Blocked Account
Germany 2026
Everything you need to open your Sperrkonto — the exact amount,
Fintiba vs Expatrio, step-by-step process from India & TCS rules.
What Is a Blocked Account and Why Is It Mandatory?
A Sperrkonto (blocked account) is a special restricted bank account you must open before applying for a German student visa. The German embassy requires proof that you can financially support yourself for one full year without relying on illegal work.
You deposit €11,904 upfront — the money is "blocked" and cannot be accessed until you arrive in Germany.
After arrival, €992 is automatically released to your German bank account every month for 12 months.
It is mandatory for all non-EU international students applying for a German student visa — there is no alternative route.
Even scholarship recipients typically need one, unless their scholarship includes an embassy-accepted proof-of-funds letter.
Any remaining balance at the end of your study period is fully refunded to you when you close the account.
The €11,904 amount changes every year
The German government updates this amount annually based on BAföG (student support) calculations. For 2026 it is €11,904. If you opened a blocked account with last year's amount, you may need to top it up. Always verify the current amount before transferring.
Exact Amounts for 2026
Updated annually — always verify before you transfer
One-time deposit covering 12 months of living expenses. Must be in the account before your visa appointment.
Automatically released to your German bank account on the 1st of each month after you register in Germany.
At ~₹89/€ exchange rate. Exchange rates fluctuate — always check live rates when transferring.
Amount verified for 2026. Next update expected January 2027. Source: German government BAföG calculation.
Fintiba vs Expatrio vs Coracle
All three are accepted by German embassies. Here's an honest breakdown of what each actually costs and how long each actually takes — no affiliate bias.
Fintiba
Fastest & most popular
Expatrio
Best value + insurance combo
Coracle
Digital-first alternative
Our honest recommendation
Go with Fintiba if you want the fastest, simplest process and English support throughout. The €149 setup fee is worth it for the speed and reliability — especially with tight visa appointment windows. Choose Expatrio if you also need health insurance and want to bundle it for a lower combined cost. Consider Coracle as a newer digital-first alternative with a competitive €99 fee if the other two are over capacity or unavailable in your region.
How to Open a Blocked Account from India
The complete process — from choosing a provider to accessing your monthly €992 after you arrive in Germany.
Choose Your Provider
Decide between Fintiba, Expatrio, and Coracle (we recommend Fintiba for most students — fastest, fully in English). Expatrio and Coracle are solid alternatives depending on your budget.
Register & Submit Documents
Create your account on the provider's website. Upload your passport, admission letter (or conditional acceptance), and fill in your personal details. No German bank account needed.
Transfer €11,904 from India
Send the required amount via SWIFT from your Indian bank account. TCS rules apply if total remittance exceeds ₹7 lakh/year — factor this into your timeline (claim it back via ITR).
Receive Confirmation Letter
Once your funds clear (3–7 business days), the provider sends a blocked account confirmation letter — the official document your embassy needs to issue the student visa.
Include in Visa Application
Submit the confirmation letter with your visa documents at VFS Global. This single document proves you have sufficient funds for one full year of living in Germany.
Access Monthly After Arrival
€992 is automatically released to your linked German bank account on the 1st of each month after you arrive. The account is yours — remaining balance is returned when you close it.
Start at least 3 weeks before your visa appointment
SWIFT transfers from India take 3–7 days. Processing takes 3–5 days. The confirmation letter takes 1–2 days. Adding buffer for any errors: 3 weeks minimum, 4 weeks is safe. Do not leave this until the last week before your VFS appointment.
Monthly Withdrawal Rules Explained
Once you arrive in Germany and register your address (Anmeldung), you begin receiving your monthly releases. Here's exactly how it works.
Automatically on the 1st of each month after your arrival in Germany.
You must open a German bank account (N26, Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse) to receive the monthly releases.
If you don't use a month's release, it carries forward. You can access it the following month.
You cannot withdraw multiple months at once — the Sperrkonto is designed to release funds gradually.
When your studies end and you close the account, any remaining balance is refunded to you.
Fintiba and Expatrio confirmation letters are accepted by all German embassies including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Dhaka, and Kathmandu.
TCS Rules When Sending Money to Germany
Tax Collected at Source (TCS) applies to overseas remittances — here is exactly what it means for you
Self-funded education abroad
If you're sending your own money (not an education loan), TCS is 5% on the amount above ₹7 lakh per financial year.
Funded by education loan
If the amount is sent from an education loan account, the TCS rate drops to 0.5% regardless of the amount.
TCS is refundable
TCS is NOT a permanent tax. It is credited to your PAN. Claim it back when you or your parents file the Income Tax Return (ITR) for the year.
Tell your Indian bank it's for education abroad
At the time of remittance, declare the purpose code as "S0305 – Studies Abroad" and carry your admission letter. Some banks may ask for TCS proof of identity. This avoids delays in the transfer and ensures the correct (lower) TCS rate if applicable.
Common Reasons Blocked Accounts Get Rejected
Every mistake below adds 1–2 weeks to your timeline. Know them before you start.
The most common reason. Providers require a valid passport, admission letter (or conditional acceptance), and sometimes a bank statement from India. Any mismatch causes rejection.
Your name on the blocked account application must exactly match your passport. Even minor spelling differences (e.g., "Mohammed" vs "Mohammad") trigger a rejection.
Sending €11,800 instead of €11,904 — or the transfer arriving net of bank charges — means the account cannot be activated. Always send slightly more or confirm the net amount.
SWIFT transfers from Indian banks can take 3–7 business days. If you start too late before your visa appointment, the confirmation letter won't arrive in time.
One wrong character in the provider's IBAN or BIC/SWIFT code sends the money somewhere else. Always verify the exact transfer details from your account dashboard.
Some banks hold remittances exceeding ₹7 lakh for TCS verification. Inform your bank in advance and carry a purpose-of-remittance declaration for education.
Students guided through blocked account opening since 2023
How EasyWay Germany Helps You Open Your Blocked Account
We've guided 500+ students through the Sperrkonto process — from students who had documents rejected to those who had SWIFT transfers bounce. We know every failure mode and how to avoid it.
We tell you exactly which provider fits your timeline and budget — no generic advice, specific to your visa appointment date.
We check your passport, admission letter, and all submission documents before you upload — catching name mismatches and format errors that cause rejections.
We walk you through the SWIFT transfer setup step by step, including the correct IBAN, BIC, and purpose-of-remittance declaration for your Indian bank.
Message us at any point in the process. We respond within 2 hours on working days — including when providers ask for additional documents.
Blocked Account Germany — FAQs
Answers to the questions we get asked every day
What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany?
A Sperrkonto is a special restricted bank account where you deposit the funds required by the German government as proof of financial support for your student visa. The money is "blocked" — you cannot freely access it all at once. Instead, €992 is released to you each month after you arrive in Germany. This system ensures international students have enough money to live on without working illegally.
How much money is required in the blocked account in 2026?
In 2026, you need to deposit €11,904 into your blocked account. This amount is set annually by the German government and represents approximately one year of living expenses (€992 × 12 months). It does not cover tuition (which is free at public universities) or the cost of flights.
Which is better — Fintiba or Expatrio?
For most Indian, Bangladeshi, and Nepali students, Fintiba is the better choice: it's fully English, faster to set up (3–5 days), and has the clearest process for international applicants. Expatrio is a good second option and is slightly cheaper on the basic plan — some students choose Expatrio if they also want to bundle health insurance. Coracle is a newer digital-first alternative with a competitive fee and English support, worth considering if Fintiba and Expatrio are unavailable or over capacity.
Can I open a blocked account without a German bank account?
Yes. Both Fintiba and Expatrio can be opened entirely from India — you only need a passport and an admission or conditional admission letter from a German university. You do not need a German bank account to open the Sperrkonto. However, you will need a German bank account after you arrive to receive your monthly €992 releases.
How long does it take to open a blocked account?
With Fintiba or Expatrio, the account setup itself takes 1–2 business days. After that, you need to transfer €11,904 via SWIFT from India, which takes 3–7 business days. Once the funds are received, the provider sends your confirmation letter within 1–2 business days. Total end-to-end time: typically 7–14 days. Start this process at least 3 weeks before your visa appointment to be safe.
Can a sponsor letter replace a blocked account?
It depends on the German embassy and your specific situation. Some embassies accept a sponsor letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a German resident who commits to covering your expenses. However, this is less reliable and many embassies now specifically require a blocked account. For most Indian, Bangladeshi, and Nepali students, a blocked account is the safest and most accepted route.
Is TCS applicable when I send money to Germany for the blocked account?
Yes, TCS (Tax Collected at Source) applies to overseas remittances above ₹7 lakh per financial year. For educational remittances financed by an education loan, the TCS rate is 0.5%. For self-financed education abroad, the TCS rate is 5% on the amount exceeding ₹7 lakh. At €11,904 ≈ ₹10.6 lakh, you would pay TCS on roughly ₹3.6 lakh at 5% = ~₹18,000. This is refundable when you file your ITR — it is not a permanent cost.
What happens to the blocked account money after I arrive in Germany?
€992 is automatically released to your linked German bank account on the 1st of each month after you register your address (Anmeldung) and provide your arrival proof. You continue receiving monthly releases for 12 months. If you have money remaining after 12 months (for example, because you worked part-time and didn't need all of it), you can access the remaining balance freely.