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Blocked Account Germany 2026-2027: The €11,904 Amount, Intake Timelines and Process for Indian Students

Pratik8 min readLast updated 28 October 2026

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Blocked Account Germany 2026-2027: The €11,904 Amount, Intake Timelines and Process for Indian Students

Last Updated: October 28, 2026

QUICK ANSWER: How much money do I need in a German blocked account? €11,904 for one year, which is paid out to you at €992 a month once you are in Germany. The amount follows the German student support (BAföG) rate and is the same in every city. Open the account with a provider such as Fintiba or Expatrio, transfer the full amount plus the provider's fee and a small buffer, and use the blocking confirmation for your visa application.

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is how most non-EU students prove to the German missions that they can pay their living costs. You deposit a year's money, and the account releases a fixed amount each month. This guide covers the exact amount, when to open the account for each intake, how to choose a provider, the step-by-step process, and the mistakes that delay visas.

How much is the blocked account?

Item	Amount
Required for one year	€11,904
Monthly payout in Germany	€992
Basis	The maximum BAföG student support rate
Same in every city?	Yes. It is a federal figure
Plus	The provider's setup fee, monthly fee and any required buffer

Check the German Missions in India student visa page before you transfer. The figure follows the BAföG rate and can change when that rate changes.

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When should I open and fund it?

Intake	Classes start	Open and fund the account	Why
Summer Semester 2027	Around April 2027	November to December 2026	The blocking confirmation is needed for a visa appointment in January or February
Winter Semester 2027/28	Around October 2027	May to June 2027, as soon as admissions arrive	Summer is peak visa season, and appointments fill fast

Important

Open the account at least 4 weeks before your visa appointment, ideally 6 to 8. Bank transfers, verification and the confirmation letter all take time.

How do I choose a provider?

Deutsche Bank no longer opens new blocked accounts for international students (its own page says so). Today most Indian students use online providers such as Fintiba or Expatrio. Coracle has also been used; check whether it is accepting new accounts before you choose it.

Fees change often, so compare on each provider's own website:

What to compare	Why it matters
Setup fee	Paid once when you open the account
Monthly fee	Charged for every month, adds up over a year
Buffer	Some providers require a small extra amount on top of €11,904
Bundles	Some combine the account with travel or health insurance. Check what you actually need
Accepted by the German missions in India	All major providers are, but confirm the provider is on the missions' list
Refund on visa refusal	How long it takes and what fee is kept

How do I open a blocked account from India?

Choose a provider and create an account on its website.
Fill in the online application with your passport details. Some providers ask for your admission letter, others do not.
Verify your identity as the provider asks, usually by video or online check.
Transfer the money from your Indian bank: €11,904 plus any required buffer, and make sure fees do not reduce the amount that arrives.
Receive the blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung), usually as a PDF. You need it for the visa.
In Germany, open a current account (Girokonto) and link it. The €992 monthly payouts then go to that account.

How do I send the money from India?

Method	Notes
SWIFT transfer from your bank	The usual way. Ask the bank about its fee and exchange margin
Online remittance services	Often a better exchange rate. Check that the service can pay into your provider's account
Through the provider	Some providers offer their own transfer option from India. Compare the rate

Education remittances are made under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, and your bank will ask for your admission letter and PAN. Large remittances may have TCS (tax collected at source) applied, which can be claimed back in your or your parent's tax return. Ask your bank.

Tip

Send a small buffer above €11,904. If bank charges reduce the amount even slightly, the provider cannot issue the confirmation until you top up. Keep every transfer receipt.

📄

Free checklist: APS and blocked account

Every document, fee and step for APS and the blocked account, on one page.

Is €992 a month enough?

It covers living costs in many smaller cities but not in the most expensive ones. For Winter Semester 2026/27, a room in a shared flat cost a median €850 in Munich, €650 in Berlin and Hamburg and €510 on average across 90 university cities. Add about €350 to €450 for food, health insurance and other costs. See our cost of living guide.

Students can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year. The minimum wage is €13.90 an hour in 2026 and €14.60 from 2027. But do not plan to fill a big gap from day one. See our part-time jobs guide.

How did our students handle it?

Sumana I. (TU Munich): opened her account with a buffer, received her German student visa and is studying in Munich.
Mahesh S. (University of Cologne): planned his total funds with our Financial Calculator before transferring, and scored IELTS 8.0.
Shivanshi A. (RPTU Kaiserslautern): completed her A1 German classes with us, had her documents checked and received her visa in time.

These are on our Wall of Results.

What mistakes delay the visa?

Mistake	What happens	Fix
Transferring exactly €11,904	Fees reduce what arrives, no confirmation	Add a buffer and pay transfer fees from your side
Opening the account too late	No confirmation by the visa appointment	Open 6 to 8 weeks before
Converting at a rate from weeks ago	The rupee amount is not enough on the day	Check the rate on the day you transfer
Losing receipts	You cannot show where the money came from	Keep all bank and transfer documents

Need help with your Germany budget?

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Worried about how to raise this with your family? Our guide on how to convince Indian parents to support study abroad shows how to present the full cost and funding plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a blocked account?

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a bank account into which you pay a year's living costs before you apply for your visa. The money is locked and paid out to you in a fixed monthly amount once you are in Germany. For students the usual amount is €11,904 for one year, released at €992 a month.

Is a blocked account required for a Germany student visa?

Not always, but it is the most common proof. You must show you can pay about €11,904 for one year. Study in Germany (DAAD) lists other accepted proofs: your parents' income and assets, a guarantee from someone living in Germany, a bank guarantee, or a recognised scholarship. Check with the German mission which proof it accepts from you.

Can I open a blocked account in Deutsche Bank?

No. Deutsche Bank's page for international students says new blocked accounts can no longer be opened; existing accounts are not affected. The Federal Foreign Office no longer publishes a list of providers and does not recommend any, so compare providers carefully before you pay any fee.

How much is the German blocked account for 2026-2027?

€11,904 for one year, paid out at €992 a month. Add the provider's fees and any required buffer.

Can I use blocked account money for tuition?

No, it is for living costs. If your programme charges tuition, for example at TUM or in Baden-Württemberg, pay it separately.

Can I transfer the money in more than one payment?

Usually yes. Most providers accept several transfers and issue the confirmation once the full amount has arrived. Check your provider's rules.

Can I open a blocked account before I get admission?

Some providers allow it and others ask for an admission letter. Check during sign-up.

What happens to the money if my visa is refused?

You can usually close the account and get the money back, minus the provider's fees. Providers ask for the refusal letter. Check the refund terms before you open the account.

Can a scholarship replace the blocked account?

A scholarship from a recognised funding body, such as DAAD, can count as proof of funds for the amount it covers. If it covers less than €11,904 a year, you may need to show the rest. Confirm with the German missions.

Sources

Related tools

Financial Calculator: your total Germany budget
Document Prep Checklist: every document for Germany
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