Blocked account Germany 2026: amount, fees and how much buffer to send

Most students from outside the EU need a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for their German student visa. It proves you can support yourself for your first year. This guide covers the amount for 2026, what it costs, and how to send the money from abroad so it does not arrive short.

Work out your own total, in your currency, with the blocked account calculator.

What a blocked account is

You pay a fixed amount into a special German account before your visa appointment. After you arrive, you can take out only a fixed amount per month, like a controlled allowance. Germany wants to be sure you can live here without needing state support.

2026 requirement for students:

• €11,904 for 12 months
• €992 a month released after you arrive

The figure is set nationally and usually changes once a year, so the same amount applies whether you apply in Lagos, Lima or Lahore. Always check the checklist of the German embassy or consulate that handles your application.

The real cost is more than €11,904

On top of the blocked amount you pay:

• the provider's setup fee and monthly fees
• your bank's exchange rate, which is usually worse than the rate you see online
• transfer charges at your bank
• deductions by intermediary banks along the way, which you often cannot see in advance

Rule of thumb: if your transfer is calculated to the last euro, it will probably arrive short. Being short by even a few euros can delay your confirmation and your visa appointment.

Providers in 2026

Most students use an online provider that is set up for visa confirmations.

Choose the provider whose confirmation your embassy accepts and whose fees are clearest for you. Some providers bundle health insurance; compare that separately.

How to open and fund it

1. Check your embassy's checklist for your visa category and the exact amount.
2. Apply online with your provider. You usually need your passport, personal details and, depending on the provider, your admission letter.
3. Transfer the money: €11,904, plus the provider's fees, plus a buffer of €100 to €200.
4. Download the blocking confirmation. This PDF is what you submit with your visa application.

Sending money from abroad

• Ask your bank first about limits on international transfers, the documents it needs and how long a transfer takes. Some countries cap how much can be sent abroad each year or need central bank approval for large amounts.
• Prepare source-of-funds documents before you send: a loan sanction letter, a sponsor letter and their income proof, or your own bank statements. Large transfers often trigger compliance checks.
• Compare the total cost, not just the fee: the exchange rate margin is often the biggest cost. Specialist transfer services can be cheaper than your bank, if your provider accepts payments from them.
• Allow one to two weeks from sending to confirmation, longer around holidays.

The first month costs more than €992

The monthly payout is fixed, but the first month brings a rental deposit (often two to three months' rent), furniture, a semester fee and other one-off costs. Embassy checklists warn about this too. Plan separate money for these, for example savings you can reach with an international card.

What €992 a month covers

Public student health insurance alone costs €141.16 a month under 23 and €146.29 from 23 (TK, 2026). The DAAD estimates students need €900 to €1,200 a month depending on city and lifestyle, and rent is the biggest variable. €992 works in many university towns; in Munich or Frankfurt it is tight. See cost of living for students.

Common mistakes

1. Sending the exact amount. Always add a buffer.
2. Leaving the transfer to the last week. Compliance checks can take days.
3. Treating the blocked account as a current account. After arrival you open a normal current account (Girokonto), and the blocked account pays the monthly amount into it.
4. Forgetting first-month costs beyond €992.

Alternatives to a blocked account

Depending on your embassy, you may be able to prove your funds with:

• a scholarship confirmation from a recognised funder
• a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone living in Germany

Check what your embassy accepts before you rely on an alternative.

If you come to Germany to look for a university place (student applicant visa) rather than with an admission, the requirement is higher: €1,091 a month in 2026.

Next step: the visa

With your blocking confirmation in hand, you can apply for the visa itself. See the German student visa guide for the full document list and process.

Questions people ask

How much do I need in a blocked account for Germany in 2026?

€11,904 for 12 months, released at €992 a month after you arrive. The amount is the same for all countries; check your embassy's checklist for your visa category.

Can I withdraw more than €992 in the first month?

Usually no. The monthly limit is fixed, so plan separate money for the rental deposit and other one-off costs.

How long does it take to open and fund a blocked account?

Opening it online is quick. Funding depends on your bank and its compliance checks: expect a few working days to two weeks. Do not leave it to the last minute.

How much buffer should I send?

€100 to €200 on top of the blocked amount and fees, so bank deductions and exchange rate changes do not leave it short. Expatrio requires a €100 buffer.

Is a blocked account mandatory for a German student visa?

For most applicants from outside the EU, yes, unless you have an accepted alternative such as a scholarship or a declaration of commitment. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa.

Sources

• Make it in Germany: residence permit for studying: €11,904 blocked account for 2026, and €1,091 a month if you come to look for a place
• Techniker Krankenkasse (TK): student contributions from 1 January 2026
• DAAD: costs of studying and living: typical monthly costs
• Expatrio: blocked account fees and buffer requirement
• Fintiba: blocked account fees