The blocked account is the part of the German visa that agents most love to wrap in mystery and then charge you for. So let's strip the mystery out completely. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is simply a German bank account that proves to the visa officer you can pay for your first year. The money is yours; it's just "blocked" so you can only draw a set amount each month after you arrive.
Why it exists
Germany wants to know you won't be stranded. The €11,904 is the government's estimate of a year's basic living costs. You're not giving it away, you're parking your own money in a German account that releases it back to you monthly once you're there.
- Your passport (photo page)
- The €11,904 deposit plus the provider's fee, ready to transfer
- A device with a camera for video identity verification
- Your university admission letter (some providers/visa steps want it)
The numbers, exactly
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total deposit (2025/26) | €11,904 for the year |
| Monthly release after arrival | About €992 (some of your own money each month) |
| Typical provider setup fee | Around €49 to €119, varies by provider |
| Typical monthly service fee | €0 to €9, varies by provider |
Step-by-step: open one in about a day
Choose a provider
Fintiba, Expatrio and Coracle are the providers most Indian students use and that German missions recognise. They're intermediaries partnered with German banks. Compare them on speed, monthly fee and refund terms, not just the headline setup price. See our bank comparison + live euro rate.
Register online
Fill the provider's form. Enter your name and details exactly as on your passport, any mismatch causes delays at the visa stage.
Verify your identity (VideoIdent)
A short live video call where an agent checks your passport on camera. It's usually available around the clock and is the fastest way to verify. Have good lighting and your original passport in hand.
Deposit the funds
Transfer the €11,904 plus the provider's fee from India. This is usually done by international transfer or the provider's partner (some use Flywire or similar). Watch the euro rate, transferring on a good day saves real money. Some providers ask for a small buffer that's refunded with your first payout.
Get your confirmation letter
Once funded, the provider issues a blocked-amount confirmation. This is the document the visa officer wants to see. Download and keep it with your visa file.
After you arrive: activate and draw your money
In Germany, open a normal current account, then link it so your monthly ~€992 transfers from the blocked account to you. You cannot withdraw the whole sum at once, that's the point of "blocked". Do your address registration (Anmeldung) first, as activation often depends on it.
Mistakes that delay visas
- Name mismatch between passport, blocked account and admission letter.
- Leaving it late. Open it as soon as you have admission; you need the confirmation for the visa appointment.
- Transferring on a bad euro day and overpaying by tens of thousands of rupees.
- Picking a provider on price alone and ignoring slow support or poor refund terms.
- Believing an agent's "package" fee. The real cost is the deposit (yours) plus a small provider fee. Nothing more.
FAQ
Do I lose the €11,904?
No. It's your money, released to you monthly after you arrive in Germany.
Can I withdraw it all at once?
No. It releases at about €992/month. That's the entire purpose of a "blocked" account.
Which provider is best?
There's no single best, compare on speed, monthly fee and refunds. See our comparison.
What if my visa is refused?
Providers have a refund process for the deposit. Check the refund terms before you choose, this is exactly why terms matter more than price.
