Find Your Unclaimed Money in Germany

Unclaimed Money in Germany

Germany is unique among major European economies: it has no central government database for unclaimed money. Unlike France's Ciclade or the UK's MyLostAccount, German banks maintain their own records of dormant accounts — and there is no official portal where you can search them all at once.

Despite this, Germany's three main banking associations offer coordinated search services. BaFin (Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) estimates that over 1.5 million accounts holding more than €15 billion sit dormant across the German banking system. On top of that, approximately €6.24 billion worth of Deutsche Mark banknotes and coins remain unexchanged — and can still be converted to euros at any Bundesbank branch, with no expiry date.

What You Can Search For

How to Find a Dormant Account in Germany

Because Germany has no single searchable portal, you need to go through the relevant banking association. The process depends on what type of bank held the account:

1. Sparkasse (Public Savings Banks): Write to the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV) at info@dsgv.de — ask about the Kontensuchdienst (account search service). Include your full name (and the deceased's name and last German address if claiming as heir), a copy of your ID, and — for estate claims — a copy of the Erbschein (certificate of inheritance).
2. Volksbank & Raiffeisenbank (Cooperative Banks): These are a separate banking group from the Sparkasse. Contact the National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR — Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken) at bvr.de, or write directly to the relevant local Volksbank or Raiffeisenbank branch.
3. Private Banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ING, etc.): Write to the Federal Association of German Banks (Bundesverband deutscher Banken, BdB) at bankenverband@bdb.de. They will initiate a nationwide investigation across all member institutions.
4. If you don't know the bank type: Submit to all three associations simultaneously. The cost is nothing — all searches are free.
5. Deutsche Marks: Take banknotes and coins to any Bundesbank branch, or post them to: Deutsche Bundesbank, Filiale Mainz, 55021 Mainz. Include a covering letter with your bank account details (IBAN) for the euro transfer. Free of charge.

What Is an Erbschein and Do You Need One?

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased relative, German banks almost always require an Erbschein — a certificate of inheritance issued by the local probate court (Nachlassgericht at the Amtsgericht). This document officially proves you are the legal heir. Without it, most banks will not disclose account information or release funds.

To obtain an Erbschein, apply at the Amtsgericht (district court) where the deceased had their last registered address (Wohnsitz). If a notarised will exists and is registered with the German Central Registry of Wills (Zentrales Testamentsregister), the probate process is usually faster. A notary (Notar) can assist if you are claiming from outside Germany.

A Proposed Central Registry

In 2023, the German Parliament introduced a draft bill to create a national unclaimed assets registry — which would require banks to report dormant accounts to a government-managed database, making them searchable online. As of 2026, this legislation is still under discussion. A proposed EU-wide directive on dormant assets (in preparation at the European Commission level) may accelerate Germany's timeline. Until a central registry exists, the banking association route is the only option.