Elusive Bank Balance (SBI)

Verified 01 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

When your bank account is seized, the bank leaves a minimum amount in your account. That's what we call the Elusive bank balance (SBI). Leaving at least the SBI on your account should allow you to make your food purchases. The amount of the SBI shall be €651.69, regardless of your family situation (e.g. whether you have dependent children). We present you the information to know.

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

Less than €651.69

If on the day of the seizure, there is less than €651.69 or just €651.69 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 taken from the account.

Over 651,69 €

Your bank account may have received elusive sums (social minima, family benefits, alimony received...).

The articulation between these sums and the SBI during the seizure depends in particular on the amount of these sums.

Here are some examples of how your bank account received elusive or non-elusive amounts:

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Bank account with elusive amounts

Elusive amounts less than €651.69

Example :

If on the day of entry:

  • The bank account has €1,000, of which €200 of elusive sums
  • The seizure to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €651.69

So, after the seizure:

  • The amount of the SBI is left on the account, i.e €651.69 (because this amount is greater than the amount of the elusive amounts)
  • The seizure made is of €1,000 -  €651.69  =  €348.31
Elusive sums over €651.69

Example :

If on the day of entry:

  • The bank account has €1,000, of which €700 of elusive sums
  • The seizure to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €651.69

So, after the seizure:

  • The amount of the elusive amounts is left on the account, i.e. €700 (because this amount is greater than the SBI)
  • The seizure made is of €1,000 - €700 =   €300

Other case

Example :

If on the day of entry:

  • The bank account has €1,000. There is no elusive amount
  • The seizure to be made is €500
  • The SBI is €651.69

So, after the seizure:

  • The amount of the SBI is left on the account, i.e €651.69
  • The seizure made is of €1,000 -  €651.69  =  €348.31

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