Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Germany in 2026: Amount, Providers and Step-by-Step Setup

What is a blocked account and why does Germany require it?

A blocked account is a German bank account you can pay into but cannot withdraw from freely. After you arrive, a fixed amount is released to you each month. It is the most common way to give the German embassy proof of financial resources — evidence that you can cover living costs for your first year without relying on public funds.

The required amount is not arbitrary: it follows the maximum rate of BAföG, Germany’s federal student support, and the Federal Foreign Office adopts it as the proof-of-funds threshold. When the BAföG rate changes, the blocked-account amount changes with it.

How much money do you need in 2026?

Most embassies ask for the full year up front, even if your programme starts mid-year. On top of the required balance, providers usually add a small buffer for their own fees, so budget a little more than the minimum when you transfer.

Are there alternatives to a blocked account?

Yes, though they are used less often:

• Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung): a person living in Germany signs at their local immigration office that they will cover your costs. They must show sufficient income.
• Scholarship: a scholarship from a recognised German or international funder that covers living costs can replace the blocked account, fully or partly.
• Combination: some embassies accept a partial blocked account topped up by a scholarship or obligation letter.

Which alternatives are accepted, and in what form, is decided by your embassy. If you are unsure, the blocked account is the option every German mission accepts.

Which providers can open a blocked account?

The Federal Foreign Office lists the providers it accepts. The specialist providers work fully online, issue the confirmation letter quickly and are what most international students use. Many also bundle the health insurance you will need anyway, which saves a second application.

• Compare the one-time setup fee and the monthly account fee — together they decide the real cost over a year.
• Check how quickly the confirmation letter is issued after your money arrives.
• Check whether the provider offers health insurance in the same package.
• Make sure the provider is on the list your embassy accepts.

How do you open a blocked account, step by step?

1. Get your admission letter first (or at least know the start date), because the visa appointment depends on it.
2. Choose a provider and complete the online application with your passport details.
3. Transfer the full amount from your home bank. International transfers can take several working days, and your bank may need source-of-funds documents.
4. Download the confirmation letter once the money has arrived. This is the document the embassy wants.
5. Attach it to your visa application together with your admission letter and proof of health insurance.
6. After arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) and activate the account. The first monthly payout follows.

How does the monthly payout work after you arrive?

Once the account is activated, €992 is transferred each month to a regular German current account in your name — you can usually open one with the same provider or any German bank. You cannot take out more than the monthly amount, which is the point of the account: it guarantees your first year is covered.

If you leave Germany, your visa is refused, or you end your studies, the remaining balance is paid back to you. Keep the refusal letter or proof of departure: providers ask for it before releasing the money.

Which mistakes delay students most often?

• Opening the account too late, so the confirmation letter is not ready for the visa appointment.
• Transferring slightly less than required because the bank deducted transfer fees on the way.
• Using a provider your embassy does not accept.
• Forgetting that the blocked account covers living costs only — tuition fees (for example in Baden-Württemberg) and the semester contribution come on top. See what studying in Germany really costs.

What comes next?

With the blocked account confirmation in hand, the remaining pieces of the visa application are health insurance and the student visa application itself. To see whether €992 a month is enough for your city, use the living cost calculator.