'Blocked Account in Germany for a Student Visa: Amount, Opening, and

A blocked account, or Sperrkonto, is one of the ways to prove that an international student has enough money to live in Germany. It is often used when applying for a national D visa for studying, the Studienvisum, as well as when applying for or extending a student residence permit.

The idea behind the account is simple: the student transfers the required amount in advance, but cannot withdraw all of it at once. The money is released in portions, usually with a monthly limit. This allows German authorities to see that the funds are spread across the period of stay instead of being spent in the first weeks after arrival.

Who needs a Sperrkonto

A blocked account is not required for every student, but it often becomes the clearest way to prove financial means for applicants from non-EU countries.

It is usually considered if you:

apply for a German national D visa for studies;
are enrolling in a university, Studienkolleg, or a preparatory program;
are extending a student residence permit in Germany;
cannot prove funding through a scholarship, Verpflichtungserklärung, or another method accepted by the authorities.

The final requirements depend on the purpose of stay, the country where you apply, and the specific Ausländerbehörde after arrival. So before transferring money, check the checklist from your German embassy or consulate, and in Germany check the requirements of the local foreigners authority.

How much money is required in 2026

For student residence in 2026, the benchmark is 992 euros per month, which is 11,904 euros for 12 months. This is the amount often listed for student residence permits and visa checklists when proof of funds for one year is required.

If the program is shorter than a year, the amount is usually calculated by month. If the university charges tuition fees or the authorities require additional expenses, you may need more money. The visa section or the Ausländerbehörde may also ask for additional proof if the standard amount is not enough for your situation.

Important: the amount for a Sperrkonto is tied to proof-of-funds rules and may change. Check the current checklist before applying, especially if your embassy appointment or residence permit extension is scheduled for the next academic year.

How the money block works

After opening the account, the student transfers the required amount to it and receives confirmation for the visa package. The confirmation usually states:

the account holder’s name;
the amount blocked;
the monthly withdrawal limit;
the blocking period;
the recipient of the blocking notice: the embassy, consulate, or Ausländerbehörde.

After arrival in Germany and activation of the payouts, the money is transferred to the student’s regular current account. You cannot freely withdraw the full amount from a Sperrkonto: only the monthly portion is available unless the authorities approved a different arrangement.

Where to open a blocked account

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office does not recommend specific providers and does not take responsibility for how they operate. So choose the service yourself and check the terms before transferring money.

Common options:

online Sperrkonto providers such as Fintiba, Coracle, and Expatrio;
some German banks, including certain Sparkasse branches, if you are already in Germany;
banking or fintech platforms that are accepted by a specific embassy or authority.

Before choosing a provider, compare:

whether your embassy or Ausländerbehörde accepts its confirmation;
whether you can open the account from your country;
whether the service works with minors;
which documents are needed for identification;
the cost of opening, monthly maintenance, and closing;
how long it takes to receive confirmation;
how money is returned if the visa is refused;
which languages support is available in.

Do not transfer money through referral links, messengers, or intermediaries if you are not sure about the source. Open the account through the provider’s official website and keep all payment confirmations.

How to open a Sperrkonto step by step

Check the visa checklist for your country of application and make sure a Sperrkonto is an acceptable form of financial proof.
Choose a provider and carefully read the fees, timelines, refund rules, and document requirements.
Fill out the online application: personal details, passport, purpose of stay, blocking period, and the authority receiving the notice.
Complete identification if the provider requires it.
Transfer the required amount and fees from your bank account.
Receive the blocking confirmation and add it to your visa package.
After arriving in Germany, open a regular Girokonto if you need one for monthly payouts.
Activate the payouts according to the provider’s instructions.

Do not leave the opening until the last day: the international transfer, document checks, and confirmation issuance can take time.

Alternatives to a blocked account

A Sperrkonto is not the only way to prove financial means. Depending on the situation, the authorities may accept other documents.

Verpflichtungserklärung

A Verpflichtungserklärung is an official financial guarantee from a person living in Germany. It is issued through the foreigners authority. The guarantor must prove sufficient income and takes on financial obligations toward the state.

This option cannot be replaced by an ordinary letter from an acquaintance: an official document on the prescribed form is required.

Scholarship

If you have a scholarship, for example from DAAD, a German university, a foundation, or another recognized organization, it may fully or partly replace a Sperrkonto. It is important that the document states the amount, payment period, and source of funding.

If the scholarship is below the required monthly minimum, the authorities may ask you to cover the difference through a Sperrkonto or another method.

Proof from parents or your own income

Some authorities may consider a notarized statement from parents, proof of their income, the student’s employment contract, or other regular income. But practice differs by city and country of application. For an initial visa, you need to check such options in advance against the checklist of the specific embassy.

Can you replace a Sperrkonto after arrival

After entering Germany, when applying for or extending a residence permit, the Ausländerbehörde checks whether your livelihood remains secured. Sometimes a blocked account can be replaced by other proof: a scholarship, a Verpflichtungserklärung, a part-time job contract, or a combination of documents.

But this is not an automatic right. One authority may accept regular student work, while another may ask for a Sperrkonto or additional proof. You should be especially careful about relying on a Minijob or unstable part-time work: that income is not always considered sufficient.

What to check before transferring money

Before paying the provider, go through this short checklist:

the amount matches your visa type and period of stay;
the monthly limit is stated correctly;
the embassy or Ausländerbehörde accepts confirmation from the chosen provider;
the fees are clear in advance;
your name and passport details are written exactly as in the passport;
you know how money is refunded if the application is refused or the trip is canceled;
you have access to extra money for a housing deposit, insurance, tickets, and initial expenses.

The standard monthly limit does not mean that 992 euros will cover all start-up costs. In the first month you often need additional funds for a rental deposit, first month’s rent, transport, health insurance, and household purchases.

Common mistakes

Relying on an old amount. In 2024, checklists often used 934 euros per month and 11,208 euros per year. For 2026, in the student context, the benchmark is 992 euros per month and 11,904 euros per year.

Choosing a provider based only on advertising. Opening terms, refund rules, and support matter more than a promo page.

Not accounting for fees. In addition to the blocked amount, there may be charges for opening, maintenance, transfer, closing, or extra documents.

Confusing a Sperrkonto with a regular Girokonto. The blocked account proves that funds exist, while a regular current account is needed for everyday payments after arrival.

Assuming part-time work is a guaranteed replacement. The decision is made by the authorities, and requirements may differ depending on where you live.

FAQ

Can you open a blocked account remotely?

Yes, many providers let you open a Sperrkonto online from abroad. But the document, identification, and processing requirements depend on the provider and the applicant’s country.

Do you need a Sperrkonto if you have a scholarship?

If the scholarship covers the required monthly minimum and is accepted by the embassy, you may not need a Sperrkonto. If the amount is below the minimum, you usually need to prove the missing part.

What happens to the money if the visa is refused?

To close or unblock the account, you need a document confirming the reason, for example a visa refusal or the authority’s consent to remove the block. The process depends on the provider, so you should check it before opening the account.

Can you withdraw more than the monthly limit?

Usually not, because the purpose of a Sperrkonto is to spread the money across the months. Exceptions are only possible under the provider’s rules and with approval from the competent authority.