Are you ready to dive into the adventure of studying in Germany? Congratulations! Your future is filled
with cozy cafés, charming cobblestone streets, and endless pretzels. But before you can kick back and
enjoy a slice of student life, there’s a quirky little hurdle you need to hop over: opening a German
blocked account for international students
Wait, what? A blocked account? It sounds like something out of a spy movie, right? But don’t worry;
it’s not nearly as dramatic! Think of it as your financial fortress—a way to prove you can afford all
those late-night schnitzel cravings while keeping the authorities happy. It might sound a bit tedious, but
fear not! We’re here to turn this bureaucratic task into a fun part of your pre-Germany checklist. So
grab your favourite snack, and let’s break down everything you need to know to unlock this essential
part of your German adventure!
What is a Blocked Account in Germany?
In simple terms, it’s a bank account where you can deposit a fixed amount of money, required by
German authorities for individuals from foreign countries applying for a student or work visa.
Before moving to Germany, you must deposit €11,904 in a German-registered bank account. This
money will be frozen, and after you arrive, you can only withdraw €992 monthly for your day-to-day
expenses – which is why it is called a blocked account. This shows the German authorities you have
sufficient funds to support yourself in Germany, so they can give you the visa
Who needs to open a Blocked Bank Account?
A German Blocked Account for international students is mandatory for everyone belonging from a
country other than a European Union or Schengen Member State, and applying for any of the
following German visas:
- Student Visa
- Job-seeker visa
- Training or apprenticeship visa
- Visa for language acquisition
- Aupair Visa
- Visa for the recognition of foreign qualifications
Which countries are exempted from requiring a Blocked Account?
Citizens from the European Union and Schengen states listed below can study or train in Germany
without the necessity of having a blocked bank account: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
When should I apply for a Blocked Account?
It takes around one to six weeks for processing the application for a German blocked account for
international students. Thus, it is advised to start the process well in advance since you cannot apply
for your German Visa until you have your confirmation from the bank. The exact processing time
mostly depends on the provider you choose and the bank they work with.
How to open a Blocked Account? Step-by-step Guide
A German blocked account for international students must be open before you apply for the German
visa from your home country. The process of opening a blocked account changes depending on which
provider you choose, but generally, you have to:
- Connect with the German Embassy to check the amount required to transfer.
- Open a blocked account online with the provider of your choice. (The cost of opening a blocked account for a German visa ranges from €50 to €150, depending on the provider you work with. Certain providers can also ask you to pay a “buffer” amount – about €100 or less – to cover any fees charged from the bank. This amount is returned to you when you close the account.)
- Transfer the amount once the application process is complete. (Once the blocked account is open, your provider would share the account’s IBAN (International Bank Account Number), where you must send the money. You can transfer through your local bank or through an international money transfer app or service.)
- Get a Confirmation Document for your Blocked Bank Account from your provider.
- Submit the confirmation the the German Embassy and wait for your visa.
On your arrival in Germany
- Open a current bank account in any of the local banks. This account will be the destination of your monthly transfers.
- Activate your Blocked Account.
- Receive a monthly transfer from your blocked account to your current account.
How to activate a Blocked Account?
To activate a German blocked account for international students on arrival in Germany, you must
open a current account in German bank, which means you must register your address and get the
Registration Certificate beforehand. You can only access your money after opening a current account.
Documents required to activate your account are:
- Proof of a registered residence in Germany, such as a lease agreement or the certificate of registration from the city hall.
- Proof of your current account.
- Your passport with the entry stamp.
- Your German residence permit (some banks may ask for it).
If you opened the account directly with a bank, you may have to personally go to the bank with your
documents and activate it. You can activate your account online if you opened your account with an
intermediary.
Documents needed for opening a Blocked Account
To open a German Blocked Account for International students, the documents required vary as
per providers or banks. The most commonly required documents include:
- Your Passport
- Proof of source of money, like bank statements
- Filled out application form (digitally or on paper)
- Proof of admission in a German university
- Your ID card
Can I open a Blocked Account from inside Germany?
If you belong from the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand
or South Korea, you can open a blocked account after entering Germany. Why? Because citizens from
these countries do not require an entry visa in Germany.
Can I open a Blocked Account with a foreign bank?
You can open you blocked account only in the banks registered in Germany. If you deposit the money
in a bank account in your home country, the German Embassy or Immigration Office will ask you to
transfer it to a German bank account (leading to more work and a delayed process), or they will refuse
your visa application.
How is this amount calculated?
The German Blocked Account amount for 2024 is €11,904, which means you can use €992 per month
for 12 months. But you must deposit the total amount in full!
This requirement is based on the BAföG rate, Germany’s financial aid program for students. This
deposit is the minimum you must have in your bank account to demonstrate you have the financial
means for a student visa.
This monthly amount also limits how much you can withdraw or transfer each month, unless you’ve
deposited more than the required minimum.
Also: Securing health insurance is a critical step in the visa process, which is why some providers offer
a package that includes both a blocked account and health insurance, making it easier for students to
get both.
Remember that you must deposit 10% more than the minimum amount for certain types of visas, such
as training/apprenticeship visas or language acquisition visas.
Where can I open a Blocked Account?
Some of the private providers that can help you with opening a Blocked Bank Account are:
- Fintiba
- Drop Money
- Expatrio
- ICICI Bank
- Coracle
- Studely
Although a blocked bank account can be directly opened with a bank, not all the branches of a German
bank will offer this service, which may complicate matters. Some German banks which offer blocked
accounts include:
- Postbank
- Commerzbank
- Deutsche Kreditbank
- Hypo Vereinsbank
- Targobank
- Volksbank
- Sparkasse
Kotak Mahindra, an Indian-based bank, is the most popular choice of Indian students when
transferring funds for a blocked account. However, the German embassy/consulate may not accept it
because the bank is not registered in Germany. In the best-case scenario, you get the student visa, but
when you travel to Germany, you still have to transfer the money from Kotak Mahindra to a German
bank before getting the residence permit.
To avoid the extra steps and prolonged wait times, it is best if you open an account directly with an
approved provider or with a German bank.
Intermediaries vs Banks
Private companies that provide blocked accounts, like Fintiba, Expatrio, Studely, Coracle, or Drop
Money, are intermediaries between you and a bank. You pay them to open the blocked account on your
behalf, as they are pretty experienced with international students and visa applicants and are associated
with most of the German banks.
If you’re already in Germany, the best option is to open your blocked account directly with a traditional
German bank, Postbank, or Sparkasse, as you can personally go to the bank and talk to someone on the
staff who will open your account for you, and then transfer your money.
If you are abroad, dealing with a bank directly can be more of a hassle because it involves sending the
documents via mail, which naturally takes longer.
Comparison between providers
| PROVIDERS | FEES | PROCESSIG TIME | ONLINE APPLICATIN | DOCS SUBMISSIN | HEALTH INSURANCE ADD-ON | CURRENT ACCOUNT FREE ADD ON |
| Fintiba | €89 processing fee €4.90 monthly fee | Ten minutes to open the account. Transferring the money and getting confirmation takes 3-5 days. | Yes | Online | Yes | No |
| Expatrio | €69 processing fee €5 monthly fee | Less than 24 hours to open the account. 3-5 days for the money transfer. | Yes | Online | Yes | Yes. Open 100% online as part of the Expatrio Value Package. |
| Drop Money | €45 processing fee €5 monthly fee (paid annually) | 24 hours to open the account. 3-5 days for the money transfer | Yes | Online | Yes | Yes. WITH REVOLUT |
| Studely | – | 24 hours to open the account. 2-5 days for the money transfer. | Yes | Online | No | No |
| Coracle | €59 processing fee No monthly fee | Yes | Online | Yes | No |
Alternatives: study without a Blocked Account
Studying in Germany without a blocked account is possible if you fulfil one of the requirements listed
below:
- You are from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
- You have won a scholarship from an established educational institution in Germany.
- Confirmation you will receive government funding or have an approved student loan in Germany.
- Proof of sponsorship from a friend or relative living in Germany. Your sponsor has to make a formal request at the Immigration Office to sponsor you.
You must receive enough support or a scholarship large enough to cover your daily living expenses in
Germany, the same way a blocked account would.
Voilà! Your blocked account is ready to open the doors to your German adventure! While the
paperwork might feel like a mini obstacle course, you’ve got it handled like a pro. Now, with this
financial hurdle cleared, you can start dreaming about all the fun stuff—like grabbing a pretzel, nailing
your studies, and exploring every corner of Germany. So, take a deep breath, check off this to-do, and
get ready for the journey of a lifetime. Prost to your study abroad success!
Need more help? Whether it’s about anything related to studying abroad, feel free to reach out to
Lorien Finance! We’re here to guide you through every step of the way. Let’s make your dream a
reality!
FAQs
How to transfer funds to my Blocked Account?
When your blocked account is open, your provider will send you the account’s IBAN (International
Bank Account Number), where you must send the money. You can transfer through a bank (using your
local bank account) or through an international money transfer app or service.
Your provider will also inform you how to transfer the money to your account. Sometimes, they have
their own money transfer service.
Do I need a Blocked Account for the second year of my studies too?
The official requirement for a German student visa is that you need a blocked account only for the first
year of studies. If your course of study is longer than one year, and you need to extend your residence
permit, you usually have to show proof that you can finance your stay, but the proof of finances does
not necessarily have to be a blocked account. It could be a personal bank account with enough funds or
your parent’s or sponsor’s bank account.
Can I close my Blocked Account early?
If you need to close your account early, for example, if your visa is rejected or you must return home
and cancel it, you must ask your provider to close it. You will need proof from the German Embassy/
consulate for why you must do so. Once you submit the relevant documents to the provider, they will
send you back the money within two to four weeks.
You might not get back the processing fees if you choose to close the account of your own volition.
Do I get my money back if my visa is rejected?
Yes, you will get back the money if your German visa is rejected. You will have to send the Visa
Rejection document you received from the German Embassy/Consulate along with your personal bank
account details to your provider, and they will close your account and return the money within a few
weeks. Some providers will also return the money you paid to open the account.
Can another person send the deposit on my behalf?
Yes, another person or a third party can deposit the funds on your behalf. However, they must prove
their identity initially. The blocked account provider may request authorisation from you to that person
or organisation, a valid passport, and a bank receipt of the bank transfer.
