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

A blocked account, or Sperrkonto, is required for many students from non-EU countries as proof that they have enough money to live in Germany. For a student visa and a residence permit for studies in 2026, the benchmark is 11,904 euros per year, which means 992 euros per month. The money is kept in a special account and released in portions rather than all at once.

What is a Sperrkonto

A blocked account is a bank or payment account with restricted access to the money. You transfer an amount sufficient for living expenses in advance, and after arriving in Germany you can receive the set monthly limit into a regular current account.

For German authorities, such an account is not a savings product but a Finanzierungsnachweis: proof of financial means. It is often used when applying for a national D visa for studies, a preparatory course, or another educational scenario if the applicant cannot prove financing in another recognized way.

Why a student needs it

When applying for a student visa, Germany requires proof that the student can pay for housing, food, insurance, transport, and everyday expenses. If you are not a citizen of Germany or another EU/EEA country, one of the standard ways to provide that proof is a Sperrkonto.

In practice, a blocked account may be needed in two situations:

• when first applying for a national D visa through a German consulate or embassy;
• when extending or obtaining a residence permit in Germany if the Auslanderbehorde asks you to prove your funds again.

Important: the exact document set depends on the purpose of stay, the country where you apply, and the authority involved. That is why, before transferring the money, you should compare the checklist on your consulate’s website or clarify the requirements with the zustandige Auslanderbehorde.

How much is needed in 2026

For studies under Section 16b of the Residence Act, the official benchmark for 2026 is at least 992 euros per month, or 11,904 euros for 12 months. This is the amount usually stated for a blocked account for a student visa.

If the stay is shorter than a year, the amount may be calculated based on the number of months. If the program, city, or authority requires additional proof, such as tuition payments, health insurance, or a reserve for initial expenses, one Sperrkonto may not be enough.

It is also important not to confuse a student visa with a visa for seeking a study place, language courses, or vocational training. The minimum amounts may differ depending on the purpose of stay.

Can a blocked account be replaced

Sperrkonto is a common but not the only way to prove financing. Depending on the situation, the authority may accept:

• Verpflichtungserklarung: an official sponsorship declaration from a person living in Germany who is able to cover your expenses. For more details, see sponsorship declaration for a German visa.
• A scholarship from DAAD, a university, a foundation, or another recognized organization if the document states a sufficient amount.
• Regular income or an employment contract if this concerns extending a residence permit already in Germany and the local Auslanderbehorde considers that income reliable.
• A combination of proofs, for example a partial scholarship and the remaining amount in a Sperrkonto.

The riskiest option is to rely only on a letter from your parents, unofficial income, or future part-time work. Such documents may not be accepted everywhere, and for an initial visa, consulates usually require more formalized proof.

Where to open a blocked account

The German Federal Foreign Office does not recommend specific providers and does not maintain an up-to-date list of “approved” companies. The applicant chooses a bank or service independently and then checks whether the confirmation is accepted by the specific consulate or authority.

In practice, students often consider online providers and banks, including:

1. Fintiba: one of the well-known online services for Sperrkonto. The conditions for minors and verification should be checked before applying.
2. Coracle: online account opening and related products for students. Requirements for an admission letter and deadlines may depend on the specific case.
3. Expatrio: an online platform for blocked accounts and packages for international students. Before choosing it, check the conditions for age, fees, and how quickly confirmation is issued.
4. Sparkasse or another bank in Germany: an option for those who are already in Germany and can open an account in person. The service is not available in every branch, so you need to clarify in advance whether a blocked-account restriction can be set up.

When choosing, compare fees, opening time, account closure cost, refund rules if the visa is refused, support language, requirements for minors, and how quickly the service issues confirmation for the visa.

How to open a Sperrkonto step by step

1. Check the checklist of the consulate or Auslanderbehorde for your purpose of stay.
2. Make sure which amount applies specifically to you: 12 months, a shorter period, or another visa category.
3. Choose a provider and check the fees, timeframes, age restrictions, and refund procedure.
4. Fill out the application and complete identity verification.
5. Transfer the required amount and bank fees, taking into account the timing of the international payment.
6. Obtain confirmation that the funds are blocked and attach it to your visa package.
7. After arriving in Germany, open a regular Girokonto, activate payouts, and set up the monthly transfer.

Do not postpone the transfer until the last days before your appointment: the international payment, compliance checks, and issuance of the confirmation may take longer than the service’s advertising promises.

Common mistakes

• Relying on the old amount of 11,208 euros and 934 euros per month. For studies in 2026, these figures are no longer current.
• Opening an account with a provider whose confirmation is not accepted by the required consulate.
• Not taking fees into account: usually you need to transfer not only the blocked amount, but also payment for the service.
• Assuming the money can be withdrawn immediately after arrival. The whole point of a Sperrkonto is the monthly limit.
• Closing the account without the beneficiary’s consent. To unblock the account, consent from the consulate or Auslanderbehorde is often required, and in the event of a visa refusal, the corresponding confirmation is needed.

In short

For a German student visa, a blocked account remains one of the clearest ways to prove financial means. In 2026, the student scenario usually requires 11,904 euros for one year. At the same time, the rules depend on the purpose of stay and the authority involved, and the conditions of Fintiba, Coracle, Expatrio, Sparkasse, and other providers should be checked directly before opening the account.