Digital legacy
How to manage online accounts, social media profiles, email, cloud storage and other digital assets after someone passes away.
Digital lives persist
In today's world, much of a person's life exists online. Managing digital accounts after a death is increasingly important and can be both emotionally and practically challenging.
Social media accounts
Facebook / Meta
Memorialize: The account can be converted to a memorial page, preserving posts and photos for friends and family.
Delete: You can request permanent deletion of the account.
Submit a special request with proof of death and proof of your authority (death certificate, power of attorney, or proof of family relationship).
Memorialize: Similar to Facebook, the account can be memorialized.
Delete: Immediate family can request deletion.
Use Instagram's memorial request form.
X (formerly Twitter)
Family members or authorized representatives can request account deactivation by contacting X support. You will need to provide a death certificate and proof of identity.
LinkedIn can memorialize or remove profiles of deceased members. Submit a request through their help center with the death certificate.
Email and cloud services
Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos)
Google has an Inactive Account Manager and a process for requesting access to a deceased person's account. You may need a court order, death certificate, and proof of authority.
Microsoft (Outlook, OneDrive)
Microsoft allows next of kin to request account closure or limited data access. Contact Microsoft Support with the death certificate and proof of relationship.
Apple (iCloud, Apple ID)
Apple's Digital Legacy program allows designated contacts to access data. Without prior setup, a court order may be required. Contact Apple Support with the death certificate.
Other email providers
Contact each provider individually. Most require a death certificate and proof of your authority to act on behalf of the deceased.
Financial and shopping accounts
PayPal, Revolut, online banking
Contact each provider with the death certificate. Any funds will need to be transferred through the inheritance process. Do not attempt to access accounts using the deceased's credentials.
Online subscriptions
Cancel recurring payments: Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, news subscriptions, app store subscriptions, gaming platforms, etc. Check credit card statements for recurring charges.
Practical tips
What you can do now
- Make a list of all known online accounts (check the browser's saved passwords, email inbox, and phone apps)
- Check the deceased's email for subscription confirmation messages
- Review credit card and bank statements for recurring online payments
- Do not delete accounts hastily. Some may contain important data, photos, or documents
- Screenshot or save any important messages, photos, or documents before closing accounts
Fintech and digital banking accounts
Digital banks and fintech services have specific procedures for accounts of deceased persons. As they have no physical branches, the entire process is handled remotely.
Revolut
Revolut has no physical presence in Portugal, which can complicate the process:
- Contact support via email for deceased account holders
- Provide: death certificate, requester's ID, proof of family relationship
- Revolut may freeze the account and, after verification, transfer the balance to heirs
- Physical and virtual cards are automatically deactivated
- The habilitacao de herdeiros may need to be translated into English
N26
N26 operates as a licensed bank in Germany:
- Contact support via email with death documentation
- The process follows German law, but accepts Portuguese certificates
- Documents may need to be apostilled for international recognition
- The balance is transferred to the account indicated by the heirs after verification
Wise (TransferWise)
Wise holds balances in multiple currencies:
- Contact support with the death certificate and proof of family relationship
- Check if there are balances in different currencies
- Pending transfers can be cancelled or completed
- The process generally takes 2 to 4 weeks
MB WAY
MB WAY is linked to a phone number and a bank account:
- Disassociation happens automatically when the bank is notified of the death
- If the phone number is cancelled, MB WAY stops working
- There are no balances in MB WAY – the money is in the linked bank account
- Contact the bank to ensure the service is deactivated
TikTok
TikTok accounts of deceased persons
TikTok allows family members to request the memorialization or deletion of an account:
- Memorialization: The account is frozen, with no possibility of login, but the content remains visible
- Deletion: All content is permanently removed
- Process: Contact TikTok support through the privacy and safety form, selecting "Report a Deceased User's Account"
- Required documents: Death certificate, requester's ID, proof of family relationship
- Timeline: TikTok may take several weeks to process the request
Loyalty programs
Points and miles accumulated in loyalty programs can have significant monetary value. Do not forget to check and, if possible, transfer these benefits.
TAP Miles&Go
- TAP miles are not transferable after death – they expire with the account
- If there are tickets purchased with miles, they may be refunded
- Contact the Miles&Go program with the death certificate
- Check if there is a TAP credit card with points to transfer
Hotel points and others
- Marriott Bonvoy, IHG, Hilton: Some chains allow point transfers to family members upon proof of death
- Supermarket cards: Continente, Pingo Doce – check accumulated discount balance
- Loyalty cards (IKEA Family, Worten, FNAC): check for credits or vouchers
- Fuel cards: Galp, BP, Repsol – check accumulated points
Digital libraries and gaming
Digital libraries of games, music and films can represent hundreds or thousands of euros in content. Unfortunately, most services do not allow license transfers.
Steam
- Valve (Steam) does not transfer accounts between users
- If you have access to the credentials, the account can continue to be used (but this violates the ToS)
- Contact Steam support to close the account
- Steam Wallet balances are not refundable
PlayStation
- Sony does not allow the transfer of accounts or digital games
- PS Plus subscriptions continue to charge until cancellation
- Contact PlayStation support with the death certificate to close the account
- PSN Wallet balances may be lost
Xbox
- Microsoft can close the Xbox/Microsoft account
- Game Pass subscriptions continue to charge until cancellation
- Follow the Microsoft "Next of Kin" process (see email section above)
- Digitally purchased games remain tied to the account
Planning ahead
Consider creating your own digital legacy plan. Use a password manager and share access instructions with a trusted person. Some services (like Google and Apple) offer built-in legacy contact features. See our Advance Planning guide for more.