The most common and costly mistake: families living for months on the single-person base protection because nobody mentioned the certificate. The difference is hundreds of euros monthly — and the certificate recovers nothing retroactively. It belongs in the first week after conversion.
P-Konto: Raising the Protected Amount
The base allowance covers a single person. Children, a dependent spouse, child benefit and social payments raise the protection — but only with a certificate.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
The costliest mistake: families living for months on single-person protection because nobody mentioned the certificate. The difference is hundreds a month, and it recovers nothing retroactively. Get it in week one.
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Lea recommends:
Child benefit and most social payments are protected ON TOP of the base — again only after the certificate reaches the bank. For special cases (alimony, high medical costs) the enforcement court sets an individual allowance above any standard.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The bank refuses the certificate and holds the money? ▾
It gets checking time for doubtful papers but must accept standard employer or agency forms immediately. A written complaint mentioning BaFin works wonders.
Where do I get the certificate fastest? ▾
Employees from their employer, benefit recipients from the Jobcenter or Familienkasse. Otherwise free debt counselling issues them routinely, often same-day.
What happens to money above the Freibetrag? ▾
The amount above the protected sum goes to the creditor. You can maximise protection with certificates (children, maintenance) and the savings carry-over; for special needs the enforcement court sets a higher individual Freibetrag.