How much money do you have – without knowing it?

While you check your banking app regularly, you may also have a bank account you haven't thought about for years. Now the government intends to reduce the time frame for claiming any dormant assets – from thirty years to five.

1. What is a dormant account?

An account is considered dormant if it shows no activity for at least five years. This means that there are no transactions (such as deposits, withdrawals or transfers) and no 'contact' between you and the bank during this five-year period. You may interpret the term 'contact' in the broadest sense, as scanning your new identity card at the bank or logging in to your banking platform counts as contact.

If you hold several accounts with the same bank, all your accounts will remain active as long as you have either had contact for one of your accounts or made a transaction on any of your accounts at least once in the last five years.

2. Which types of accounts can become dormant?

• Current and savings accounts
• Custody and trading accounts
• Life insurance policies for which you are entitled to a payout. Such policies become dormant if the beneficiary does not respond within four months after the insurer has been informed of the payment.
• Bank safe deposit boxes when the rent has not been paid for at least five years and the bank has terminated the lease.

3. How much is there in dormant assets in Belgium?

At the end of November 2025, €815 million was held in dormant assets at the Deposit and Consignment Office (DCK). This amount is spread over almost 675,000 accounts and contracts, corresponding to an average of €1,200 per file (source).

The amount is only going up each year: in 2024, an additional €62 million was added, and since the start of 2025, dormant assets have grown by close to €58 million. More dormant assets are being added than claimed (source).

4. What does the government want to change now?

The current law gives you thirty years to request dormant assets. After that, the money becomes the property of the State. Minister of Finance Jan Jambon aims to tighten this limitation period – moving to five years for dormant bank accounts and ten years for 'disappeared' beneficiaries (in the case of life insurance, for example). He estimates this will bring in almost half a billion euros by 2026.

In addition, a proposal has been put forward to halt the accrual of interest on dormant assets (currently 2% gross) and to automatically transfer smaller amounts below €250 to the Treasury, with no limitation period. Today, the threshold still stands at €60.

5. How can I check whether I have dormant assets?

You have two options:

Option 1: Online via MyMinfin (the easiest option)

• Go to www.myminfin.be.
• Click Log in
• Log in with your eID (using a card reader), the itsme app or another method.
• In the Mijn betalingen en teruggaven [My payments and refunds] column, select the option Mijn slapende tegoeden raadplegen [View my dormant assets].
• Click on slapende tegoeden op eigen naam opzoeken [Search dormant assets in your own name].
• If you find dormant assets in your name, you can request repayment straight away.

Option 2: By email

Send a completed application form together with a copy of your identity card to info.cdcdck@minfin.fed.be.

6. How can I recover my dormant assets?

You can request the recovery of any dormant assets once you learn you have them through MyMinfin by clicking on the Een aanvraag tot opzoeking enteruggave van mijn slapende tegoeden indienen [Submit a request to search for and return my dormant assets] button.

The government service aims to transfer the funds to your account within thirty days, provided that your file is complete. The recovery of assets is entirely free of charge, meaning there are no administrative fees involved.

7. Can I also request dormant accounts belonging to a deceased family member?

Yes, you can. You can search by the name of a third party using MyMinfin:

• Go to www.myminfin.be.
• Click Log in
• Log in with your eID (using a card reader), the itsme app or another method.
• In the Mijn betalingen en teruggaven [My payments and refunds] column, select the option Mijn slapende tegoeden raadplegen [View my dormant assets].
• Click on slapende tegoeden op naam van een derde opzoeken [Search for dormant assets in the name of a third party].

You must provide documentation with your application, such as a certificate or deed of inheritance, a court order and/or a power of attorney if you are acting on behalf of all the heirs.

8. How can I prevent my accounts from becoming dormant?

1. Log in

Simply logging in to your online banking platform is enough to keep an account active. You do not need to make any transactions.

2. Keep your contact details up to date

• Always inform your banks and insurers of a change of address.
• Update your email address and phone number if necessary.
• Be sure to check your details after a move.

3. Draw up an overview of all your accounts

• Note down all accounts, banks and policy numbers.
• Keep the overview in a safe place.
• Share this information with trusted family members or include it in your will.

4. Limit the number of accounts

Consider limiting the number of banking relationships. The more accounts you hold with different banks, the greater the chance you could lose track of one.

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