A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a German bank account that holds the money you need for your first year and releases only a fixed amount each month. For a German student visa in 2026 you need at least 11,904 € in the account, which is 992 € for each of 12 months, according to the German missions in India and Pakistan. If you apply to search for a study place instead, the Consular Services Portal sets 1,091 € a month. After you arrive, you can withdraw at most 992 € a month, the rest stays blocked.
Why does Germany ask for a blocked account?
Germany asks every non-EU student to prove they can pay their living costs without public support. The Federal Foreign Office says the required amount is based on the maximum support German students receive, which is the BAföG rate. A blocked account is the simplest way to show this because the money cannot be spent at once. For example, a student who blocks 11,904 € cannot withdraw it all in the first month and run out of money by spring.
Before your visa is issued or used, the German mission abroad is the beneficiary of the block. After you arrive, the local foreigners authority takes over. Neither of them can take your money, they only control when it is released.
How much money do you need in 2026?
The amount depends on the purpose of your visa and how long you stay. For studies, the German missions in India and Pakistan state 992 € a month and 11,904 € a year. The Consular Services Portal sets 1,091 € a month for applicants searching for a study place. The table shows common periods.
| Months | Studies (992 € a month) | Study place search (1,091 € a month) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5,952 € | 6,546 € |
| 9 | 8,928 € | 9,819 € |
| 12 | 11,904 € | 13,092 € |
Most missions ask for 12 months. The German mission in Pakistan notes that in particular cases it may ask for up to two years, so read the checklist for your country before you transfer the money.
Which banks and providers can you use?
You can open a blocked account with any bank or provider that offers one. The Federal Foreign Office used to publish a list of providers, but it says this list was deleted in 2022 and that being on it was never a recommendation. It has no business relationship with any provider and accepts no liability if a payment fails.
Compare providers on what affects you, not on advertising. Check the set-up fee, the monthly fee, how long the confirmation takes, whether the mission in your country accepts the provider, and how you get the money released if your plans change. For example, the German mission in Pakistan requires the provider to give the authorities access to the account and asks you to have your signature attested at the mission for 25 €.
How do you open a blocked account step by step?
- Check your mission’s checklist. Confirm the amount and the number of months for your visa type.
- Choose a provider. Compare fees and the time to issue the confirmation.
- Open the account online. Identify yourself as the provider asks.
- Transfer the money. Send the full amount plus any fees, so that the full required amount arrives after bank charges.
- Get the blocking confirmation. The German mission in India asks that it states no more than 992 € a month can be withdrawn.
- Add it to your visa file. Upload or bring the confirmation as your mission asks.
Here is a typical case. A student from Pune with a Master’s admission for October opens a blocked account in May. The bank in India deducts a transfer charge, so 11,880 € arrives instead of 11,904 €, and the provider asks for the missing 24 €. The confirmation arrives a week later than planned, but still before the visa appointment because the student started early.
What happens after you arrive in Germany?
After you arrive, the provider pays out a fixed monthly amount, for studies at most 992 €, to the account you give it. You use this for rent, food and insurance. The blocked amount covers your first year only, so plan early how you will pay for the second year. Our finances guide lists typical monthly costs.
Can you get the money back if your visa is refused?
Yes. The Federal Foreign Office says the refusal notice is enough to lift the block. If you never applied, withdrew your application, did not use the visa or left Germany before getting a residence permit, the mission can issue a consular certificate so the provider releases the money. If you are already in Germany, the foreigners authority handles it. Fees you already paid are usually not refunded, so read the provider’s terms.
What are the alternatives to a blocked account?
The Federal Foreign Office accepts other proof of finance as well. You can use proof of your parents’ income and assets, a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone living in Germany, a bank guarantee from a German bank renewed every year, or a scholarship. A scholarship counts if it comes from German public funds or a recognised organisation, or from your home country’s public funds when the Federal Foreign Office, the DAAD or another German scholarship organisation placed you.
Some missions add their own rules. For example, the German mission in Pakistan accepts only HEC scholarships as proof, and the mission in India also mentions education loans. Check what your mission accepts before you choose.
Common mistakes
- Sending exactly 11,904 €. Bank charges can reduce what arrives. Send a little more.
- Opening the account too late. The confirmation must be ready before your visa appointment.
- Using an old amount. Older pages still show 934 €. The 2026 amount is 992 € a month.
- Forgetting the second year. The blocked amount covers the first year only.
Frequently asked questions
Is the blocked account amount the same for every country?
The 992 € monthly amount applies to student visas in general. Some missions ask for more months or extra steps, so always follow the checklist of the mission for your place of residence.
Do I need a blocked account for a scholarship?
Not if the scholarship covers your living costs and is accepted as proof of finance. A DAAD Master’s scholarship, for example, pays 992 € a month.
Will the amount change in 2027?
Possibly. The amount follows the maximum BAföG support rate, and no official 2027 figure has been published yet.
Where to start
Find your mission’s current checklist and confirm the amount for your visa. Then compare two or three providers on fees and timing and open the account as soon as you have your admission letter. The rest of the visa file is on our German student visa page.