Blocked Account in Germany (Sperrkonto) 2026

A blocked account in Germany (Sperrkonto) is a special bank account that proves to the German authorities that you can pay your own way. You deposit a lump sum before you apply for your visa, and the bank then releases only a fixed amount each month. Most people who need one are international students, plus applicants for the Chancenkarte (opportunity card). This guide covers who needs a blocked account, the amounts the authorities state for 2026, how the main providers compare, how to open and close the account, and what to use if you want to avoid one.

What is a blocked account?

The German word Sperrkonto literally means "blocked account." According to the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), the required deposit depends on your purpose of stay and is based on the maximum rates of German student support (BAföG). The idea is simple: instead of showing a bank statement that could be emptied the day after your visa is issued, you lock the money in an account that releases it in monthly instalments.

The account works like this:

• You open it in your own name with a bank or a specialist provider, usually online.
• You name a beneficiary of the block (Sperrbegünstigter). Before your visa is granted or used, that is the German mission where you applied. After you enter Germany, it is your local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde). The beneficiary cannot withdraw your money; it only has to consent when the block is lifted.
• You can only withdraw a set monthly amount, so the funds last for the whole period. The account is usually opened for one year unless your planned stay is shorter.
• Banking fees are paid in addition to the blocked amount.

Who needs a blocked account?

German law makes a secured livelihood a condition for most residence permits, and a blocked account is one accepted way to show it. In practice, it comes up for the following groups.

International students

If you come from outside the EU/EEA to study, you apply for a student visa and later a residence permit under section 16b of the Residence Act. German missions list proof of financing on the visa checklist, and a blocked account is the first option they name. Applicants who are still looking for a place to study, or who attend a preparatory language course, should check the mission's page because the required amount can differ by purpose.

Chancenkarte (opportunity card) applicants

The Chancenkarte lets qualified people come to Germany to look for a job. Under section 20a of the Residence Act, your living costs must be secured. Make it in Germany names a blocked account or a Verpflichtungserklärung as the way to do that. If you are weighing the options, read our visa guide for the full set of residence routes, and our job search guide for what to do once you arrive.

Language course and some other visa applicants

Language-course visas and some other long-stay visas also require proof of funds, and many missions accept a blocked account. Whether you need one is decided by the mission, not by the provider selling it. Read the checklist for your visa type before you pay anything.

How much money you need in a blocked account in 2026

The figure depends on your visa. These are the amounts that official sources state for 2026.

One detail is worth knowing: provider websites do not always match the official figure. One large provider's page lists a different amount for job-seeker and opportunity-card applicants than Make it in Germany does, so trust the mission or the government portal, not a sales page.

The amounts have changed before, and the Auswärtiges Amt notes that older pages may show outdated numbers. Check the date on any source you use and confirm the amount with your mission before you transfer money.

Blocked account providers and fees compared

The Federal Foreign Office used to publish a provider list but deleted it in mid-2022. It now says you may choose any bank or similar provider, that it makes no recommendations, and that it accepts no liability if a provider fails to pay out. That puts the comparison on you. The table below uses only what each provider states on its own website, checked on 15 October 2026. Where a fee was not shown or could not be verified, it says "check provider."

What to compare besides price

• Total cost over your stay. A monthly fee that looks small adds up over 12 months. Add the setup fee, the monthly fee times the months you will keep the account, and any transfer costs.
• Refund terms. What happens to the money and the fees if your visa is refused or you do not travel?
• Payout speed. How many days after arrival until the first payment, and what do you need to start it?
• Acceptance. Ask whether your specific mission accepts the confirmation document. Ask for this in writing if it matters for your case.
• Bundles. Some providers sell insurance or a bank account with the blocked account. Compare these offers separately rather than assuming the bundle is cheapest.

How to open a blocked account, step by step

1. Find your mission's amount and checklist. Look at the website of the German embassy or consulate that will handle your visa, or the Consular Services Portal.
2. Choose a provider. Use the points above. Many of them open accounts fully online.
3. Open the account in your name and name the beneficiary. You will usually upload your passport and enter your application details. Name the German mission as the beneficiary of the block.
4. Transfer the full amount. Pay in the required total plus the provider's fees. Keep the transfer receipt.
5. Download the confirmation. The document should state the total deposit and the monthly amount you may withdraw. Embassy pages ask for this information on the confirmation, so check that both appear.
6. Submit it with your visa application. Bring it to your appointment together with the other documents on the checklist, including proof of health insurance.
7. After arrival, link a German account. Open a current account (see our German bank account guide) and give the provider the IBAN so payouts can start.

Plan for time. Opening and funding the account is only one part of the visa timeline, and the mission's processing times vary. Start early. Our moving to Germany checklist shows where the blocked account fits among the other steps.

How the monthly payout works

Once you are in Germany and have a current account, the provider pays the monthly amount into it. For student visas, the missions give the monthly limit as 992 euros. Providers differ in how they trigger the first payment and how long it takes, so check the process before you leave, not after you land.

Some practical points:

• Arrival comes first. Most providers start payouts only after you register in Germany and send them your IBAN. Your Anmeldung is usually part of that. Keep some cash or a card with you for your first weeks, because the first payout will not arrive on day one.
• Budget around the limit. The monthly amount is what the authorities treat as your living budget, not necessarily what you will spend. Rent in big cities can take most of it; see our cost of living guide for realistic monthly budgets.
• Working while you study. A student residence permit under section 16b allows work of up to 140 days per year, and student side jobs at the university are not counted. The blocked account does not stop you from earning extra.
• Chancenkarte holders may work up to 20 hours per week on average and do trial employment of up to two weeks each (section 20a), which can help cover costs during the job search.

Alternatives to a blocked account

A blocked account is convenient, but it ties up a large sum for a year. The Auswärtiges Amt names other accepted ways to show financing for student visas. Which ones a mission accepts, and in what form, can vary, so confirm before you rely on them.

For the Chancenkarte, Make it in Germany names a blocked account or a Verpflichtungserklärung. If a friend or relative offers to sponsor you, make sure they understand the five-year liability before they sign.

Closing your blocked account

The blocking notice has to be lifted, and that needs the consent of the beneficiary. The Auswärtiges Amt describes these cases:

• Visa refused: for a rejected national visa, the rejection notice is sufficient.
• You never applied, withdrew the application, or did not use the visa: the mission abroad can issue a consular certificate for your German bank.
• You entered, then left the Schengen area before your residence permit was issued: the same certificate route applies.
• You are already in Germany: contact your foreigners authority.

After you have received your residence permit and drawn the last monthly payment, the account is simply empty. Ask the provider whether the monthly fee stops automatically, or whether you have to close the account to stop it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using an outdated amount. Many blog posts still quote earlier years. Use the mission's current checklist.
• Paying before checking acceptance. Confirm with your mission that it accepts the confirmation you will receive.
• Forgetting the fees. The fees are paid on top of the deposit, so your transfer has to cover both.
• Missing the health insurance. Missions ask for proof of adequate health insurance as a separate document. Read our student health insurance guide to understand how insurance works for students, and our expat health insurance guide for incoming cover.
• No plan for the first weeks. The first payout takes time, so bring money for rent deposits and initial costs. A solid SCHUFA history takes months to build, so some landlords will ask for extra proof.

Blocked account Germany: common questions

Sources

Figures were checked on 15 October 2026. Requirements change, so confirm them with the German mission handling your application.

• Purpose, beneficiary, providers, fees and closing: Auswärtiges Amt, Opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for students and Ein Sperrkonto eröffnen und schließen
• Accepted proofs of financing for students: Auswärtiges Amt FAQ, Finanzierung
• Student amount of 992 euros per month (11,904 euros per year): German Consulate General Hong Kong, Student Visa checklist (April 2026) and German Embassy Dhaka, Study Visa checklist (June 2026)
• Chancenkarte amount of at least 1,091 euros per month and visa fee: Make it in Germany, Job Search Opportunity Card at a glance (as of January 2026)
• Chancenkarte validity, work hours and secured livelihood: section 20a AufenthG
• Student work allowance: section 16b AufenthG
• Sponsor liability of five years: section 68 AufenthG
• Provider fees as stated by the provider: Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle