Germany Blocked Account Guide: Amount, Providers & Process (2026)
Everything about the German blocked account (Sperrkonto) for Indian students — the €11,904 requirement, how Expatrio, Fintiba and Deutsche Bank compare, and the step-by-step process.
Direct answer: to get a German student visa in 2026, you must show €11,904 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — that's €992/month for one year, roughly ₹13.1 lakh. It is your own money: after arrival, it's paid back to you monthly. The whole setup can be done online in under a week.
Not sure how the blocked account fits into your total budget? Run the cost calculator — it includes the blocked account, insurance, and setup costs for Germany by city.
What a blocked account actually is
Germany requires every self-funded international student to prove they can cover their first year of living costs. Instead of bank statements (which can fluctuate), Germany uses a dedicated account where the money is "blocked" — you transfer the full amount before your visa appointment, and you cannot withdraw it freely. Once you arrive and activate the account, it releases €992 to your German bank account every month.
Think of it as forced budgeting, not a fee. Your real costs are only the provider's charges.
The 2026 amount — and why you should double-check it
- Current requirement: €11,904/year (€992/month) — in force since September 2024
- The figure tracks Germany's BAföG student support rate and is reviewed periodically — it was €11,208 before September 2024 and €10,332 before 2023
- Some students transfer a small buffer (€100–200) above the minimum to absorb transfer fees — your visa file must show at least the required amount
Verify the current amount on the German Embassy India website before transferring. Transferring last year's figure and falling short at the visa appointment is a documented, avoidable rejection reason.
Provider comparison
All three below are accepted by German Missions in India. Fees shown are typical published rates — check current pricing before opening.
| Expatrio | Fintiba | Deutsche Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Online provider | Online provider | Traditional bank |
| Account opening | 1–2 working days | 1–2 working days | 2–6 weeks |
| Process | Fully online | Fully online | Paper forms + embassy attestation |
| Setup fee | ~€49–69 | ~€89 | ~€150 |
| Monthly fee | ~€5 | ~€4.90 | — (account charges apply) |
| Health insurance bundle | Yes (often discounts setup fee) | Yes | No |
| Payout after arrival | Via linked German account | Via linked German account | Deutsche Bank account |
Practical take: most Indian students choose Expatrio or Fintiba for speed and the insurance bundle; both are established and embassy-accepted. Deutsche Bank still works but its paper process regularly adds 3–6 weeks — risky if your visa appointment is close. (Disclosure: we may add partner links for blocked-account providers in future — if we do, they'll be labeled, and this comparison's contents won't change because of it. How we make money.)
Step-by-step process
- Get your admit letter (you'll need it, plus passport, for the application)
- Open the account online — 15-minute form, upload passport + admission letter
- Transfer €11,904 + provider fee from India — your bank's wire transfer or a forex service; compare exchange rates, as a 1% spread on ₹13L is ₹13,000
- Receive the blocking confirmation (usually within 1–2 working days of funds arriving) — this PDF goes in your visa file
- Attend your visa appointment with the confirmation
- After arriving in Germany: open a regular German bank account, complete city registration (Anmeldung), then activate the blocked account with your provider
- Receive €992/month for twelve months
Timing note: funds take 2–5 working days to reach the provider from India. Start the process at least two weeks before your visa appointment.
Ways to reduce or skip it
- Full scholarship (DAAD and similar) covering living costs — the award letter replaces the blocked account
- Verpflichtungserklärung — a formal sponsorship by a resident of Germany who proves their income to German authorities
- A shorter blocking period is possible for programs under 12 months — the amount scales at €992/month
For most self-funded students, none of these apply — budget the full €11,904 into your loan amount if you're borrowing. Education loans routinely cover blocked-account funding, and lenders are familiar with the disbursal-to-Sperrkonto flow.
Common mistakes
- Transferring the old amount (€11,208) — instant shortfall at the visa stage
- Underestimating transfer time — the confirmation isn't instant; banks add holidays and compliance checks
- Ignoring the exchange-rate spread — on ₹13 lakh, the difference between a good and bad rate is real money
- Assuming the blocked account covers everything — €992/month is survival budget in Munich; comfortable in Leipzig. Check your city
- Forgetting activation after arrival — no activation, no monthly payout