Bank repossession in 2026: here's how to do it wisely

Bank garnishment is one of the most powerful tools a bailiff can use to collect your debt. It raids the debtor and immediately freezes the money in the account. But how exactly does this work in 2026?

The rules have changed in recent years. The protection of the debtor via the attachment-free amount has been tightened. At the same time, digital options for you as a creditor have improved considerably.

In this article you will read:

• What exactly bank repossession is legally
• What is and is not covered by the attachment
• What amounts in 2026 are protected
• How you bank seizures effectively and wisely

Do you already know that you want to take action? Then you can:

• Immediately prepare a bank attachment
• Get advice from our lawyers

In legal terms, bank garnishment is called a garnishment. You do not file a garnishment with the debtor himself, but with a third party: the bank.

The bailiff hands a garnishment notice to the bank. From that moment, the bank freezes the money the debtor has in the account at that time.

The photo opportunity

Bank attachment is a snapshot in time. The bailiff seizes the balance in the account at the exact time of the seizure.

• Anything in the account before the attachment is covered by the attachment
• Money coming in later is basically outside of this attachment

This is why the timing of a bank attachment is so important. A well-timed attachment can make the difference between an empty attachment and a full payment. Credifin helps you coordinate that timing with the bailiff.

With individuals, strict social rules apply. The law aims to prevent a person from falling below the poverty line because of a bank foreclosure.

As of January 1 2026, the attachment-free amounts have been raised again. Thus, the protection better matches the higher cost of living.

What does the attachment cover?

• Positive balance: All money in checking account and savings account above the attachment-free amount
• Credit card balances: Positive balances on linked credit card accounts.
• Joint accounts: In the case of an and/or account, the bailiff may seize the entire balance, even if the debt belongs to only one account holder

With a joint account, the other account holder must later prove what portion of the money is his or her own to get it released.

What is not covered by the attachment?

• Future deposits: Money coming in after the attachment is made
• Redline: If the account is at zero or in the minus, there is nothing to collect
• Certain benefits: Some benefits, such as child support, are extra protected, if identifiable on the account

Do you doubt whether a certain amount can be subject to a seizure? Then our lawyers will be happy to think with you.

In a bank attachment on a private account, the bank must always release a basic amount. This is the attachment-free foot. The bailiff calculates this foot based on the family situation.

For 2026, the following amounts are guidelines:

These amounts are indicative and based on the central government's indexation for 2026.

Is the account balance less than the attachment free amount? Then the attachment usually has no effect. You are then dealing with an empty attachment. Even in that case, it is a good idea to consider whether another form of garnishment, such as wage garnishment, is more likely to succeed.

For entrepreneurs, the rules are stricter than for individuals. Business accounts of legal entities, such as a bv or nv, are not subject to an attachment free amount in 2026.

If you seize a company's business account, the entire balance can be frozen up to the amount of the claim plus expenses.

The impact for the entrepreneur

A bank attachment on a business account can bring business operations to an immediate halt:

• Salaries can no longer be paid
• Suppliers remain unpaid
• Direct debits are reversed

Precisely because the consequences are so great, an announced bank attachment often already acts as solid pressure to reach a settlement.

Exception for self-employed and sole proprietors

With a sole proprietorship, there is legally no separation between private and business assets. A sole proprietor's business account is therefore often treated as a private account.

In that case, the entrepreneur in 2026 does have a right to the attachment-free foot, if that balance is needed for basic expenses in daily life. Here, too, a good estimate in advance is important. Together we look at what is sensible in your situation.

In 22026, communication between bailiffs and banks is completely digital. Whereas the bailiff used to have to visit the bank branch, everything now goes through secure links.

What does this mean for you as a creditor?

• More speed: A bank seizure can be active within minutes
• Greater insight: Debt collectors can find out more quickly which banks someone has accounts with
• More focus: less is seized on good luck

Official fees for writs of execution have increased in 2026. But because of these digital steps, a carefully timed bench warrant is often more effective than ever.

That does require a good strategy. You don't want to incur unnecessary costs for a batter that yields little.

Bank repossession is a powerful but costly remedy. You pay not only bailiff fees, but often court fees and fees for the bank's declaration.

That's why Credifin never deploys bank repossessions lightly. We first examine together whether the remedy suits your situation and the debtor's position.

This is how we tackle it together

• Recourse research: We first examine whether there is enough recourse. For example, if the debtor is primarily on a minimum income, wage garnishment may be smarter than bank garnishment
• Timing: We tailor the attachment to times when the balance is most likely to occur, such as around salary payments or VAT refunds
• Use as leverage: Sometimes a clear announcement of a possible bank repossession after a judgment is enough to reach a settlement

This way, you reduce your risk and increase your chances of actually getting your claim paid.