What happens to Spotify accounts when the owner dies
Spotify AB accounts are forfeited under the program's terms when the account is closed
Spotify Support
Spotify Support
Self-service closure opens a 7-day reactivation window; after 7 days data deletion begins. The same email address may be reused for a new account 14 days after closure. When contacting support without credentials, Spotify publishes no processing timeline and cases are handled individually.
(General customer service)
When a Spotify account holder dies, accounts are forfeited under Spotify AB's terms. The account balance has no transferable value, and there is no formal process for heirs to claim accounts.
Some families have reported receiving accommodations from Spotify AB customer service, though this is not part of the official policy.
What to do
If a Spotify account holder has passed away, here is what to do:
- •With account access: go to spotify.com/account/close/ and follow the close-account flow. Spotify opens a 7-day reactivation window (via a link sent to the account email), after which data deletion begins.
- •Without account access: use support.spotify.com/article/contact-us to reach Spotify support. Spotify has no published third-party closure policy, so expect to provide a death certificate and proof of relationship case-by-case.
Required Documents
- Account credentials (email and password) for self-service closure — the simplest path
- Death certificate if contacting support without account access
- Proof of relationship (executor documentation, letters testamentary, or similar) if contacting support without credentials
- No formal documentation policy is published by Spotify for consumer accounts; requirements are determined case-by-case
Timeline
Self-service closure opens a 7-day reactivation window; after 7 days data deletion begins. The same email address may be reused for a new account 14 days after closure. When contacting support without credentials, Spotify publishes no processing timeline and cases are handled individually.
Frequently asked questions
Spotify has no published bereavement policy for consumer accounts. The account must be closed — either by logging in and using spotify.com/account/close/ or by contacting support with a death certificate and proof of relationship. Closure permanently deletes playlists, saved music, listening history, and podcast subscriptions, and forfeits purchased audiobooks and live event tickets. There is no transfer mechanism.
Family members lose Premium access when the plan manager's account is closed, but each member keeps their independent Spotify account, playlists, and saved music on the free tier. They can continue listening with ads or start their own paid subscription. Premium Family covers up to 6 accounts at one address; Premium Duo covers 2 accounts at one address.
Spotify's Close Account article states that "You'll lose access to any purchased audiobooks or live tickets for future events if you close your account and delete your data." Audiobooks are licensed, not sold, and are tied to the account. There is no mechanism to transfer audiobook purchases to another account, which can represent real financial loss for estates.
With account access: log in and go to spotify.com/account/close/ to start the close-account flow. Spotify will send a reactivation link to the account email; after 7 days the link expires and data deletion begins. Without account access: use support.spotify.com/article/contact-us to reach Spotify and submit a death certificate and proof of relationship. Spotify has no published third-party closure policy, so response varies by agent.
No. Spotify does not offer a memorial account feature for consumer accounts. The only options are to leave the account active (and cancel any paid plan to stop billing) or close the account entirely. If the deceased logged in via "Continue with Facebook" and the Facebook account has been memorialized, the linked Spotify login will fail and Spotify support must recover access.
No. Remaining gift card balances are forfeited upon account closure, and Spotify's Terms of Use state Spotify "will not refund any amounts that you have already paid" outside of limited circumstances. There is no mechanism to transfer a gift card balance to another account. Balances should be redeemed before closing the account.
Under the official terms, accounts have no value after the account holder dies. The only way to preserve the value of Spotify accounts is to redeem, transfer, or share them while the account is active.
Sources
Data sourced from Spotify AB primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Spotify Support
Spotify Support
Self-service closure opens a 7-day reactivation window; after 7 days data deletion begins. The same email address may be reused for a new account 14 days after closure. When contacting support without credentials, Spotify publishes no processing timeline and cases are handled individually.
(General customer service)
