Bank limits · From NS&I’s own website, 3 November 2026
NS&I probate limit
NS&I may ask for probate once the money in the person’s name alone reaches £5,000, and can ask at any amount.
May ask for probate from £5,000, and can ask at any amount. Source: NS&I’s bereavement page, read on 3 November 2026. That’s lower than most: 14 of the 23 banks and building societies we list release up to £50,000.
Will NS&I ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at NS&I. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about NS&I and probate
How much can NS&I release without probate?
NS&I may ask for probate once the money in the person’s name alone reaches £5,000, and can ask at any amount. From NS&I’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint NS&I accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards NS&I’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the NS&I limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at NS&I. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the NS&I balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send NS&I 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
- Barclays £50,000
- 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
- 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 NS&I? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk