Blocked Account Germany: Complete Student Guide
Quick Answer
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a German bank account holding €11,904 — proof to the German Embassy that you can support yourself for 12 months. It is mandatory for your student visa. Popular providers for Indian students: Fintiba, Expatrio, Deutsche Bank.
What is a Blocked Account?
The German government requires every international student to prove they have sufficient funds to cover living costs for the duration of their studies. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is the standard way to satisfy this requirement.
You deposit money into a specialised German bank account. The account is "blocked" — meaning you cannot access the full amount at once. After you arrive in Germany, a fixed monthly amount is released to you. This prevents the account from being emptied immediately and confirms ongoing financial support.
Importantly, this is entirely your money. It is not a fee, not a deposit you lose, and not given to the German government. You are simply proving you have it and will access it gradually.
How Much Do You Need to Deposit?
Always verify the current required amount on the German Embassy website before depositing. The figure above is based on 2025/26 government rates and is reviewed each year.
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Fintiba
RecommendedDigital · Fee: ~€89
- HDFC bank integration
- Popular with Indian students
- Fast digital process
- Embassy-accepted
Expatrio
RecommendedDigital · Fee: Competitive
- Fully digital process
- Simple application
- Bundled insurance options
- Embassy-accepted
Deutsche Bank
Traditional bank · Fee: Lower fee
- Established German bank
- May require in-person steps
- Takes longer to process
- No India-specific integrations
For Indian students, Fintiba and Expatrio are the recommended choices — both offer fully digital onboarding and HDFC bank integration for transfers.
How to Open a Blocked Account
Go to Fintiba.com or Expatrio.com
Both are fully digital. Create an account and begin the application form.
Fill in the application
Provide your personal details, target university, and enrollment date. This takes about 15–20 minutes.
Get your IBAN and transfer the funds
Transfer €11,904 (or the current required amount) from your Indian bank account via HDFC or any SWIFT-enabled bank. International transfers take 2–5 business days.
Wait for confirmation
Once funds are received and verified, the provider confirms. This takes 5–10 business days in total from transfer.
Receive your blocked account certificate
Downloaded from your provider's portal. This is the document you include in your visa application.
Include certificate in your visa documents
Print the certificate and submit it with your visa application at the German consulate.
After You Arrive in Germany
Your blocked account is activated after you complete your address registration (Anmeldung) at the local residents' registration office. Once activated, €992 is released to you each month.
You will need a separate current account for day-to-day transactions. Popular options for international students are N26, DKB, and Deutsche Bank — all can be opened with your residence permit after arrival.
The blocked account and your current account are separate. The monthly release from the blocked account is transferred to your linked current account. Do not attempt to use the blocked account as your primary spending account.
Common Mistakes
Applying too late — the process takes 1–2 weeks; start immediately after your admission letter
Depositing the wrong amount — verify the current requirement before transferring
Not reading the provider's fee structure — service fees vary between providers
Treating the blocked account as a current account — it releases funds monthly, not on demand