Elusive bank balance (SBI)

Verified 01 April 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

When your bank account is subject to seizure, the bank leaves a minimum amount on your account. This is called the elusive bank balance (SBI). At least leaving the SBI on your account should allow you to make your food purchases. The amount of the SBI shall be €646.52, regardless of your family situation (e.g. presence or absence of dependent children). We present you with the information you need to know.

The rules are different depending on whether the amount on your bank account on the day of entry:

Less than €646.52

If on the day of the seizure, there is less than €646.52 or just about €646.52 on the bank account, then the account is left as is.

Example :

If there is €200 on the bank account before the seizure, then the bank leaves these €200 on the account. No money is charged to the account.

More than €646.52

Your bank account may have received elusive sums (minimum social benefits, family benefits, maintenance received...).

The relationship between these sums and the SBI at the time of seizure depends in particular on the amount of these sums.

We give you examples of how your bank account received uncollectible amounts:

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Bank account with elusive sums

Elusive amounts less than €646.52

Example :

If the day of entry:

  • Bank account has €1,000, of which €200 of elusive sums
  • The entry to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €646.52

Then, after the seizure:

  • It is left on the account the amount of the SBI, either €646.52 (as this amount is greater than the amount of uncollectible amounts)
  • The seizure made is €1,000 -  €646.52  =  €353.48
Elusive sums over €646.52

Example :

If the day of entry:

  • Bank account has €1,000, of which €700 of elusive sums
  • The entry to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €646.52

Then, after the seizure:

  • The amount of the unseizable amounts is left in the account, i.e. €700 (as this amount is higher than the SBI)
  • The seizure made is €1,000 - €700 =   €300

Other case

Example :

If the day of entry:

  • Bank account has €1,000. There is no elusive sum involved
  • The entry to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €646.52

Then, after the seizure:

  • It is left on the account the amount of the SBI, either €646.52
  • The seizure made is €1,000 -  €646.52  =  €353.48

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