Under current regulations in Germany, if you’re an international student from a non-EU or non-EEA country, you must prove you have the financial resources (Finanzierungsnachweis) to cover your living expenses in Germany.

 

As of November 2023, the annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa is €11,208.

 

Every month you will receive €934 after activating it once you have arrived in Germany. The German blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) is designed to serve international students and job-seekers as proof of financial resources for living in Germany for a year and is a requirement when applying for a German student visa or a student residence permit.

 

Studying in Germany without a blocked account is possible if you can prove to German authorities that you have sufficient funds through any of the following alternatives:

 

• Document of your parent’s income and financial status

• Scholarship Certificate from a recognized scholarship provider

• Letter of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung): Through this document, a permanent resident of Germany (a relative or a friend) can guarantee they will cover all your expenses during your time as a student

• Bank guarantee in which you get a loan and the bank guarantees that they will pay all of your financial obligations during your stay in Germany 

 

Blocked Account Providers

In Germany, numerous providers offer blocked accounts. However, not all are officially endorsed by the German authorities. Selecting a reputable provider is crucial, otherwise, it could jeopardize your student visa approval. Expatrio, Fintiba and Coracle are the most preferred providers in general. 

 

Documents required

The required documents to open a blocked account may vary depending on your nationality and your chosen bank account provider.

With Expatrio, for example, you only need your passport to register and create your account, and you will get your account activation confirmation within 24 hours.

 

How to withdraw money from the Blocked Account?

You can withdraw money from your blocked account once you settle in Germany and have registered your address at the city administration office. Then you need to open an international student bank account in Germany, where your blocked money will be transferred every month.

You’re allowed to withdraw a maximum of €934 per month from the blocked account unless you’ve deposited more money than the required minimum. This amount of money will be transferred from your blocked account to your regular account or international student bank account. From there, you can freely withdraw your money.