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Blocked account · SperrkontoGermany asks every student to park one year of living costs in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) before it grants a visa. We open it with the right provider for you, Expatrio or Fintiba, tell you exactly how much and when to transfer, and stay on it until your money is released to you in Germany.
A blocked account holds about one year of living costs in your name. The money is "blocked" until you arrive in Germany, then released to you in equal monthly amounts. It is the proof the German authorities want that you can support yourself while you study.
Your embassy needs it before it will issue your student visa. No blocked account, no visa, so it is one of the first things we set up.
Once you are in Germany you withdraw a set amount each month to live on. The money is always yours; the account only controls the timing.
You deposit roughly a year of living costs in a single transfer before your visa appointment, then draw it down once you land.
The amount is set by the German Federal Foreign Office and updated each year. What you deposit depends on whether you are heading into a degree or a language course.
| You are a… | Blocked amount | Released monthly | You transfer (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University, foundation year or preparatory language course | €11,904 | €992 per month | ≈ €12,150 |
| Standalone language course | €13,092 | €1,091 per month | ≈ €13,350 |
The approximate figure includes a one-time opening fee and a small buffer; the exact all-in depends on which provider you use, which we compare just below. Any unused buffer, usually €10-100, comes back with your first monthly payout. We confirm the exact amount for your case before you transfer a single euro.
Germany recognises a short list of blocked-account providers. We work with the two strongest, both accepted by the Federal Foreign Office and fully online. For most students we recommend Expatrio; for under-18s and Syrian nationals we use Fintiba. Either way, we open it and handle every step.
€227first-year fees
The lower-cost choice, with a free German bank account built in so your money reaches you the day you land. It even refunds its service fees if your visa is refused.
€277.80first-year fees
The only provider that opens accounts for students under 18, and our default for Syrian nationals. Long trusted by German missions, with a named German banking partner.
The cost difference: Expatrio's fees run about €51 less in the first year (€227 against €277.80) and it refunds them if your visa is refused, which is why we recommend it for most students. Under 18, or a Syrian national? Fintiba is the right fit, and the small difference is well worth it.
We handle both the same way. Whichever provider fits your case, one advisor opens the account in your name, tells you the exact amount and when to transfer, gets your blocking confirmation into your visa file, and helps you release the money after you arrive. You never deal with the bank alone.
You do not fill in German forms or wrestle with a bank. One advisor opens it with you and stays on it from the first transfer to your monthly payouts. Here is the entire process.
Opening, blocking details, dates and paperwork are on us. You only do the one identity step that must be you.
The same person guides your transfer, gets your confirmation, and helps you unblock it after you land.
We make sure the money is transferred and confirmed before your embassy appointment, so nothing holds up the visa.
We open your account with the right provider in your name. If you are under 18, a parent opens it with Fintiba and you are named on the visa documents.
You complete a short identity check with your passport, a quick video verification or guided selfie. This is the one part only you can do.
We give you the exact amount and details; you send the transfer before your visa appointment.
Before the visaYour provider issues the blocking confirmation, usually 1-3 business days after the money arrives. It goes straight into your visa file.
In Germany we help you update your address, link your German bank account, and start your monthly payouts.
Every family is a little different. These are the situations we handle all the time, so you never have to guess.
Students under 18 are opened with Fintiba, the one provider that allows it. A parent opens the account and stays the account holder, while your name is on the visa documents the embassy sees. We guide the parent through their verification and set up how you receive your money after you arrive.
Each student needs their own blocked account, opened under a different parent. We set them up separately so there is no mix-up.
A higher amount applies to language-course students (see the table above). We make sure you deposit the right figure so your file is not questioned.
If family income is on the lower side, we may suggest blocking a few extra months beyond the minimum. It strengthens the financial picture your visa officer sees.
Some countries need extra papers to send the transfer, for example a parent's and student's national ID for transfers from Egypt. We tell you exactly what to prepare.
Little things, like using a reliable personal email that the bank recognises, are the kind of detail we catch before they cost you time.
Independent, authoritative reading on proof of financing and blocked accounts in Germany.
External links open in a new tab. Figures can change year to year; we confirm the current amount with you before you apply.
One call and we start it: the exact amount for your case, the right provider set up, and every step handled through to your first monthly payout.