Bankswitching, Belgium's interbank mobility service, received 111,745 requests in 2025. Set against the country's 20 million or so current accounts, that is one account in three hundred. The figures, the service's blind spots and the debate on account number portability.
A Belgian bank may refuse you an ordinary account, but not the basic banking service: an answer within ten working days and a maximum of €20.34 a year since 1 January 2026. Conditions, prices at six banks and remedies, checked on 2 October 2026.
After a death, the bank blocks the accounts of the deceased and those of the surviving spouse. Unblocking takes a free certificate of inheritance, issued in about four weeks. Estate file fees of 50 to 151.25 € per bank, checked on 29 September 2026.
The interbank mobility service is free and the switch happens on the tenth banking business day at the earliest. A form signed on 18 September 2026 takes effect on 2 October 2026. The six steps, the real deadlines and the two tasks that stay on your plate.
