🛡️ Protected account (P-Konto)
In brief
A protected account (Pfändungsschutzkonto, P-Konto) is a normal current account with built-in basic protection: up to a monthly basic allowance set by law, your balance is automatically protected from an account attachment, without you having to go to the enforcement court. Anyone can demand at any time that their bank convert an existing current account into a P-Konto. For higher allowances, for example for maintenance obligations to children, a certificate is needed.
Step by step
- Apply for a P-Konto in good timeAsk your bank to convert your existing current account into a P-Konto before an attachment arrives – everyone has a legal right to this.
- Keep only one P-KontoOnly a single account per person may be kept as a P-Konto; a second P-Konto at another bank is inadmissible.
- Have increased amounts certifiedThe basic allowance can be increased for maintenance obligations, child benefit or certain social benefits – a corresponding certificate is issued by debt counselling, the Familienkasse, the social benefit provider or a notary.
- React immediately if there are problemsIf too much is blocked despite the P-Konto, contact the bank or the enforcement court without delay to have the error corrected.
Deadlines
- The basic protection applies to only one P-Konto per person – if you try to obtain additional protection through several accounts, you risk that none of them is properly protected.
- Without a certificate you receive only the basic allowance; maintenance obligations for children or certain one-off social benefits (e.g. back payments) increase the protection only if they are proven.
- A balance exceeding the allowance at the end of the month is in principle not automatically carried over to the following month – certain saved amounts can, however, be protected under narrow conditions; if in doubt, ask debt counselling.
- A P-Konto does not prevent an attachment from the outset, but only ensures that the allowance stays protected – amounts already attached above the allowance may have to be reclaimed separately.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Legal basis and basic allowance
Under § 850k ZPO, every natural person can demand that their credit institution keep a payment account held there as a protected account. The basic allowance results from § 850c ZPO and is adjusted annually on 1 July by rounding the raw amount up to the next full €10 (§ 899 Abs. 1 ZPO). For the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, a basic allowance of €1,590 per month applies nationwide (previously, until 30 June 2026: €1,560).
Increased amounts
On proof, the basic allowance increases for statutory maintenance obligations and on receipt of certain social benefits and one-off payments (§ 850k Abs. 2, Abs. 4 ZPO). The necessary certificate can be issued, in addition to debt counselling services, by Familienkassen, social benefit providers, tax advisers and notaries.
Connection with other procedures
A P-Konto is particularly relevant in connection with ongoing personal insolvency or out-of-court debt settlement, to secure the subsistence minimum during the proceedings, and likewise if an account attachment threatens without insolvency proceedings being under way.
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