Blocked Account

Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Students in Germany

Q: What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?

A blocked account is a special bank account required for German student visa applications. You deposit a minimum of €11,904 (2026), and receive monthly withdrawals of €992 to cover living expenses. It proves to German authorities that you can finance your studies.

Q: How much money do I need for a blocked account?

The minimum deposit for 2026 is €11,904 (12 × €992/month). Some providers allow larger deposits for longer visa periods. The amount is set annually by the German government.

Q: Which blocked account provider is cheapest?

Setup fees range from €99–159 (Coracle €99, currently not accepting applications; Expatrio €119; Fintiba €159), monthly fees from €0–9.90. Compare total annual costs including both setup and monthly fees to find the most affordable option for your situation.

Q: How long does it take to open a blocked account?

Most providers process applications within 3–5 business days. After account creation, the bank transfer from your home country may take an additional 2–7 business days depending on your bank and country.

Q: Can I close my blocked account when I leave Germany?

Yes, you can close your blocked account and transfer the remaining balance to any bank account. Processing times vary by provider, typically 2–4 weeks.

Compare all blocked account providers for your German student visa. Find the lowest fees, fastest processing, and best features.

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Planned change, not law yet (as of 31 October 2026): For 2027 the official amount stays at €992/month (€11,904/year), published in Germany's Federal Gazette on 31 August 2026 (BAnz AT 31.08.2026 B1). Language courses that do not prepare for university study need €1,091/month. A draft student aid (BAföG) reform could raise the student amount during 2027. By our calculation that would be €1,075/month (€12,900/year) from 1 April 2027 and €1,107/month (€13,284/year) from 1 August 2027. Parliament held only the first reading on 15 October 2026, so these amounts are not decided and no authority has confirmed them. Check the amount with your embassy before you transfer money.

01Providers

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Coracle

Coracle Blocked Account

Blocked account with no monthly fees — new applications paused since 4 August 2025

No monthly fees — one-time €99 opening fee before the pause (€59 with Prime)
Lowest first-year cost before the pause: €99 (€59 with the Prime bundle)
Before the pause, the Prime package added public health insurance (TK, BARMER or AOK) and travel insurance

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Expatrio

Expatrio Blocked Account

Instant blocking confirmation once funds arrive — free bank account, ISIC card, and insurance bundle included

Quick confirmation — blocking confirmation available immediately once funds arrive
Lower setup fee (€119) and monthly fee (€9/month) than Fintiba
First-year cost of €227 — about €51 less than Fintiba (€277.80)

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Fintiba

Fintiba Blocked Account

Established blocked account provider — insurance bundle, scholarship program, and multi-language support

Established provider used by international students from many countries
Health insurance bundle available (GKV via BARMER or PKV via MAWISTA)
Free MAWISTA Visum travel health insurance included in Fintiba Plus

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?

How much money do I need for a blocked account?

Which blocked account provider is cheapest?

How long does it take to open a blocked account?

Can I close my blocked account when I leave Germany?

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