Manage an estate with Klarna
We understand that if you are reading this, you have most likely lost a loved one. We extend our deepest condolences and want to do our best to ease this difficult time by reducing the administrative burden of settling an estate. We're here to help you with all practical matters related to Klarna — assets, balances, and any outstanding debts. You don't need to worry about open purchases, and of course, you can contact us even if you aren't a Klarna customer yourself.
You don't need to worry about open purchases
Please let us know as soon as possible so we can secure the accounts, pause payments, and guide you through the next steps. You don’t need to have all the details on hand. We’ll take care of the rest.
Klarna balance and savings accounts
If the deceased person held money in a Klarna balance or savings account, the funds will be frozen. Once the estate documents have been submitted and we’ve confirmed who represents the estate, we’ll transfer the money to the heir’s bank account.
Debts and instalments
Any outstanding Pay later purchases, instalment plans, and unpaid invoices belong to the estate. You are not personally liable for them. We’ll pause the payments immediately and settle them once the estate inventory has been completed.
Step 1
Notify us that someone has passed away
As soon as we’re notified that a customer has passed away, we’ll pause all ongoing Klarna payment obligations. We’ll put instalments on hold without any additional interest or fees, and pause invoice due dates. Everything will remain on hold until the estate has been administered. During this time, you won’t need to worry about payments or due dates.
Report the death using our web form. You don’t need to log in to the Klarna app or know any account details. The deceased person’s name and date of birth are enough. We’ll start the process right away, and your case manager will email you within three working days to explain the next steps. You can upload documents using the same form. Please make sure any photographed or scanned documents are complete, with all four corners visible and all text clearly legible. You’ll find more information about the documents we may need in the next section.
We pause payments and protect the account—immediately. As soon as we learn that a customer has passed away, you don’t need to worry about upcoming payments with Klarna. It happens automatically—you don’t need to call and request it.
Payments and debts are put on hold
Instalment plans, invoices, due dates and debts are put on hold until they are settled. No new interest or fees will be charged.
Existing balance is protected
Any funds held in a Klarna balance or savings account will be frozen. Withdrawals and transfers will not be possible. However, incoming payments will still be credited, and the funds will be paid out once the claim has been verified.
What we do automatically
We block bank cards, disable access to the app, cancel the membership, unsubscribe the person from marketing communications, and prevent new purchases.
Step 2
What we need from you
Once you’ve sent us the required documents, we’ll verify who is authorised to act and give you a clear overview of the account, including the balance, outstanding payments, and any services that have already been closed. All payment obligations will remain paused throughout the process. Your case manager will email you within three working days with all the information you need. You can upload the documents using the web form or email them to erbschaft@klarna.de. Please send clear photos or scans showing the entire document, with all four corners visible. This applies to identity documents and all other supporting documents. The documents we need depend on your role and whether there is a Klarna balance. You’ll find an overview of the required documents below.
First steps
To begin with, we need two documents: the death certificate, which you can request from the relevant registry office, and a legible copy of the ID of the person administering the estate. Your case manager will contact you if we need any other documents. If a name or identity does not match the information we hold, we may ask you to provide an additional document, such as a marriage certificate.
If funds are held with Klarna
If the deceased held funds in a Klarna balance, fixed-term deposit account, or savings account, we’ll need some additional documents. As these are banking products, the documents required will depend on your role. In all cases, we’ll need a certified copy of your ID. This can be certified at a bank, by a notary or lawyer, or at a German consulate. Please use our identification form, which must be stamped by the certifying body.
As a family member or heir:
• Proof of your right to inherit: for a balance under 20,000 €, a signed letter of indemnity confirming that you’re the sole heir and accept legal responsibility; for a balance of 20,000 € or more, a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or a will with the opening protocol and a certificate of legal effect, issued by the probate court (Nachlassgericht) or the local district court (Amtsgericht).
• An account closure form signed by all heirs, including the bank account details for the payout.
• If you’re acting on behalf of other heirs, the original power of attorney and a certified copy of your own ID.
If you’re the executor:
• The will, together with the probate opening record and confirmation of its legal validity.
• Your certificate of executorship.
• A completed payout instruction form.
As an estate custodian or administrator:
• The court order or certificate of appointment.
• A completed payout instruction form.
Death certificate
A death certificate confirms the date of death. You can request one from the relevant registry office. We’ll need a digital copy of the certificate to administer the estate.
Probate court (Nachlassgericht)
Once we receive your documents, we’ll review them within five working days. We’ll then confirm in writing that you’re authorised to act on behalf of the estate and send you an overview of the balance, any outstanding debts, and instalment payments, which will remain paused without incurring any additional costs, as well as any services that have already been closed.
Step 3
At a later stage
Once all the documents have been submitted and reviewed, we’ll pay out any balances and close all services. We’ll send you confirmation when there’s nothing else you need to do. Once we’ve verified the identities of all heirs and received the required documents, Klarna will transfer any remaining balances within seven working days. If the estate is being shared between several beneficiaries, the distribution must be documented and confirmed by all heirs.
Debts are settled from the estate
If the estate has assets, they’ll be used to settle the debts. If the estate is insolvent, we’ll write off any remaining debt. We won’t seek payment from individual heirs.
All services are being terminated
Cards, app access, subscriptions, and "Pay Later" purchases have already been suspended. We are now permanently closing the accounts and will confirm in writing that everything has been taken care of.
Once we have sent our final confirmation, you do not need to take any further action with Klarna regarding accounts belonging to the deceased.
Contact us
We're here for you. No login required.
Contact Klarna customer service
Phone: 0221 669 501 10
Mon – Fri 8 am – 10 pm, Sat – Sun 8 am – 5 pm, closed on public holidays
Not satisfied after contacting us? If you’ve already received a response from your case manager or customer service, you can request an impartial review by Klarna’s customer ombudsman.
Frequently asked questions
No. Any debts belong to the estate and aren’t your personal responsibility. Once we’ve been notified of the death, we’ll pause instalments and invoices without adding any new interest or fees, and extend the due dates while the estate is being administered. We won’t contact you as an heir to collect the debt.
No. As soon as we’re informed that a customer has passed away, we’ll pause all payment obligations with Klarna until the estate has been administered. Instalment plans will be paused, and no interest will accrue during this time. This lets you focus on administering the estate without worrying about overdue Klarna payments.
Any balances will be securely frozen. Once all the required documents have been submitted and reviewed, and we’ve verified the heirs’ identities and bank details, we’ll transfer the money to the lawful heirs, not to you personally, unless you’re authorised to receive it as part of the estate distribution.
We aim to complete the process within 30 days of receiving all the required documents.
New purchases are blocked immediately. Items that have already been shipped may be delivered; the cost will be handled by the estate. Payment obligations do not pass to you as an heir.
No. You should be able to complete the entire process without creating an account with us.
In most cases, we need a certified death certificate from the registry office. If you haven’t received it yet, perhaps because the death occurred abroad, please contact us by email. We’ll then check whether we can temporarily accept other official documents.
Tell us about the estate using whatever information you have. The person’s full name and date of birth are often enough. We’ll check our records and let you know if we need anything else.
We want you to feel confident that your case has been handled properly. Please contact your case manager first so we can help you as quickly as possible. If you’ve already received a response from us but are still dissatisfied, you can refer your case to the Klarna Customer Ombudsman for review. They’ll review your case impartially and contact you within 10 working days. The Customer Ombudsman reviews complaints that have previously been handled by Klarna Customer Service.