Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Germany

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a special type of German bank account where you deposit a fixed amount of money as proof that you can financially sustain yourself in Germany. The money is "blocked," meaning you cannot withdraw it all at once. Instead, a fixed monthly amount is released to you.

It is one of the accepted ways for non-EU nationals to prove they can pay their living costs, for example for:

• Student visa: Must deposit €11,904 (€992/month x 12 months)
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Must deposit €13,092 (€1,091/month x 12 months)
• Language course visa: Amount varies based on course duration

The blocked account serves as a guarantee to the German government that you will not become dependent on social welfare. The monthly release amount is designed to cover basic living costs.

How It Works

German missions accept blocked accounts from several providers and do not keep an official list (the Federal Foreign Office deleted its provider list in mid-2022). The two best-known online providers are Expatrio and Fintiba. Fees below were checked on the providers' own pages on 8 October 2026; check your quote before paying.

Expatrio

• Setup fee: €119 (one-time)
• Monthly fee: €9
• Speed: opening confirmation within 24 hours; blocking confirmation as soon as your money arrives
• Banks: UniCredit (formerly Aion Bank), or an escrow account with Mangopay
• Extras: a Value Package that adds health insurance

Fintiba

• Setup fee: €159 (one-time)
• Monthly fee: €9.90, charged after the deposit
• Speed: blocking confirmation typically within 24 hours after the full amount arrives
• Bank: Frankfurt International Bank (FIB), which opens all new Fintiba blocked accounts
• Extras: Fintiba Plus adds health insurance; applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to open the account

Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank no longer opens new blocked accounts. Its own page says new openings are no longer possible; existing accounts continue.

Comparison Table

Our recommendation: Expatrio is the cheaper of the two on today's published fees and is the provider we set up for our students. Fintiba is a good alternative, for example if the applicant is under 18 and a parent will manage the account.

Step-by-Step Process (Expatrio/Fintiba)

Common Transfer Methods

• SWIFT/Wire transfer: The standard method. Your bank charges a fee; ask for it in advance. Ensure you send in EUR to avoid conversion fees at the receiving end
• Wise (TransferWise): Often the cheapest option for currency conversion. Convert to EUR at the real mid-market rate with transparent fees
• Flywire: Some providers accept Flywire for education payments. Check if your provider supports it

Timeline

Start the process at least 4-6 weeks before your visa appointment. Here is what the providers themselves say:

• Account opening: Expatrio sends its opening confirmation within 24 hours
• International money transfer: 1-5 business days (Expatrio); SWIFT 3-10 days (Fintiba)
• Blocking confirmation: instant (Expatrio) or typically within 24 hours (Fintiba) after the full amount arrives
• Buffer: leave extra time for bank checks and delays

Activating Withdrawals After Arrival

Your blocked account releases €992/month (for students) into a regular German bank account. To activate this:

What If You Need More Than €992/Month?

The blocked account releases exactly €992/month, no more. If your actual living costs are higher (rent in Munich or Frankfurt, for example), you need additional income sources:

• Part-time job: Students can work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (approximately 20 hours/week). At the federal minimum wage of €13.90/hour (effective 1 January 2026), a 20-hour/week job earns approximately €1,205/month gross
• Scholarship: DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month), university-specific awards
• Family support: Transfers from family directly to your regular bank account
• Freelance/working student (Werkstudent): Some students work as Werkstudenten (usually up to 20 hrs/week during lecture periods, within your 140-day limit) and must be paid at least the minimum wage

Closing Your Blocked Account

Closing needs the agreement of the account beneficiary (the German mission, or the foreigners' office once you are in Germany). According to the Federal Foreign Office, the blocking can be lifted when:

• Your visa is rejected (the rejection notice is enough)
• You did not apply for the visa, withdrew your application, or did not use the visa
• You left the Schengen area before the foreigners' office issued your residence permit
• You are in Germany and the foreigners' office agrees to lift it

Ask your provider how long closing takes. The remaining balance is transferred to your regular bank account or back to your home country.

The €992/month released from your blocked account is designed to cover basic living costs. Here is how it breaks down in practice:

Typical Monthly Budget (Smaller City)

Typical Monthly Budget (Munich/Frankfurt)

Rent, food and personal costs are rough estimates; check current listings and your local Studierendenwerk. Health insurance is the TK student rate from 1 January 2026. In expensive cities, the blocked account alone may not be enough. Plan for supplementary income through part-time work or family support.

Transfer Delays

The most common issue is delayed fund transfers. International wire transfers can be held up by:

• Intermediate banks: Your transfer may pass through 1-2 intermediary banks, each of which can deduct fees. Always choose the "OUR" payment option (sender pays all fees) to ensure the full €11,904 arrives
• Currency conversion: If you send in your home currency instead of EUR, the receiving bank's exchange rate may result in less than €11,904 arriving. Always convert to EUR before sending, or use Wise for the best rates
• Compliance checks: Large international transfers sometimes trigger anti-money-laundering checks. Keep your university admission letter and visa appointment confirmation ready in case your bank asks for justification

Can I Use Other Proof Instead of a Blocked Account?

Yes. The German missions in India accept any one of these as proof of funds for a student visa:

• Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklarung): A sponsor living in Germany signs it at their local immigration office and agrees to cover your costs
• Scholarship confirmation: If your German or EU scholarship covers at least €992/month, the India missions say you do not need a blocked account

An education loan does not replace these: the India missions say a loan is additional to the blocked account.

Check the current checklist of the mission for your place of residence.

Can I Top Up My Blocked Account Later?

Yes. If you need to renew your visa, some Auslanderbehorden require a fresh blocked account or proof that you have topped up for another year. Expatrio and Fintiba allow top-ups through your online dashboard.

Blocked Account for Couples/Families

Each visa applicant needs their own blocked account. If you and your spouse are both applying for visas, each person needs €11,904 (or the respective amount). Children under 18 may be covered by the primary applicant's finances, but check with your specific embassy.