Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) in Germany in 2026: How Much You Need and How to Replace It

If you are not an EU citizen and want to study in Germany, your student visa application must prove you can afford to live there. The most common way to do this is a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Here is how much to deposit in 2026 and what the alternatives are.

The main point

A Sperrkonto (literally "blocked account") is a special account at a German bank. You deposit a full year's living costs in advance, the money is "frozen," and after you arrive in Germany you can only withdraw a fixed amount each month.

This shows the embassy that you have money to live on and won't spend it all in the first month. Without proof of funds, a student visa is almost certain to be refused.

How much you need in 2026

For students:

• €992 per month
• €11,904 for the year in advance (12 × €992)

This is the official amount for students confirmed by Germany's Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) as of 2025. For 2026, reliable sources confirm the amount is unchanged.

The figure is tied to the maximum rate of Germany's BAföG student grant and is reviewed every year. So before transferring money, always check the current figure on the website of the embassy where you will apply.

For the job-seeker visa and the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), the amount is higher — roughly €1,091 per month (€13,092 per year). That is about 10% more than the student amount.

Important: deposit a buffer. If bank fees mean even a few euros less than the minimum arrive in the account, the embassy may reject your application. Many people transfer €12,000–€12,100 to safely clear the minimum after fees.

The alternatives

A Sperrkonto is not the only way to prove your finances. The Auswärtiges Amt lists other options:

1. Verpflichtungserklärung — a formal declaration of commitment from a sponsor living in Germany (a relative or acquaintance) who guarantees in writing to cover your costs. It is arranged at the foreigners' authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany.
2. Scholarship (Stipendium) from a recognized German organization: DAAD, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Max Planck Institute, or a university's own scholarship. The scholarship must cover at least the same monthly amount; if it is lower, you must prove the difference another way.
3. Your own funds in an EU bank account — you must show a sufficient and available balance (not a credit line). Ordinary savings accounts are not always accepted; the money must be available at any time.
4. Parents' income — some embassies accept proof of parents' income and financial situation. This is a less reliable option and often requires additional evidence.

The exact documents accepted are decided by each individual embassy. Check its website in advance.

Where to open a Sperrkonto

You can open the account at any German bank permitted to do banking business in Germany — you do not need to travel to the country, it is all done online.

In practice, students usually use specialized providers that open the account from abroad within a few days. The best known are Fintiba and Expatrio. The provider Coracle has not accepted new applications since August 2025.

The Auswärtiges Amt stresses that there is no official "approved" list, and naming a provider on its website is not a recommendation. Check current fees and terms on the provider's own site — their prices change.

What to do next

1. Check your embassy's website for the current amount and which proof-of-funds methods it accepts.
2. Decide what suits you: Sperrkonto, scholarship, Verpflichtungserklärung, or your own funds.
3. If using a Sperrkonto, open it early (ideally 6–8 weeks before your embassy appointment) and transfer a buffer for fees.
4. Keep the blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) — you must attach it to your visa application.

Amounts and rules are reviewed annually and may differ between embassies. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the figures on your embassy's website before transferring money.