Introduction

What is a blocked account?

A German blocked account is a special account that applicants open in Germany to get a visa from the German Embassy. Applicants need this account to show that they have enough financial means to cover their stay in Germany. Before arriving in Germany, applicants must deposit €11,904 in this account.

Why do you need a Blocked Account in Germany?

The German embassy or consulate may ask you to show proof of this account with €11,904 funds at your appointment or send it later. After you arrive in Germany, you can withdraw €992 per month. Through this, they make sure you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses such as health insurance, rent, food,  

Who Needs to Open a Blocked Bank Account?

Applicants requiring long-term visas need to open a blocked account. You need one even if you belong to a country outside the European Union or Schengen Member State, e.g., the Koran, the USA, India, or Japan. It is compulsory if you are applying for a visa category, such as a Student visa, Job-seeker visa, Germany Opportunity Card—Chancenkarte, Training or apprenticeship visa, Au pair visa, a Visa for the recognition of foreign qualifications, or a Language course visa.

Who Does Not Need to Open a Blocked Bank Account?

You do not need a blocked account if

Your country is in a European Union or Schengen Member state

You have an alternative financial sponsor

Hold a scholarship

• Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB)
• Targobank
• Postbank
• Sparkasse
• HypoVereinsbank
• Volksbank
• Commerzbank

Note: To avoid any potential problem or prolonged waiting time, open a blocked account only in a German bank or with an approved provider.

The required amount in 2025 for a German student visa is €11,904. This amount is based on the annual living expenses of students estimated by BAföG, which ensures that students have enough funds to cover their living expenses in Germany. The limit to withdraw each month is 992€.

This amount is based on the annual living expenses of students estimated by BAföG

Do certain visas require a higher deposit for a blocked account in Germany?

Some German visa applicants applying for certain visa categories such as

• Training or apprenticeship visa
• The language acquisition visa

may require you to deposit 10 % more funds, making it a total of  €13,094.40, allowing you to withdraw €1,091.20 per month.

Am I allowed to deposit more than the required minimum amount?

According to German officials, students can deposit more than the required amount but not less than €11,904  for a study or residence permit. However, the providers do not recommend it, except for funds needed for international transfer, opening an account and maintaining it. If you think you will need more than this 992€ per month, you can have that money in a separate account for easy access.

Which option is better for opening a blocked account: using an intermediary or applying directly with a German bank?

If you are in Germany, then going to the bank directly could be a good option because you can go in person, talk to the bank employees and submit the necessary documents. This makes the process faster and transparent. But if you are not in Germany, opening a blocked account directly can be difficult because sending documents by mail requires additional time and effort. In this situation, intermediary companies like Fintiba, Expatrio, Studely, Coracle، or Drop Money offer simple solutions. These companies work with German banks and complete the whole process online for you, which saves time and effort. In simple words, if you are in Germany, going in person to the bank is a better option for you; however, if you are abroad, then getting help through these intermediary companies is easier and faster.

When Should I Apply for a Blocked Bank Account?

As soon as you receive a letter of admission from the university or confirmation of your studies in Germany, you will need to apply to open a blocked account. This is a mandatory visa requirement to show proof of financial support. The processing time for opening a blocked account can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the volume of the application. Sometimes students encounter problems or errors while opening a blocked account and it takes longer than necessary.

However, after opening a block account, the next step is to transfer the required funds to a German bank. Depending on the bank and their transfer policy, the transfer of funds may take additional time. Always apply early to avoid unnecessary stress. Completing these steps on time can help you focus on your next goals, such as packing and finding accommodation.

Can I Open a Blocked Account With a Foreign Bank?

No, you cannot open a blocked account in a foreign bank. The blocked account must be registered in Germany. Germany does not accept blocked money from a foreign bank. By making this mistake, you can waste your time and end up having to transfer the money to a German bank. This can lead to delays in the process and visa rejection.

Can I Open a Blocked Account from Inside Germany?

Only people from countries like the United States of America, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and  South Korea can open a blocked account after entering Germany. If you are from third world countries like India, Pakistan, etc. You need a visa to enter Germany, and therefore you need a confirmation letter of the blocked account before you go to the embassy to get a residence permit. Furthermore, it can take time to open a bank account in Germany and link it to your blocked account. You will not have any money when you arrive in Germany for at least the first three months. You should have at least an extra 1000 euros to cover these initial periods.

What Supporting Documents Do I Need?

How to Transfer Funds to Fund My Blocked Account?

After opening the blocked account, you can transfer your funds from your local bank to your blocked account. You will need an IBAN from your blocked account provider. However, keep in mind, this mathod may involve Transfer fee or Currency exchange fee. It can take longer processing time. Morevoer, second method is to transfer through an international mony transfer app that provides more competitive rates.

In addition, blocked account service providers can also inform you about the transfer options. Some providers have partnerships with specific money transfer services. For example Fintiba provides you the service to transfer your funds through their pertner services called xCurrency and Transfermate.

How Do I Activate My Blocked Bank Account?

After entering the Germany you need to complete necessary registration steps. Firstly you need to open a current account in a German Bank such as in Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank , and  Volks bank. 

However, there are also online bank accounts. you can open an account in anonline bank account such as N26, Comdirect , and C24, Revoult. you need following documents to open a Bank account.

1. Residence Registration: register your address at local registration office (e.g, Ausländerbehörde or Bürgeramt). Upon registration, you will get a registration certificate that you need to submit to open a bank account and for further steps.
2. Current account: to open a current account in Germany you will need a tax identification number (steuer ID) and residence registration certificate from a local registration office.
3. German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel): Sometimes you can activate your blocked account initially without a German residence permit but later on provider usually asks upload the proof of German Residence permit on the online app. These blocked account providers such as Fintiba, Coracle, and Expatrio also have their online Apps. You can easily upload your documents on these apps.
4. Passport with entry stamp with Id documents, registration certificate and current account you can activate your blocked account and link your current account to blocked account to get money on monthly basis.

How do I access my blocked account after arriving in Germany?

Follow the steps given below after arriving in Germany to access your blocked account.

1. Get your residence permit: The first step to activating your blocked account is to apply for the residence permit at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within the first three months of your arrival in Germany.
2. Activate your blocked account: As soon as you get your residence permit, you can activate your blocked account. If you used any intermediary company to open a blocked account, log in on their website or open their app and upload your residence permit along with other important documents. On the other hand, if you opened it directly in German bank, go to the local bank branch in your city of residence with the necessary documents to activate your blocked account.
3. Activate current account: You will need a current account to access your funds from a blocked account. You can open it in the same bank or any other bank of your choice. Some service providers also offer free current accounts which you can access online. Both accounts are linked to make your funds easily transferable.
4. Receive Monthly Funds: After activation, each month, a fixed amount, e.g, €992, will be transferred to your current account from the blocked account. You can use this amount for rent, groceries, and daily expenses.
5. Online account management: Most blocked account facility providers provide online banking facilities through which you can easily track your funds, check the balance or credit and see your transactions.

Following these steps after arriving in Germany, you can easily activate your blocked account and get your amount.

How Much Does it Cost to Open a Blocked Bank Account?

Mostly providers charge two types of fees. one is montly service fee, this amount they deduct from your block account monthly basis. Second is setup fee, you need to pay this once when you first time open the account.

These are top three providers which mostly students choose. Expatrio provides the most reasonable offer with €5 monthly and € 69 setup fee.

Why Do I  Need a Current Account?

The main reason to open a current account (Girokonto) is to get your blocked amount (currently,€992) into your current account because you cannot directly withdraw it from the blocked account. Providers explicitly require you to provide details of your German current account for them to release monthly funds. Additionally, you need current account for regular basis to pay for grocery, rent and utilities and online purchases.

Do you need a Blocked Account for the second year of your studies in Germany?

 

 

Is it Possible to Study In Germany Without a Blocked Account?

What If I Need to Close the Account Early?

In some cases you can’t persue your study and you need your blocked amount back. For example in case of visa application rejection, withdrawal of visa application, changing the plan before traveling to Germany, and leaving Germany early etc. In these cases you need to send them visa rejection letter and other relevant documents you will recieve your money back in 3 to 4 weeks.

For example, some providers may deduct Expatrio refund fees in the event of a visa rejection.

Can I Get My Money Back if My Visa Application Is Rejected?

Absolutely yes, in case of visa rejection, you only need to provide the visa rejection letter from the Embassy and personal bank details to the blocked account service provider and you will get your money back in one or two weeks. Sometimes you also get the money you paid to open a blocked account.

How Do I Withdraw Money From My Blocked Bank Account?

You can only withdraw your monthly amounts to your current account. You cannot withdraw your monthly amounts directly from your blocked account. In some cases, you deposit additional amounts or block amounts for a year and a half instead of a year. In this case, you can only withdraw the additional amount if you spend the remaining amount. If you need to close a bank account and there is additional money in your blocked account, you will get this remaining amount.

How do I close a blocked account?

Do I Need a Blocked Account for the Second Year of Studies?

How Do I Extend a Blocked Bank Account?

Should I Close The Account After My Studies?

Can I Combine the Blocked Account With a Health Insurance Policy?

Is the €992 per Month Enough to Live In Germany?

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The question whether €992 per month for a student to live in Germany is enough. It depends on some factors such as in which city you live, lifestyle, health inssurance and accommodation. Normally a student pays accomodation rent, health inssurance, semester ticket, and grocery on monthly basis. Cost of Living in Germany varies depending on whether you live in metropolitan city or in a small town. 

Accomodation: It depends on the cities, generally accomodation in big cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich and stuttgart are more expensive compared to smaller villages or eastern Germany.

Student Hostel (Dormitries): However, students can stay in student hostels or dormitries, which is a more cheaper option. Dormitries with shared apartments are more affordable than family houses. You need to pay from €300 to € 530 for student dormitries but this range also vary depending on whether you want a single room apartment or family apartment. To get a student hostel you must apply 6 months before entering to the germany because of long queues.

Shared apartments or Private apartments: Shared apartments are cheaper options after student dormitries and the most expensive option is private apartments. For a single room apartment with a bathroom and kitchen you may have to pay between €300 to €1200 or above per month depending on the city.

Health inssurance: in Germany there are two types of health inssurance, Private or public health inssurance. Public health inssurance is compulsory for students. Students pay between €110 to € 130. students above 30 years of old pay voluntary insurance and the minimum contribution is €220 per month.

Transportation: often covered by semester ticket ranging from €250 to €350 per semester depending on the university. If university did not included transportation fee in the semester ticket then you need to buy monthly pass. which can be around €50 to €80. 

 

Comparison Between Providers

FAQ