Blocked Account Cost Calculator
Compare the total cost of a German blocked account (Sperrkonto) across all three providers. Choose your duration and see which option saves you the most money.
Note: the required €11,904 deposit is not included — that is your own money returned to you monthly. The calculator shows only the provider service fees.
How long do you need the blocked account?
Exchange rates are approximate. Last updated: April 2026. For the exact amount, check your bank.
| Provider | Setup Fee | Monthly Fee | Fees for 12 months | Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expatrio Cheapest Free German bank account + ISIC card included | €89 | €5.00 / month | €60.00 | €149.00 | Apply → |
| Fintiba Health insurance bundle (GKV or PKV) + scholarship programme | €159 | €9.90 / month | €118.80 | €277.80 | Apply → |
| Coracle Currently paused No monthly fees — one-time setup only | €99 | €0 / month | €0.00 | €99.00 | Paused |
Fees verified April 2026. The €11,904 visa deposit is not included — it is your own money. Transfer fees from your home country are not included and vary by your bank.
The €11,904 deposit equals approximately in your selected currency.
What do you get with each provider?
All three providers issue a valid German Sperrbestätigung (blocking confirmation) for your visa application. Here is what else they offer:
Expatrio
from €149 / year- Blocking confirmation within ~24 hours after funds arrive
- Free German bank account (UniCredit) with debit card
- Apple Pay & Google Pay on your debit card
- Free digital ISIC student identity card
- Value Package: health insurance + travel insurance (up to €953 value)
- Flywire: pay in your local currency
- Visa rejection refund guarantee
- App in 13+ languages
Fintiba
from €277.80 / year- Instant blocking confirmation with credit card payment
- German IBAN via Sutor Bank (Hamburg)
- Health insurance bundle: GKV (DAK, BARMER) or PKV (MAWISTA)
- Travel insurance worth up to €95 in Fintiba Plus
- Scholarship programme (up to €12,000 annually)
- Referral programme: earn €10 per referral
- App in 5 languages (EN, DE, ZH, AR, TR)
- Support in English, German, Chinese, Arabic, Turkish
Coracle Paused
from €99 / year (when available)- No monthly fees — one-time setup only
- Prime package: GKV health insurance (TK, BARMER or AOK) for €59 setup
- Travel insurance included in Prime
- Accepts US citizens and applicants under 18
- French deposit insurance up to €100,000 via Lemonway
- Extensions: €60/year
Coracle has not been accepting new applications since August 2025. No reopening date has been announced.
Blocked account — frequently asked questions
How much do I need to deposit in 2026?
In 2026 you must deposit €11,904 into your German blocked account. This equals the BAföG maximum rate of €992 per month × 12 months. The amount is set annually by the German government and confirmed by the German embassies worldwide.
Which provider is cheapest for 12 months?
Expatrio is the cheapest available provider for 12 months at €149 total (€89 setup + €60 in monthly fees). Fintiba costs €277.80 for 12 months. Coracle would cost only €99 but is currently not accepting new applications.
Are the provider fees on top of the €11,904 deposit?
Yes. The €11,904 deposit is your own money — it gets released back to you monthly (€992/month) after you arrive in Germany. The setup fee and monthly fees are the provider's service charges and are additional costs. The calculator shows only the service fees.
Does the deposit earn interest?
No. Neither Fintiba nor Expatrio pay interest on your blocked account deposit in 2026. Your €11,904 is held securely but does not generate returns while it is blocked.
How fast do I receive the blocking confirmation?
Expatrio generates the blocking confirmation letter automatically within approximately 24 hours after your funds arrive. Fintiba issues it instantly if you pay by credit card, or within 2–5 business days via bank transfer. Both are accepted by German embassies worldwide.
Can I use the blocked account after arriving in Germany?
Yes. Once you register your address in Germany (Anmeldung), the embassy instructs the provider to release €992 per month to you. With Expatrio you receive payouts into the free German bank account included with your plan. With Fintiba you receive payouts to a linked German bank account.
Ready to open your blocked account?
Read the full comparison of all three providers — fees, processing times, and which one to choose.
Read the full guide →