Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Germany Student Visa

Germany requires proof of finances for a student visa. Most people use a blocked account (Sperrkonto) to show they can cover living costs.

What it is and why you need it

• A blocked account is an account in Germany where your money is locked and released in fixed monthly installments (up to €992/month).
• You show it when applying for a student visa or residence permit as proof you can support yourself.

How much money you must block

• Current amount (2025-2026): €11,904 for 12 months (€992/month).
• This is usually the minimum; you can block more but not less if your embassy asks for this amount.
• For initial student visas, you usually show 12 months, even if your course is longer.

Always check your local German embassy/consulate checklist (e.g. Mumbai, New Delhi) for the exact number.

Popular blocked account providers

All three below are widely accepted, fully online, and work at embassy level.

Fintiba

• Setup fee: ~€159, monthly fee ~€9.90 (exact shown at signup).
• Fast processing, app-based, English support.

Expatrio

• Setup fee: €89, monthly fee: €5.
• Often advertises total transfer ~€12,133 (€11,904 funds + €129 fees + €100 buffer).
• Free German bank account and bundled health-insurance packages are common.

Coracle

• One-time fee: ~€99 for basic blocked account, no monthly maintenance fee.
• Buffer ~€80 (returned with first payout).
• Often cheaper over 12 months; "Prime" bundle can reduce setup fee to ~€59 if you add insurance.

How to pick one:

• Compare total cost (setup + monthly + buffer) and your INR -> EUR transfer cost.
• Check which offers the lowest overall fee and still gives you a German current account you can use after arrival.

Step-by-step setup (no-fluff version)

1. Check your embassy requirements
   Open your embassy's visa checklist and confirm the blocked amount and any preferred providers.

2. Pick a provider
   For most students: Fintiba, Expatrio, or Coracle.

3. Register online
   Create an account, fill your details, and upload:

   • Passport
   • Admission letter or proof you're admitted/applied to a German university

   After approval, you get a blocked account IBAN and exact amount to transfer (blocking sum + fees + buffer).

4. Transfer the money
   Send at least the amount shown (e.g. Expatrio's ~€12,133) to the provider's account.

   • Use the reference number they give you so they can match the transfer
   • Allow 5-10 working days for international transfer plus provider processing

5. Get your Sperrbestätigung
   Once the money is in and blocked, you receive a Sperrbestätigung (blocking confirmation) PDF. It shows your name, blocked amount, and monthly payout (e.g. €992/month). Print it and keep a digital copy.

6. Submit with visa application
   Include the Sperrbestätigung in your visa documents as proof of finances. If your embassy asks for more money or format changes, adjust and re-submit.

After arrival: getting your money in Germany

• Most providers link your Sperrkonto to a German current account (either their own bank account or a partner bank).
• You get up to €992 per month for 12 months; you cannot withdraw everything at once unless the embassy or Ausländerbehörde issues a Sperrfreigabe (release).
• If you extend your residence permit, you may need to top up the blocked account or show other proof (salary, scholarship, etc.).

Quick tips to avoid problems

• Do this early, not last-minute; transfers and KYC can take days.
• Transfer slightly more than the bare minimum or use the provider-recommended total that includes fees and buffer.
• Save all receipts (bank transfer, Sperrbestätigung, emails) in one folder.
• Read the refund policy: if your visa is refused, most providers refund the blocked amount but keep setup/administration fees and bank charges.