German Blocked Account for International Students 2026

The German Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) amount for 2026 is EUR 11,904 for a 12-month stay, requiring a monthly deposit of €992. This financial proof is a mandatory requirement for international students and job-seekers from non-EU countries to secure a German National Visa.

A Blocked Account in Germany is a bank account in which international students looking to study in Germany are required to transfer at least 11,904 euros. This is required to prove to the German authorities that you have enough money to live and study in Germany. This Blocked account Germany amount will be blocked in the bank until the student arrives in Germany. The student would be allowed to withdraw €992 every month to cover living expenses in Germany.

To activate your blocked bank account in Germany, one has to mandatorily open a current account in Germany in a bank of their choice. The top banks to open a blocked account in Germany are Expatrio, Fintiba, Studely, Coracle, Drop Money, and ICICI Bank.

What is a Blocked Account in Germany?

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a special bank account required for international students and visa applicants in Germany. It is used as proof that you have enough money to cover your living expenses while staying in the country.

In this account, you must deposit a fixed amount before entering Germany. The money is not a fee. It is your own money, but it is kept blocked. You cannot withdraw the full amount at once. Instead, you can use a limited amount every month for expenses like rent, food, and transport.

The required amount is about €11,904 per year, and you can withdraw around €992 per month. This amount is set by German authorities based on the average cost of living for students. A blocked account helps prove your financial stability and ensures you can manage your expenses safely while studying in Germany. For Indian students, opening a blocked account is usually the second step in the financial journey, often following the mandatory APS India verification process, which validates your academic credentials.

What is The Required Amount for a Blocked Account?

The Germany blocked account amount is €11,904 for one full year. This equals €992 per month.

You must deposit this full amount into your blocked account before you apply for the visa or arrive in Germany. After you reach Germany and complete your address registration (Anmeldung), the provider releases only €992 each month for your living expenses like rent, food, health insurance, and transport. The rest of the money stays blocked until next month.

This €11,904 (or €992 per month) is the standard minimum requirement set by the German government for most non-EU/EEA students. It has stayed the same since September 2024 (Winter Semester 2024/2025) and continues without change in 2026. If you are planning to work alongside your studies, remember that Germany has updated its rules in 2026 to allow students to work for 140 full days per year. Earnings from a part-time job in Germany can help supplement your monthly €992 withdrawal, especially in expensive cities like Munich or Frankfurt.

How much money should be in a blocked account in Germany?

One can check the year-wise Blocked account Germany amount from below to have a better insight. 

Why is the blocked amount €992 per month?

The €992 per month for the German blocked account is not a random number. It comes straight from Germany’s official student support system called BAfOG.

BAfOG is short for Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz. It is the German government’s program that gives money (grants and loans) to German students who need help to pay for studies and living costs. The BAföG amount shows the minimum money the German government believes one student needs every month to live on their own. It covers a basic basket of goods, including food, clothing, housing, and mandatory health insurance for students.

For international students, Germany uses the same BAföG amount as the rule for the blocked account. This keeps things fair: both German students and students from other countries must show they can cover the same basic living costs. Right now (2025 and 2026), the BAföG rate is €992 per month. This amount started in late 2024 and has not changed yet.

Here is the easy breakdown of €992:

• €480 is for food, clothes, and daily personal things
• €382 is for rent and housing costs
• €100 is for extra for health insurance
• €30 is for extra for long-term care insurance

Total = €992 per month

The German government checks and updates this BAföG rate from time to time because prices (like rent and food) go up with inflation. That is why the blocked amount sometimes increases..

Main points to remember:

• €992 per month is the official minimum for most student visas.
• It is used for non-EU/EEA students who open a blocked account (Sperrkonto).
• This amount covers only basic needs, not luxury spending or big cities with very high rent.
• Always check with your German embassy or consulate, because they may ask for a little more in special cases.

Germany makes sure every student can support themselves during studies. It is a clear and fair rule for everyone applying for a German student visa.

Best Blocked Account Providers for International Students in 2026

The three most popular and trusted blocked account providers for international students in 2026 are Expatrio, Fintiba, and Coracle. All three are fully accepted by German embassies and consulates worldwide. They let you open the account online from your home country, get the blocking confirmation (Sperrbescheinigung) quickly, and release €992 per month after you arrive in Germany.

These providers are safe, easy to use, and have good English support. The main differences are in fees, speed, extra services, and banking setup.

• Expatrio - Great all-around choice with low fees and helpful extras like visa guidance and health insurance bundles.
• Fintiba - Premium option with a real German bank partner, very reliable, but higher fees.
• Coracle - Cheapest for long-term use with no monthly fees in the first year, uses an escrow model.

Here is a simple comparison table for 2026 (based on current fees and student feedback):

Note: Fees can change slightly, and some providers offer discounts or packages (like health insurance). Visit the official website before signing up. There is often a small buffer amount (€80–€100) that you deposit extra. 

Expatrio vs Fintiba vs Coracle: Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose Expatrio if you want the best balance. It has reasonable fees (€89 setup + €5/month), very fast processing, and great extras like bundled health insurance and visa help. Many students pick Expatrio because it is affordable and user-friendly.
• Choose Fintiba if you prefer a German bank and premium service. It costs more (€159 setup + €9.90/month), but it feels more "official" and has strong support. Good if you want everything top-quality and don't mind paying extra.
• Choose Coracle if you want to save money over time. Setup is €99 (or lower with packages), and there are no monthly fees in the first year. It is the cheapest option for students who plan to stay longer or extend the account.

How to Open a German Blocked Account?

To open a Sperrkonto, you usually need a valid passport and, in some cases, your university admission letter. The process is entirely digital: you register on the provider’s portal, upload your documents, and receive your personalized IBAN. You then transfer the €11,904 plus a small buffer for bank fees. Once the money hits the account, you receive the confirmation document required for your German student visa application.

A student would need an admission letter from a university in Germany to open this German Blocked Account. While you can open this German Blocked Account in any bank in Germany, in India, the student can open a German Blocked Account with any branch of Kotak Mahindra Bank or ICICI Bank. Once the student travels to Germany, the account is transferred to a local branch near the university. Candidates should keep in mind that this is a mandatory practice applicable to all international students who choose to pursue higher education in Germany. Due to the amount of money involved, it is highly recommended that the student be involved in the entire process.  You then transfer the €11,904 plus a small buffer for bank fees. Once the money hits the account, you receive the confirmation document required for your German student visa application.

Candidates should note that not all banks are regulated by law to operate Blocked Accounts. Hence, there may be banks that do not provide this service. Candidates can check with the university representatives for a list of banks that are close to the campus and provide a blocked account service. 

Documents required to open a Blocked Account in Germany

• Application Form
• Valid passport
• University admission letter
• A bank statement that confirms you have the required amount of money to open a blocked account
• A prepaid fee

NOTE: You may be required to submit more documents, depending on the bank provider and your country of origin.

Candidates can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with German University admissions. Candidates can write to us with their queries in the comments section below.