German blocked account (Sperrkonto): the complete guide

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page (Expatrio, Fintiba, Feather, ottonova) are affiliate links marked as sponsored. If you open an account or buy insurance through them, Hodolist may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we write. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.

What is a blocked account?

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a special bank account used to prove to the German authorities that you can pay for your living costs during your stay. You deposit a fixed sum before you apply for your visa. After you arrive in Germany, the provider pays out a fixed amount to your regular bank account each month. You cannot withdraw more than that monthly amount — that is the "blocked" part.

The German mission sees the blocked account confirmation as evidence that you won't need public funds while you study, train or look for work. A missing or incorrect confirmation can delay your application, so it is worth getting right.

Who needs one?

• Students applying for a student visa or a visa to prepare for studies, unless they have a scholarship or a sponsor's declaration of commitment.
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) applicants, who must prove they can support themselves for the stay. Check your eligibility with our points calculator.
• Language course participants, au pairs in some cases, and people coming for recognition measures — check the requirements for your specific visa.

Skilled workers who already have a job contract or an EU Blue Card offer normally prove their income via the contract instead and do not need a blocked account.

How much do you need to deposit?

The required amount is set by the German government and linked to student support (BAföG) rates, so it changes every year or two. The figures below are the ones in effect as we write — always confirm before you transfer money.

Student amount (as of 2 October 2026, verify on auswaertiges-amt.de); Opportunity Card amount (as of 2 October 2026, verify on make-it-in-germany.com). Providers add their own fees and often ask for a small buffer on top, so the transfer you make is usually slightly higher than the official amount.

Choosing a provider

Most people today use an online provider recognised by the German missions rather than a traditional German bank branch. The two best-known are:

• Expatrio — blocked account often offered as a bundle with health insurance, which can save one step for students and job seekers.
• Fintiba — blocked account with optional health insurance add-ons, also widely accepted.

Fees, bundles and processing times change regularly, so compare the current offers on the providers' own sites rather than relying on numbers quoted in forums. What to compare:

• One-off set-up fee and monthly account fee
• How fast the confirmation letter is issued after your money arrives
• Whether the provider is accepted by the German mission handling your application
• Refund conditions and fees if your visa is refused or you cancel
• Whether you need the insurance bundle, or already have suitable cover

Step by step: opening a blocked account

1. Check the exact amount your visa type requires on the mission's checklist.
2. Sign up online with the provider and verify your identity (usually a passport scan and a video or photo check).
3. Transfer the full amount from your home bank. International transfers can take several working days; some banks limit how much you can send abroad per year, so check this early.
4. Download the blocked account confirmation (Sperrkontobestätigung) once the money arrives. This is the document you submit with your visa application.
5. Keep the transfer receipts — some missions or the immigration office in Germany ask for them.

Health insurance

Your visa also needs health insurance valid from the day you arrive. For students, statutory public insurance usually starts with enrolment; before that, and for Opportunity Card holders, private or incoming insurance is common. Providers you may want to compare include Feather and ottonova. Make sure the policy states it meets the requirements for your visa type — cheap travel insurance is often not enough.

After you arrive

Once you are in Germany, open a regular current account (many online banks work without a German salary). You will usually need your registered address first — see our Anmeldung guide. Then link the current account to your blocked account provider and activate the monthly payouts. The first payout typically arrives after activation, so bring enough money for your first weeks (rent deposit, transport, food).

When you start a job or your residence status changes, the immigration office may allow you to release the remaining balance. Ask your provider how to close the account and what documents they need.

Common mistakes

• Depositing the old amount after the official figure has been raised
• Starting the transfer too late and missing the visa appointment
• Forgetting provider fees, so the balance ends up below the required sum
• Buying insurance that doesn't meet visa requirements
• Not reading the refund terms in case the visa is refused

Moving to Berlin? Our moving to Berlin checklist puts the blocked account, insurance and registration in the right order. Applying from India? Read the Opportunity Card for Indians guide.