Bank limits · From Santander’s own website, 3 November 2026
Santander probate limit
Santander 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: Santander’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 Santander ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at Santander. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about Santander and probate
How much can Santander release without probate?
Santander 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 Santander’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint Santander accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards Santander’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the Santander limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at Santander. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the Santander balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send Santander 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
- NS&I £5,000
- Principality Building Society £40,000
- Royal Bank of Scotland £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 Santander? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk