A blocked account is the most common way to prove you can pay for living in Germany, and you usually need it before you can book a student visa appointment. The amount is tied to Germany's student visa rules and has changed more than once. We could not open the official German mission pages, so the figures below come from guides that cite them. Check your embassy or consulate page before you transfer any money.
- Several guides give the 2026 blocked account amount for a student visa as 11,904 euros a year, which is 992 euros a month
- One guide still shows 11,208 euros, or 934 euros a month, which looks like an older figure
- Job-seeker and Opportunity Card applicants usually need a higher amount, given in one guide as 13,092 euros a year
- Confirm the amount with the German mission that handles your visa.
How Much Money Do You Need in a German Blocked Account in 2026?
Guides citing the German visa rules give 11,904 euros for 12 months, which is 992 euros a month. One guide shows an older figure of 11,208 euros, or 934 euros a month, which does not match the 2026 sources. Confirm the current amount with the German embassy or consulate that handles your application.
| Germany blocked account 2026 | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa, per year | 11,904 euros | Guides citing the German mission |
| Student visa, per month | 992 euros | Released monthly after you arrive |
| Older figure still online | 11,208 euros a year | Appears to be the previous amount |
| Job seeker or Opportunity Card | 13,092 euros a year (one guide) | Higher amount, check the mission |
At about 110 rupees to the euro, 11,904 euros is roughly 13.1 lakh rupees, and the monthly 992 euros is about 1.09 lakh rupees. The exchange rate moves, and banks add charges, so check the live rate and your bank's fees before you transfer. Our cost of living guide shows what you can realistically spend each month.
BBA in Germany 2026: Universities, Fees and ScholarshipsRead →Why Does Germany Require a Blocked Account?
Germany asks students to prove they can support themselves, and the blocked account is the usual proof. The money is held for you and released in monthly amounts, so you cannot spend it all at once. It shows the mission you can cover living costs during your studies. Other forms of proof may be accepted.
Some missions also accept alternatives such as a formal obligation letter from a resident of Germany or a scholarship that covers living costs. Ask your embassy or consulate which proofs it accepts, because rules differ between missions and change over time.
Which Providers Offer Blocked Accounts?
Guides name Expatrio and Fintiba among the main online providers, and some also name Studely. You can usually open the account online. Compare fees, how fast you receive the confirmation, and whether the provider is accepted by the German mission that handles your visa. Check each provider's own site for the current terms.
One guide says a provider paused its new sign-up offer, which shows that availability changes. Do not choose a provider only because a blog recommends it. Check that its confirmation is accepted by your mission, and look at the monthly fee, the opening fee and any charge to close the account.
How Do You Open a Blocked Account Step by Step?
Choose a provider, create an account, upload your passport and admission details, and pay the required amount into the account. The provider then issues a confirmation document that you submit with your visa application. Keep the transfer receipt. After you arrive, you activate the account and receive the monthly amount.
In India, the transfer is made through a bank authorised to send money abroad, and the bank may collect tax at source or ask for documents. Ask your bank about the process and charges before you start, because delays here can hold up your visa appointment.
Germany dMAT Test: Who Needs It and the 2026 DatesRead →Eligibility for an MS in Mechanical Engineering in GermanyRead →What Other Costs Come Before You Reach Germany?
Besides the blocked account, our coach lists the APS registration at around 18,000 rupees and, for affected master's applicants, the dMAT at about 150 euros. You also pay the visa fee, health insurance, flights and the first rent deposit. Add these to your budget so the blocked account does not have to cover them.
The blocked account is for living costs after you arrive. It is not meant to pay for tests, tuition at the few public universities that charge it, or the flight. Keep a separate budget for each of those.
What Happens to the Money After You Arrive?
After you arrive and register, you activate the blocked account, and the provider releases the monthly amount to your German bank account. If you leave early or do not get a visa, you can usually ask for the balance back, minus fees. Read your provider's terms for the exact rules and timing.
Because you can only withdraw a fixed amount each month, plan your first weeks. Rent deposits and insurance can come before the first release, so carry some extra money for those. Ask your provider how fast the first transfer arrives.
Is a Blocked Account Enough for the Visa?
No. The blocked account covers the proof of funds, but the visa also needs your admission letter, health insurance, passport, photographs and other documents set by the mission. Check the mission's checklist and book your appointment early, because a single missing document can delay the decision.
Ask your embassy or consulate whether it asks for a motivation letter, your CV or certified copies. Rules differ between missions and change over time. Keep originals and copies in one folder.
Appointments can be limited, so check availability as soon as you have your admission. If you are waiting on a provider's confirmation, ask how long it usually takes, and plan so that it is in your hands before the appointment.
Germany Intakes 2026-27: Winter vs Summer SemesterRead →Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students 2026Read →What Mistakes Delay a German Student Visa?
Common mistakes are using an outdated amount, choosing a provider your mission does not accept, mixing up the monthly and yearly figure, and not leaving time for the transfer. Check the figure on the mission's page, ask the provider for confirmation of acceptance, and keep your documents in one place.
Because the amount can change, check it again a week before you transfer. If you are unsure, ask the mission or a registered adviser rather than relying on a forum post.