The Independent Guide to Blocked Accounts (Sperrkonto) for German Student Visas in 2026
TL;DR
- A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a common way for students from outside the EU/EEA to prove they can cover living costs; accepted alternatives may also be available
- For a 2026 student visa, the standard amount is €11,904, with up to €992/month released after activation
- EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a student visa or blocked account
- Setup is usually online, but you should confirm the required amount and provider acceptance with the German mission handling your application
How Much Do You Need to Deposit?
For 2026, the required deposit is €11,904 for a 12-month period. That works out to €992 per month.
This amount is tied to the BAföG rate, which is Germany's federal student financial aid benchmark. The government updates it periodically, so always double-check the latest figure with your local German embassy before you start the process.
A blocked account is usually opened for one year unless the planned stay is shorter. For a longer stay, you will normally extend or top up the account later. Confirm the exact period and amount with the German mission or Foreigners' Office handling your case.
Different residence purposes use different funding amounts. For example, the 2026 Opportunity Card amount is €1,091 per month (€13,092 for 12 months), while the standard student amount is €992 per month. Always check the rule for your specific visa category.
How Does the Monthly Payout Work?
Once you arrive in Germany and activate your blocked account, the provider releases one twelfth of your deposit each month. Here is how the balance decreases over the year:
| Month | Monthly payout | Remaining balance |
|---|---|---|
| Before visa application | — | €11,904 |
| After month 1 | €992 | €10,912 |
| After month 2 | €992 | €9,920 |
| After month 3 | €992 | €8,928 |
| After month 6 | €992 | €5,952 |
| After month 9 | €992 | €2,976 |
| After month 12 | €992 | €0 |
The monthly payout is typically transferred to a regular German bank account (a Girokonto), which you will also need to open once you are in Germany.
Who Needs a Blocked Account?
The short answer: if you need a student visa or residence permit to study in Germany, you must prove that you have sufficient financial resources.
For many students from outside the EU/EEA, a blocked account is the simplest and most widely used method. It is not the only possible proof: depending on your case and the responsible authority, a recognised scholarship, a Declaration of Commitment, parental finances, or a bank guarantee may also be accepted.
Who Does Not Need One?
Citizens of EU countries, the other EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland do not need a student visa or blocked account. Other nationalities may have different entry rules, but students who need a German residence title generally still have to prove sufficient funds.
Even if you do not legally need a blocked account, having €992 per month set aside is a good benchmark for budgeting your living costs in Germany.
How to Open a Blocked Account
The process is fully online with most providers and takes just a few steps.
Step by Step
- Check with your embassy. Contact your local German embassy or consulate to confirm which type of blocked account and deposit amount apply to your specific visa type.
- Choose a provider. Germany's Federal Foreign Office does not maintain or endorse an official provider list. Compare fees, account safeguards, activation requirements, support, and whether the provider is accepted for your application.
- Complete the online application. You will need your passport and basic personal details. Identity verification is usually done via video call or an ID scanning process.
- Transfer the money. Once your account is set up and you receive the IBAN, transfer the required amount. Factor in international transfer fees and currency exchange costs.
- Receive your confirmation. The provider issues a confirmation letter (Sperrbescheinigung) that you present to the German embassy with your visa application.
- Activate in Germany. After arriving, register your German address with the provider to start receiving monthly payouts.
International bank transfers can take several business days. Start early to avoid delays that could push back your visa appointment. Also, the transfer amount that arrives must meet the minimum after any fees are deducted.
Do not assume the first payout will be available immediately after arrival. Providers commonly require activation steps such as proof of entry, address registration, and a payout account; exact requirements vary. Bring enough accessible money to cover rent, food, and other essentials during the first weeks.
Blocked Account Providers
Independent guide: Kursa does not endorse a blocked-account provider. The Federal Foreign Office also makes no provider recommendations and accepts no liability for provider failures. Prices and availability below were checked in September 2026 and can change.
The Federal Foreign Office says you are free to choose a bank or similar provider and should research the provider carefully. Before transferring money, confirm that the provider and its blocking confirmation are accepted by the German mission or authority handling your case.
| Provider | Current status | Setup fee | Monthly fee | 12-month service fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expatrio | Accepting applications | €119 | €9 | €227 |
| Fintiba | Accepting applications | €159 | €9.90 | €277.80 |
| Coracle | Verify before applying | Not currently published | Not currently published | — |
Provider fees are separate from the €11,904 blocked amount and any transfer or exchange-rate costs. Check the live checkout price before paying.
How to Choose
- Acceptance. Confirm that the provider's documentation is accepted by the German mission or Foreigners' Office handling your case.
- Safeguards. Check which regulated bank or payment institution holds the funds and what deposit or safeguarding protection applies.
- Total cost. Compare setup fees, monthly fees, transfer charges, currency conversion, buffers, refunds, and extension fees.
- Activation and payouts. Check what documents are required after arrival and how quickly the first payout can start.
- Support and reliability. Review recent customer experiences and ask your university's international office for practical guidance.
Treat provider claims such as “approved” or “accepted everywhere” as marketing unless the authority handling your application confirms them.
Is €992 per Month Enough?
The honest answer: it depends on where you live.
€992 is the legal proof-of-funds benchmark, not a guarantee that it will cover every student's actual costs. In expensive cities such as Munich or Hamburg, rent can consume most of the monthly payout; smaller cities may be more affordable.
Your monthly budget will typically need to cover:
- Rent and utilities: highly location-dependent and often the largest expense
- Health insurance: check the current student tariff; it can exceed €140 per month
- Food and household costs
- Transport: sometimes partly covered by the semester ticket
- Study materials, phone, clothing, and personal expenses
Third-country students with a study residence permit may generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours per week. Student-assistant roles and semester-break rules can differ, so check the conditions on your residence title.
For a detailed breakdown of costs, check out our guide on Tuition Fees and Semesterbeitrag in Germany and Semester Fees in Germany Explained.
Can You Avoid a Blocked Account?
If you need a student visa, you cannot skip the financial proof requirement. However, a few alternatives may be accepted by some German embassies:
- Scholarship — A recognised scholarship may satisfy some or all of the funding requirement if the responsible authority accepts its amount and duration.
- Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) — A person in Germany formally commits to cover your expenses and must demonstrate sufficient means.
- Proof of Parental Finances — Some German missions accept evidence of parents' income and financial circumstances.
- Bank Guarantee — An annually renewable guarantee from a bank in Germany is another officially recognised form of proof, subject to the authority's requirements.
A blocked account is a common and straightforward form of proof, but the responsible German mission or Foreigners' Office decides what it will accept in your case. Confirm before relying on an alternative.
Renewals and Working Students
Your blocked account covers the first year. When you apply to extend your residence permit, you will likely need to top up your blocked account again for the next year, unless you can show sufficient funds from another source.
If you are already working part-time in Germany, the Foreigners' Office may consider stable income when assessing your residence-permit extension. There is no universal automatic euro-for-euro reduction of the blocked amount, so ask your local Foreigners' Office what evidence it will accept before relying on wages.
Keep payslips and employment contracts organized. You will need them when applying for your residence permit extension to prove your income.
Is Your Money Safe?
Safety depends on the legal structure behind the product, including which bank or payment institution holds the funds and what safeguarding or deposit protection applies. A provider's brand may not be the institution that actually holds your money.
The Federal Foreign Office does not recommend providers or accept liability for provider failures. Check the underlying institution, regulatory information, refund process, recent reviews, and guidance from your university before transferring a large amount.
FAQ
How much do I need to deposit in 2026?
€11,904 for 12 months (€992/month), based on the BAföG rate.
Can I access the money before arriving?
No. Funds stay locked until you arrive in Germany and register your address with the provider.
What happens to leftover money after 12 months?
After the blocking period and final scheduled payout, any remaining unblocked balance is handled under the provider's terms. Closing the account early normally requires the blocking notice to be lifted by the responsible German mission or Foreigners' Office.
Do I still need one if I have a scholarship?
A recognised scholarship may replace all or part of the blocked-account requirement if the responsible German authority accepts its amount and duration. Confirm this before applying.
Can someone else fund the account?
Yes — the money can come from any source (parents, sponsor, etc.) as long as it arrives before your visa appointment.
How long does setup take?
Timing varies by provider, identity checks, and international transfer method. Start well before your visa appointment and use the provider's current processing estimate rather than relying on a fixed timeline.
What if I can't afford the full deposit?
Check recognised scholarships, a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), accepted parental-finance evidence, or a German bank guarantee. Confirm the acceptable option with the German mission handling your application before committing to a loan.
