Germany blocked account (Sperrkonto) for Indian students — complete 2026 guide
By Meera Krishnan (Meera Krishnan writes about visas and immigration procedures for Indian travellers — e-visas, visa-on-arrival, Schengen and embassy processes, documentation and rejection appeals — tracking consulate and VFS updates across the countries Indians travel to most.) · Published · 11 min read
A complete 2026 guide to the German blocked account (Sperrkonto) for Indian students: the €11,904 requirement, choosing a provider, the step-by-step process from India, and how the monthly withdrawal works after arrival.
Quick answer
For a 2026 German student visa you must show €11,904 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto), released as €992 per month after you arrive. Open it online before your visa appointment — Expatrio and Fintiba are the popular fast options for Indians, with Deutsche Bank the traditional route. Budget for setup and monthly fees, and verify the current amount officially, as it tracks the German student maintenance rate.
Why the blocked account exists
German consulates require non-EU students to prove they can support themselves for the first year without working illegally or relying on the state. The Sperrkonto is the cleanest way to do this: you deposit a full year's living costs into a special account that 'blocks' the money so you cannot withdraw it all at once. The bank then releases a fixed monthly sum, mimicking a sensible budget.
The amount is pegged to Germany's official student maintenance figure (the BAföG-based rate). For 2026 that is €11,904 for a 12-month visa, i.e. €992 per month. If you are applying instead for the job-seeker or Opportunity Card route, the required monthly figure is higher (around €1,027). Because the rate is reviewed periodically, confirm the exact number on your consulate's checklist before transferring.
Expatrio vs Fintiba vs Deutsche Bank
Three providers dominate for Indian students. All satisfy the consulate; they differ on speed, cost and convenience.
- Expatrio: fully online and typically the cheapest — roughly €89 setup plus a small monthly fee (about €5), so around €149 in year one. Verification is usually within a business day. It bundles options like health insurance, which streamlines the wider visa file.
- Fintiba: also fully online, with strong support and broad consulate familiarity. It costs more — around €159 setup plus roughly €9.90 per month — but issues the blocking confirmation effectively instantly when you pay by card, which suits tight timelines.
- Deutsche Bank: the traditional bank route. It is well recognised but slower and more paperwork-heavy, often requiring documents by post and in-person steps in Germany. Choose it only if you specifically want a major German bank relationship from day one.
Fees and processing change, so check each provider's current terms; for most Indian students Expatrio or Fintiba is the practical pick.
Step-by-step process from India
- Get your admission/eligibility (university offer or Studienkolleg/Uni-assist confirmation) — you need it for the visa, though you can open the blocked account in parallel.
- Choose a provider and create the account online. Have your passport ready.
- Receive the account details and transfer €11,904 from India. Use a cost-effective remittance route and ensure the name on the transfer exactly matches your account.
- Stay within RBI rules: the transfer is under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Education remittances funded by an approved education loan attract no TCS; self-funded amounts above ₹10 lakh in a financial year attract TCS (widely reported at 5% for education), which you can later claim against tax. Verify the current rate officially.
- Get the blocking confirmation once funds clear, and download it.
- Book your visa appointment and submit the confirmation with the rest of your file. Apply early — appointment slots are the real bottleneck.
Common mistakes Indian students make
- Underfunding the account. Transfer the full required amount net of any intermediary bank charges — if fees eat into the deposit and it lands below €11,904, the confirmation may be rejected. Add a small buffer.
- Name mismatches. The remitter and account name must match your passport exactly; mismatches cause delays and returned transfers.
- Leaving it too late. Opening the account is fast, but visa appointments are not — start the whole process months ahead.
- Ignoring TCS and loan paperwork. If you fund via an education loan, keep documentation to claim the TCS exemption; if self-funding, budget for the TCS cash-flow hit and reclaim later.
- Forgetting fees. Setup and monthly charges are separate from the blocked sum — factor them into your budget.
- Assuming the amount never changes. The requirement tracks the maintenance rate and is revised periodically; always check the current figure on your consulate checklist.
After arrival — how the monthly withdrawal works
Once in Germany you complete a few steps before the money starts flowing: register your address (Anmeldung), open a regular German current account (Girokonto), and link it to your blocked account through the provider's portal. After activation, the provider releases €992 each month (on the 1st or the next business day) into your current account.
You cannot withdraw more than the monthly tranche, by design — the account exists to stop you spending the whole year's funds at once. Plan rent and bills around this fixed inflow. Many students open a free student Girokonto; some providers (like Expatrio) offer a bundled current account to speed activation. Keep your blocking confirmation and activation details safe in case of any review.
Netherlands — the similar but different requirement
If Germany is your backup and the Netherlands your alternative, note the parallel. Dutch student applications (MVV/residence permit) also require proof of living funds — the 'bewijs van middelen' — but the mechanism differs. The IND sets a monthly study norm of around €1,130.77 for 2026 (about €13,569 for a year), covering living costs only, not tuition.
The key difference: the Netherlands does not always mandate a 'blocked' account in the German sense. Funds can be shown in several ways — your own bank account, a deposit to the institution, a scholarship, or sponsorship — provided the statement meets IND formatting rules and is recent (typically not older than three months). Each country reviews its figures annually, so confirm the current amount and accepted proof on the official German consulate or Dutch IND pages before you transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need in a German blocked account in 2026?
For a 12-month student visa in 2026 you must deposit €11,904, which is released as €992 per month after you arrive. The figure is based on Germany's official student maintenance rate. The job-seeker or Opportunity Card route requires more (around €1,027 per month). Always confirm the current amount on your consulate's checklist.
Which is better, Expatrio or Fintiba?
Expatrio is usually cheaper (around €89 setup plus a small monthly fee) and fully online, making it the default for many Indian students. Fintiba costs more (around €159 plus about €9.90 per month) but issues the blocking confirmation almost instantly when you pay by card, which helps on tight visa timelines. Both are accepted by consulates.
How long does it take to open a Sperrkonto from India?
Creating the account online takes minutes, and providers like Expatrio verify within about a business day, while Fintiba can confirm blocking almost instantly on card payment. The slower part is the international transfer clearing and, separately, getting a visa appointment — so start the whole process several months before your intended departure.
Do I pay TCS on the money I send to my blocked account?
It depends on funding. Education remittances funded by an approved education loan attract no TCS. Self-funded amounts above ₹10 lakh in a financial year attract TCS (commonly reported at 5% for education) under the LRS. TCS is creditable against your tax, so keep records and reclaim it. Verify the current rate officially before transferring.
Can I withdraw all the money once I reach Germany?
No. The account is 'blocked' precisely to prevent that. After you register your address, open a German current account and activate the link, the provider releases a fixed €992 per month into your current account. You cannot take out more than the monthly tranche, so budget your rent and living costs around it.
What happens if my transfer arrives below €11,904?
Intermediary bank charges can shave the deposit below the required amount, and a shortfall can cause the blocking confirmation to be rejected. Always send a small buffer above €11,904 and use a remittance route with transparent fees. Confirm the cleared balance before requesting your blocking confirmation for the visa file.
Is the blocked account amount the same every year?
No. It tracks Germany's student maintenance rate, which is reviewed periodically — the €11,904 / €992 figure applies to 2026 but has changed in the past and may change again. Always check the exact amount on your specific consulate's current checklist before you open the account and transfer funds.
Does the Netherlands need a blocked account too?
Not in the same way. Dutch student applications require proof of living funds (around €1,130.77 per month for 2026) but accept several forms — your own account, a deposit to the institution, a scholarship or sponsorship — provided statements meet IND rules and are recent. It is generally more flexible than Germany's blocked-account mechanism.