A blocked account (called a Sperrkonto in German) is a special type of bank account required by the German government as proof that you have enough money to support yourself while living in Germany. International students, job seekers, and other visa applicants typically need one. The key feature: you deposit a full year’s worth of living expenses upfront, but you can only withdraw a fixed monthly amount, ensuring you have steady funding throughout your stay.
How a Blocked Account Works
When you apply for a German student visa or certain other residence permits, the embassy or consulate needs proof you won’t run out of money. A blocked account serves as that proof. You deposit the required total into the account before your visa interview, and the funds are locked. Once you arrive in Germany and activate the account, a set amount is released to you each month, similar to receiving a paycheck. You cannot withdraw the entire balance at once.
The monthly release is designed to last the full duration your deposit covers. If you deposited 12 months’ worth of funds, you get one-twelfth released each month. This structure protects both you and the German authorities: you always have money for rent and groceries, and the government knows visa holders aren’t arriving with funds they immediately drain.
How Much You Need to Deposit
The required amount is €11,904 per year, which works out to €992 per month. This figure is set by the German government and represents the minimum they consider necessary to cover basic living costs. The amount stayed the same from 2025 into 2026, though it can be adjusted in future years.
Some providers also require a small buffer on top of the €11,904. Expatrio, for example, asks for an additional €100 to cover potential transaction fees. That buffer gets returned to you with your final monthly payout when the account closes.
If your program lasts less than 12 months, you may only need to deposit the corresponding number of monthly installments. The embassy reviewing your visa application will confirm exactly how many months of proof you need.
Who Needs a Blocked Account
The most common group is international students coming to Germany from outside the European Union. If you’re applying for a German student visa, a blocked account is nearly always part of the required documentation. Job seekers applying under Germany’s Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) and certain other visa categories also need to show the same financial proof, and a blocked account is the standard way to do it.
EU citizens generally don’t need one, since they have the right to live and work in Germany without a visa. Citizens of a few other countries with special agreements may also be exempt.
Where to Open One
You can’t use a regular bank account. Blocked accounts must be opened with an approved provider that the German government recognizes. The process is done entirely online before you leave your home country, which is important since you need the account confirmation for your visa application.
Expatrio is one of the most widely used providers. Their setup fee is €89, with a monthly maintenance fee of €5. Other approved providers include Deutsche Bank and Fintiba, each with their own fee structures. Setup fees across providers generally range from free to around €150, and monthly fees hover between €0 and €5. Compare the total cost over your expected stay, not just the setup fee.
The application process typically involves uploading your passport, filling out personal details, and transferring the required deposit via international bank transfer. Processing times vary, but most providers issue the confirmation letter you need for your visa within a few days of receiving your deposit.
Activating the Account After Arrival
When you first open the account, you designate a beneficiary, which is either the German embassy where you applied for your visa or the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in the city where you’ll live. This beneficiary essentially oversees the account’s restrictions until you arrive and register.
Once you’re in Germany, you’ll need to complete your city registration, get your residence permit, and then follow your provider’s activation steps. After activation, the monthly payouts begin flowing into a regular German bank account that you’ll want to open shortly after arrival. The entire activation process usually takes a few weeks, so plan to have some extra cash on hand for your first days in the country.
Getting Your Money Back if Your Visa Is Denied
If your visa application is rejected, you can get your deposit back. The formal rejection letter from the embassy is usually enough for the bank or provider to release your funds. You contact the provider directly, submit the rejection letter, and they process the refund.
Things get slightly more complicated if you withdrew your application voluntarily or never received a formal rejection letter. In that case, you may need to book a consular appointment to get an official declaration confirming you won’t be using the visa. This appointment carries a small fee of around €36. Each applicant needs their own separate appointment, and the consulate won’t contact the bank on your behalf, so you’ll still need to handle the refund request yourself.
If you’re still on a waiting list or have a visa appointment scheduled that hasn’t happened yet, cancel or withdraw from the process first and bring proof of that cancellation to your consular appointment.
What Happens When the Account Runs Out
Once all monthly installments have been paid out, the blocked account simply closes. If you’re staying in Germany beyond that point, whether because you extended your studies or transitioned to a work visa, you’ll need to show other proof of financial support for any visa renewals. That could mean opening a new blocked account for the next year, showing employment income, or providing a scholarship letter. Your provider will return any remaining buffer amount with the final payout.