The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto): Rules, Amount, Mistakes to Avoid

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is the standard way to prove to the German embassy that you can finance your studies. The money is deposited before your visa application and paid out to you in monthly installments after arrival — it is your own money, not a fee.

The rules in short

• Guide amount: around €11,904 for one year (≈ €992/month) — as of 2026; always check the current figure of your embassy before depositing.
• The account must be with a provider accepted by German missions; you receive a blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) for your visa file.
• After arrival you activate the account and receive the monthly amount; withdrawing more than the monthly cap is not possible — plan a small extra buffer on a normal account.
• Transfer fees and exchange-rate margins mean you should send slightly more than the minimum, never the exact amount to the cent.

Alternatives to a blocked account

• A scholarship covering living costs (recognised organisations).
• A formal sponsor declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) by a person in Germany with sufficient income — verified by the local immigration office.
• Parental income proof is generally NOT accepted the way it is for some other countries — do not rely on it.

Mistakes that cost weeks

• Depositing the exact minimum, then losing €30 in bank fees — confirmation shows too little, embassy asks again.
• Opening the account too late: some providers take days to issue the confirmation; embassies want a recent document.
• Name spelled differently than in the passport — always copy the passport spelling exactly.

We walk students through the blocked account step by step — provider choice, deposit, confirmation, and what to do after arrival — as part of the free roadmap. Ask us before you transfer money anywhere.