Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Germany: Amount, Providers & Process 2026
Updated July 2026 · By Sagar S. Patil, living in Germany since 2019
For 2026, Indian students need a blocked account of €11,904 for one year (€992 per month) to get a German student visa. You deposit the money before your visa appointment, and after arriving in Germany you receive €992 back every month for living costs. It is proof of funds, not a fee, the money stays yours.
Blocked account (Sperrkonto): a special German bank account that proves to the embassy you can finance your first year. The balance is 'blocked': you cannot withdraw it freely, it is released to you in fixed monthly instalments after you arrive in Germany.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Choose a provider
Expatrio, Fintiba, and Coracle are the standard embassy-accepted options for Indian students. Compare setup fee, monthly fee, and whether health insurance is bundled.
- 2
Open the account online
Passport + admission letter (or application proof), 15-minute form. Account details usually arrive within a week.
- 3
Transfer €11,904 + buffer
Wire the amount plus the provider's setup fee from India. Use your own or a parent's account; keep the transfer receipt for the visa file.
- 4
Receive the blocking confirmation
The provider issues a Sperrbestätigung (blocking confirmation), this exact PDF goes into your visa application.
- 5
Activate after arrival
In Germany, open a regular current account, complete the provider's activation, and €992 lands in it monthly for 12 months.
Costs
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked amount | €11,904 | Your money, returned monthly |
| Provider setup fee | €49–110 | One-time, varies by provider |
| Monthly provider fee | €0–5 | Some bundle insurance instead |
| Bank transfer charges | ₹500–2,000 | Indian bank wire fees + forex margin |
Who needs this / eligibility
- Required for nearly all Indian student-visa applicants (non-EU nationals)
- Alternatives accepted by embassies: a formal sponsor declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a German resident, or a full scholarship covering €992/month
- Partial scholarships reduce the blocked amount proportionally
Common mistakes to avoid
✗ Transferring the exact amount with no buffer
Bank charges get deducted mid-transfer and you land €30 short, visa file rejected. Send €100–150 extra; providers refund surpluses.
✗ Opening the account too late
Transfers from India can take a week and the blocking confirmation another few days. Do this at least 4 weeks before your visa appointment.
✗ Confusing blocked account with tuition
It's living-cost proof, not a payment. Public universities charge almost no tuition, the €11,904 comes back to you monthly.
✗ Picking a provider the embassy doesn't list
Stick to embassy-recognised providers. An unrecognised bank means a rejected financial proof.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the blocked account for Germany in 2026?
€11,904 for one year, €992 per month. This rate has applied since September 2024 and remains current for 2026 applications.
Do I get the blocked account money back?
Yes. After arriving in Germany you receive €992 every month into your regular German bank account. It's your own money, released in instalments.
Which blocked account provider is best?
Expatrio, Fintiba, and Coracle are all embassy-accepted. Differences are fees and insurance bundles, we help students pick based on their city and insurance plan.
Can my parents' bank statement replace a blocked account?
For Indian applicants, generally no. The German embassy in India expects a blocked account, a formal sponsor declaration from a German resident, or a recognised scholarship.
What happens to the account if my visa is rejected?
You request de-blocking with the rejection letter and the full amount is transferred back, minus provider fees. Takes 2–6 weeks.
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