Blocked account in Germany 2026: amounts, how to open and how to budget
The Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) requires, in 2026, that international students deposit EUR 11,904 in a blocked account before obtaining a higher education visa. For language courses, that amount rises to EUR 13,092. The difference exists because the two groups use distinct visa categories, and each has its own minimum financial requirement fixed by law.
Understanding how this instrument works, which amount applies to your case and how to open the account before even leaving home is what separates a stalled visa process from one resolved in weeks.
What is the blocked account and why does it exist?
The Sperrkonto is a special bank account in which the balance is blocked and only released monthly, in fixed instalments. It is not a simple proof of income: it is the legal guarantee that the student can cover their stay without relying on German public assistance.
Three characteristics define the instrument:
- Progressive release: the total balance is retained and released in fixed monthly instalments, not all at once.
- Visa link: the certificate issued by the platform is accepted directly by the consulate as financial proof.
- Student ownership: the money is not transferred to any entity. It is held in the applicant's own account.
German immigration law requires those applying for a student visa to prove financial capacity for the entire study period. The blocked account is the most widely accepted means at consulates because it is verifiable, standardised and auditable.
What are the amounts in 2026?
The financial requirement varies according to the type of visa:
- Higher education and master's (§ 16b AufenthG): EUR 992 per month, totalling EUR 11,904 for 12 months. This amount is indexed to the BAföG (German public student funding system) and updated periodically by the Auswärtiges Amt.
- Language course (§ 16f AufenthG): EUR 1,091 per month, totalling EUR 13,092 for 12 months. The higher amount reflects the difference between visa categories: language course students do not have access to the same student benefits as university students.
Both amounts were confirmed by the Auswärtiges Amt for 2026. If the visa is requested for a period of less than 12 months, the deposit is calculated proportionally to the number of months.
The visa to study in Germany in 2026 requires the blocked account certificate alongside the institution's acceptance letter and health insurance. A file without a Sperrkonto is the main reason for consular refusal.
How to open the blocked account step by step
The process is entirely online and can be completed before leaving the country of origin. The main steps are:
- Choose the platform. The most widely used by international students are Expatrio, Fintiba and Coracle. Deutsche Bank also accepts Sperrkonto opening for non-residents. All issue documentation recognised by German consulates.
- Create your account on the chosen platform. Registration requires a valid passport, proof of enrolment or acceptance letter from the educational institution (or enrolment confirmation for the language course) and your current address in your home country.
- Deposit the corresponding amount. The transfer can be made in local currency (platforms convert at the day's exchange rate) or directly in euros. The minimum amount is equivalent to the number of months of the visa multiplied by the monthly amount required.
- Receive the certificate. After the deposit is confirmed, the platform issues an official document that is presented to the consulate along with the other visa documents.
- In Germany, access the monthly withdrawals. After arrival, you register a local bank account and the system automatically releases the monthly amount. The student does not need to request each withdrawal: they occur on the agreed schedule.
The financial proof required to study in Germany can take other forms: a guarantor letter, a confirmed scholarship, a joint family account. The Sperrkonto is the most widely accepted, regardless of nationality.
Which banks and platforms accept international students?
The choice of platform affects the opening time and the maintenance cost. The main options are:
- Expatrio: specialised in international students, with account opening in up to 2 business days after the confirmed deposit.
- Fintiba: one of the first platforms widely accepted by German consulates. Fully digital process, with no need to send physical documents.
- Coracle: partner of several German universities, offers blocked account opening combined with health insurance.
- Deutsche Bank: traditional option for those who prefer a physical bank. Requires more documentation and the process takes longer, but the certificate has a high level of acceptance.
- Revolut: accepted at some consulates, but not universally. Confirm with the specific consulate before choosing this route.
The bank accounts in Germany for exchange students have specific opening rules for non-residents. Opening the current account shortly after arrival is what allows you to receive the monthly Sperrkonto withdrawals and pay day-to-day expenses.
How much you will withdraw per month and how to plan the budget
The monthly balance released is exactly the minimum required amount: EUR 992 for university students or EUR 1,091 for language course students. That amount covers the essentials, but the cost of living varies significantly between cities.
How the monthly withdrawal breaks down in practice:
- Berlin and Leipzig: EUR 992 covers rent in shared accommodation and basic food with some margin.
- Munich and Hamburg: the average rent for a single room exceeds EUR 700 according to Numbeo, leaving little room for transport and leisure.
- Smaller university cities (Freiburg, Marburg, Göttingen): lower housing costs provide more breathing room with the same withdrawal.
The smartest approach is to deposit more than the minimum. The Sperrkonto accepts amounts above the required minimum, and withdrawals will follow the same monthly schedule. An extra buffer covers the first months before having a mini-job or paid internship.
Watch real money-saving tips for students in Germany:
Two useful resources to calibrate the budget:
- The cost of living in Germany in 2026 compares expenses by city and helps define the deposit above the minimum.
- The exchange programme in Germany has a more predictable financial structure than it seems: the blocked account, the Deutschlandticket and public health cover reduce the variables that complicate planning.
How long does it take to open and when to start
The average opening time varies between 2 and 5 business days at specialised digital platforms, after bank deposit confirmation. The processing time at the consulate, on the other hand, can take 4 to 12 weeks depending on the city of origin and demand in that period.
The recommended sequence is:
- Confirm acceptance at the educational institution.
- Take out health insurance valid for Germany.
- Open the Sperrkonto and deposit the amount.
- With the blocked account certificate and the other documents, schedule the consulate appointment.
Starting at least 3 months in advance gives room for unexpected delays. The document checklist for the German student visa includes all the items that make up the complete file.
Two useful resources for this final stage:
- The visa to study in Germany in 2026 has specific requirements by applicant profile, worth checking before scheduling the consulate appointment.
- The study and work in Germany selection from Be Easy covers everything from guidance on the Sperrkonto to arrival support.
Frequently asked questions about the blocked account in Germany
Does the money in the blocked account belong to me or to the German government?
The money is entirely yours. The Sperrkonto works as a custody account: the balance is retained as a visa guarantee, but it is released monthly directly to your German current account. No amount is transferred to the government or to the educational institution.
Can I use any bank to open the blocked account?
No. The bank or platform must be recognised by German consulates. The most universally accepted options are Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle and Deutsche Bank. Revolut works at some consulates, but not all: confirm with the specific consulate in your country before choosing.
What is the exact amount I need to deposit in 2026?
It depends on the type of visa. For higher education and master's (§ 16b AufenthG), the amount is EUR 992 per month, totalling EUR 11,904 for 12 months. For a language course (§ 16f AufenthG), the amount is EUR 1,091 per month, totalling EUR 13,092. Both amounts are set by the Auswärtiges Amt for 2026.
Can I deposit more than the required minimum?
Yes, and it is advisable. The blocked account accepts amounts above the minimum, and the monthly withdrawals will follow the same schedule. Depositing an extra buffer reduces financial risk in the first months, especially while you do not yet have a mini-job or paid internship.
How long does it take to open the blocked account?
At specialised digital platforms (Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle), the process takes between 2 and 5 business days after deposit confirmation. Deutsche Bank may take longer due to additional documentation requirements. Consider starting the process at least 3 months in advance, as the consulate appointment may have a wait of 4 to 12 weeks.
Be Easy: boutique study abroad consultancy
Be Easy supports international students who want to build a solid pathway in Germany, from guidance on the Sperrkonto through to arrival and the first months in the country. If you are planning to study or work in Germany and want to ensure all your documentation is correct before scheduling the consulate appointment, we have the right curated selection for that. Speak with a dedicated senior consultant and get in touch with us.
