared.
Step 3: provide the right documents
For balances above a few thousand euros, ING asks for:
- a certificate of inheritance or a certificate of executorship;
- a basisregistratie personen extract for the deceased;
- ID for each heir;
- a signed instruction by the heirs about what should happen with the account.
For smaller balances, ING often accepts a self-declaration signed by all heirs together with a death certificate.
Step 4: choose what happens to the account
You can:
- have the balance paid out to a proxy heir's account;
- divide the balance between heirs by share;
- have an account transferred to the partner's name if the partner inherits everything.
ING typically processes the instruction within 5 business days of receiving the documents.
Recurring direct debits
Direct debits for insurance, subscriptions and municipal levies are blocked. Make a list and contact each provider to stop or transfer them.
Tip: ask for the tax certificate
Explicitly ask ING for the fiscaal attest van saldi (tax certificate of balances) on the date of death. You will need it for the inheritance tax filing. Without it, you must write back and lose extra weeks.