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 a mandatory requirement for most non-EU nationals applying for a German visa, including:

• Student visa: Must deposit €11,904 (€992/month x 12 months)
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Must deposit €13,092 (€1,091/month x 12 months)
• Job Seeker Visa: Approximately €6,000 (6 months x €992)
• 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

1. You open a blocked account with an approved provider
2. You transfer the required amount (e.g., €11,904 for students)
3. The provider issues a confirmation letter (Sperrbescheinigung) that you submit with your visa application
4. After arriving in Germany and activating the account, €992/month is released to your regular German bank account
5. The remaining balance stays blocked until the next monthly release

Expatrio

• Setup fee: €49 (one-time)
• Monthly fee: €5/month for account maintenance
• Setup time: 3-5 business days after document verification
• Partner bank: Deutsche Bank (your blocked account is technically held at Deutsche Bank)
• Extras: Includes basic health insurance package during onboarding, English-language dashboard, helpful customer support
• Best for: Most international students. User-friendly interface, excellent guides, fast processing

Fintiba

• Setup fee: €89 (one-time, includes first month)
• Monthly fee: €4.90/month
• Setup time: 3-5 business days
• Partner bank: Operated independently with a German banking license
• Extras: Integrated health insurance enrollment, intuitive app, digital document storage
• Best for: Students who want an all-in-one solution (blocked account + health insurance in one platform)

Deutsche Bank

• Setup fee: €0 (no setup fee)
• Monthly fee: €0 (no monthly fee for the blocked account itself; regular account fees apply once opened)
• Setup time: 5-10 business days (can be slower due to branch-based processing)
• Process: Open in person at a Deutsche Bank branch (some accept postal applications). Requires more paperwork than digital providers
• Best for: Cost-conscious students, those already planning to use Deutsche Bank as their primary bank in Germany

Comparison Table

Feature	Expatrio	Fintiba	Deutsche Bank
Setup fee	€49	€89	€0
Monthly fee	€5	€4.90	€0
Total cost (12 months)	€109	€143	€0
Setup time	3-5 days	3-5 days	5-10 days
100% online	Yes	Yes	Partially (branch may be needed)
English support	Excellent	Good	Limited (branch-dependent)
Health insurance bundle	Yes	Yes	No

Our recommendation: Expatrio offers the best balance of speed, support, and cost for most international students. If budget is your top priority and you do not mind a slightly longer process, Deutsche Bank saves you the fees entirely.

Step-by-Step Process (Expatrio/Fintiba)

1. Register online: Create an account on Expatrio.com or Fintiba.com. Fill in your personal details (name as on passport, date of birth, nationality)
2. Upload documents: Passport (photo page), university admission letter (if available), and a passport-sized photo
3. Identity verification: Complete video identification (Video-Ident) via your webcam/phone. This takes about 10 minutes. Keep your passport ready
4. Receive bank details: Within 1-3 business days, you receive the German IBAN and transfer instructions
5. Transfer the funds: Send €11,904 (or the required amount) via international wire transfer. Use the exact reference code provided. The transfer typically takes 2-5 business days depending on your home country's banking system
6. Receive confirmation: Once the funds arrive, the provider issues your Sperrbescheinigung (blocking confirmation letter), usually within 24-48 hours
7. Submit with visa application: Include the Sperrbescheinigung in your visa application documents

Common Transfer Methods

• SWIFT/Wire transfer: The standard method. Your bank charges a fee (typically $15-40) and the transfer takes 2-5 business days. 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 a typical timeline:

• Account registration + verification: 1-3 days
• International money transfer: 2-5 days
• Confirmation letter: 1-2 days after funds arrive
• Buffer for delays: 1 week
• Total: 2-3 weeks minimum, 4-6 weeks recommended

Activating Withdrawals After Arrival

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

1. Open a regular German bank account (N26, Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, or any other bank)
2. Complete your Anmeldung (city registration) to get your Meldebestatigung
3. Log into your blocked account provider (Expatrio/Fintiba) and provide your German IBAN
4. Submit your Meldebestatigung to the provider (some require this for activation)
5. First withdrawal: Processed within 1-2 business days after activation. Subsequent withdrawals are automatic on the same day each month

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 (up to 20 hrs/week during semester, full-time during breaks) earning €12-20/hour

Closing Your Blocked Account

You can close your blocked account and withdraw the remaining balance when:

• Your visa is rejected and you are not moving to Germany
• You leave Germany permanently (provide proof of de-registration, Abmeldung)
• The account period has ended and the balance is zero
• You switch to a different form of financial proof (employment contract, scholarship)

Closing usually takes 2-4 weeks. 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)

Expense	Amount
Rent (WG room, shared apartment)	€300-450
Health insurance (student rate)	€120-150
Food (cooking at home mostly)	€200-250
Deutschlandticket	€63
Phone/Internet	€15-25
Study materials, personal	€50-100
Total	€750-1,040

Typical Monthly Budget (Munich/Frankfurt)

Expense	Amount
Rent (WG room)	€500-700
Health insurance	€120-150
Food	€250-300
Deutschlandticket	€63
Phone/Internet	€15-25
Study materials, personal	€50-100
Total	€1,000-1,340

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 (€10-25 per bank). 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?

Technically, the following alternatives exist, but they are rarely accepted in practice:

• Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklarung): A German resident can guarantee your financial support. They must earn enough to support both themselves and you
• Scholarship confirmation: If your scholarship covers at least €992/month, some embassies accept it as financial proof
• Parent income proof: Some embassies accept notarized bank statements from parents. This is less reliable and varies by embassy

The blocked account is by far the most universally accepted proof. If in doubt, open one.

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.