Germany Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Student Visas: 2026 Guide
A German student visa almost always needs proof that you can cover your living costs for a year. The usual way to show this is a blocked account (in German, Sperrkonto): a bank account that holds a set amount, from which you can only withdraw a fixed amount each month. This guide explains how it works, the amount reported for 2026, and how to open one from India.
How a blocked account works
You pay the full yearly amount into the account before you apply for the visa. The bank then releases a fixed monthly amount, so you can only spend a twelfth of the total each month. The money is yours, and it is used for your living costs in Germany.
The amount for 2026
Most 2026 guides report a requirement of EUR 992 per month, or EUR 11,904 for a full year. That figure has been used since September 2024. Some visa types or situations may require more, so check the amount with the German mission that will handle your visa.
We could not open the official Federal Foreign Office or DAAD page while checking this article. Please confirm the current amount on the German embassy or consulate website before you pay.
Scholarship holders
If you hold a scholarship that covers your living costs, you may not need a blocked account. The rules depend on the scholarship provider and the amount, and some scholarship holders still open one while their first payment is pending. Ask the German mission what proof they accept for your scholarship.
Opening a blocked account from India
- Choose a provider. Several German providers open blocked accounts online for students living abroad. Compare the fee and the process before you pay.
- Open the account and pay the full amount. Keep the confirmation and the bank letter.
- Get the confirmation letter that states the amount and the monthly release.
- Attach it to your visa application with your admission letter, passport and other documents.
Documents to keep ready
- Admission letter or proof of enrolment from a German university or Studienkolleg.
- Blocked account confirmation, or the scholarship letter.
- Passport, photographs and the visa application form.
- Health insurance for your stay in Germany, if your visa application asks for it.
Common mistakes
- Using last year's amount.
- Paying in less than the full yearly amount.
- Submitting a bank statement where a blocked-account confirmation is needed.
- Forgetting that the monthly release, not the total, is what you can spend.
How Ethicaledu can help
Our team in Hyderabad checks your admission letter, your funds and your visa documents before you apply, and tells you what to fix first. The review is free. See our study abroad service or book a free consultation.
Checked on 14 November 2026 against published 2026 guidance. Amounts and rules change, so always confirm on the official German embassy or consulate website before you apply.
