Bank limits · From Barclays’s own website, 3 November 2026
Barclays probate limit
Barclays releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration).
Across all their sole accounts. Source: Barclays’s bereavement page, read on 3 November 2026. That’s the most common limit: 14 of the 23 banks and building societies we list release up to £50,000.
Will Barclays ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at Barclays. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about Barclays and probate
How much can Barclays release without probate?
Barclays releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration). From Barclays’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint Barclays accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards Barclays’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the Barclays limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at Barclays. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the Barclays balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send Barclays a copy of the grant. One grant works at every bank, so if any one bank needs it, it covers the rest too.
Other banks’ limits
- Bank of Scotland no published limit
- Chase no published limit
- Co-operative Bank £50,000
- Coventry Building Society £50,000
- First Direct £50,000
- Halifax no published limit
- HSBC UK £50,000
- Leeds Building Society £50,000
- Lloyds Bank £50,000
- Metro Bank £35,000
- Monzo £25,000
- Nationwide £50,000
- NatWest £50,000
- NS&I £5,000
- Principality Building Society £40,000
- Royal Bank of Scotland £50,000
- Santander £50,000
- Skipton Building Society £50,000
- Starling £30,000
- TSB no published limit
- Virgin Money £50,000
- Yorkshire Building Society £50,000
Not sure you need probate at all? Use the 3-question checker. Spotted a change at Barclays? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk