Pfändungsbeschluss — your wages or bank account are being seized

What is a Pfändungsbeschluss?

A Pfändungsbeschluss is a formal garnishment order issued by the court (usually via the Gerichtsvollzieher) based on a Vollstreckungstitel. It instructs a third party — typically your employer (Lohnpfändung) or your bank (Kontopfändung) — to pay part of your income or account balance to the creditor.

You may receive the order directly, or your employer/HR or bank may contact you first. It is not optional for them: once served, they must comply, but they must also apply legal exemption amounts.

How you got here

Enforcement escalation usually looks like this:

1. Court title from Vollstreckungsbescheid (or another enforceable judgment)
2. Gerichtsvollzieher starts enforcement
3. Pfändungsbeschluss sent to employer or bank (you are here)
4. Money is transferred to the creditor until the debt is satisfied

If you never received earlier court letters, get advice immediately — but still protect your account and respond to the garnishment notice.

Lohnpfändung vs Kontopfändung

• Lohnpfändung (wage garnishment) — the order goes to your employer. A portion of each paycheck is withheld and sent to the creditor. A protected minimum remains with you.
• Kontopfändung (account seizure) — the order goes to your bank. The bank freezes and transfers funds above the protected amount. This can block direct debits and card payments if you do nothing.

Both can run in parallel for the same debt. The Pfändungsbeschluss states which type applies and cites the Aktenzeichen and creditor.

Protected amounts (unpfändbar)

German law guarantees that you keep enough to live on. For wages, only income above the statutory pfändungsfreier Betrag (garnishment-free amount) can be taken — the exact figure depends on your net income and whether you have dependents (Freigrenze / Unterhaltsfreigrenze).

For bank accounts, a monthly exempt amount applies; the rest can be seized unless you use a P-Konto. Social benefits (e.g. Bürgergeld, Wohngeld) are often fully protected when correctly classified — but mixing them with other income in one account can complicate things.

Employers and banks use official tables (Pfändungstabellen) — you do not need to calculate this yourself, but you should verify they applied exemptions.

P-Konto — set it up now

A P-Konto (Pfändungsschutzkonto) is a normal current account flagged as protected. Each calendar month, an exempt amount (currently around €1,410 for a single adult without dependents, higher with children) is shielded from Kontopfändung.

How to convert: Ask your bank to convert your Girokonto to a P-Konto — often possible online or in branch, sometimes same-day. You may need to declare dependents. Do this before or immediately when you learn of Kontopfändung.

Incoming salary on a P-Konto is still subject to Lohnpfändung rules if your employer receives a separate wage garnishment order — the P-Konto mainly protects the exempt balance in the account.

What your employer or bank will do

Employer: HR/payroll calculates the garnishable portion, withholds it each month, and pays the creditor. They may ask you for dependency information. Termination solely because of garnishment is restricted by law (§ 626a BGB context — special protection against dismissal linked to Pfändung).

Bank: Blocks transfers above the exempt sum (or above P-Konto protection). May charge fees. Must inform you that a Pfändung is active. Joint accounts can affect non-debtor account holders — get advice if the account is shared.

Immediate steps

1. Confirm the order is real. Check Amtsgericht letterhead, Aktenzeichen, and creditor details.

2. Convert to P-Konto if Kontopfändung is involved or your account is at risk.

3. Tell your employer if you have dependents — this can raise the protected wage amount.

4. Contact Schuldnerberatung the same day for a free review of amounts and next steps.

5. Do not ignore it. Garnishment continues until the debt is paid or legally stopped.

Pay vs dispute the underlying debt

Paying the enforced amount (or negotiating a plan with the creditor/bailiff) stops ongoing garnishment once satisfied. Use the Aktenzeichen on every payment.

Disputing the Pfändungsbeschluss itself is limited — you generally challenge the underlying title (Vollstreckungswiderspruch, Einspruch too late, etc.) or calculation errors. If the debt was already paid or is verjährt, you need proof and often a lawyer. Schuldnerberatung can help you understand whether a challenge is realistic.

What to do — step by step

Step 1: Read the Pfändungsbeschluss and any employer/bank letter. Note amounts, Aktenzeichen, and creditor.

Step 2: Open or convert to P-Konto if any bank seizure is mentioned or your salary is paid into an unprotected account.

Step 3: Submit dependency proof to employer or bailiff if you support children or a spouse.

Step 4: Check withheld amounts against Pfändungstabellen or with Schuldnerberatung.

Step 5: Address the root debt — payment plan, title challenge, or Insolvenz advice if you cannot recover financially.

Step 6: Keep all payslips and bank statements showing garnishment deductions.

When to get help

• Garnishment leaves you below a livable income — calculation may be wrong.
• Joint bank account with a partner who is not the debtor.
• You never received Mahnbescheid or Vollstreckungsbescheid and dispute the whole claim.
• Multiple Pfändungen from different creditors — priority rules apply.
• You need Insolvenz (personal bankruptcy) to get a fresh start.

Beratungshilfe at the Amtsgericht can fund legal advice if you qualify by income.

Key terms glossary

Still not sure what your letter wants?

Upload your Pfändungsbeschluss and get:

• ✓ Plain English breakdown of garnishment type, amount, and Aktenzeichen
• ✓ Whether Lohnpfändung or Kontopfändung applies
• ✓ P-Konto urgency check
• ✓ Draft reply or employer/bank letter in German

Open Briefed — explain my letter

Last updated: June 2026