Blocked Account Germany 2026: €11,904 Amount, Best Banks, Process & Step-by-Step Guide

A blocked account Germany 2026 (Sperrkonto) is the mandatory financial proof every Indian student needs to obtain a German student visa — and the amount has increased to €11,904 per year (€992/month) in 2026. Opening a blocked account Germany 2026 is non-negotiable: the German embassy will reject your visa application without it. Indian students must deposit the full €11,904 (approximately ₹11.1 Lakhs at current exchange rates) into a blocked account before their visa interview. The three main providers — Expatrio, Fintiba, and Deutsche Bank — offer different fees, processing times, and features. This complete 2026 guide from EEC — 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ Indian students placed — walks you through every detail: what a blocked account is, the exact amount required, a head-to-head comparison of all three banks, the step-by-step opening process, monthly withdrawal rules, required documents, and the most common mistakes Indian students make. Whether you are applying for a German student visa, a Master's programme, or an MBA in Germany, this guide covers everything.

What Is a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) — And Why Do Indian Students Need One?

A blocked account is a special type of German bank account where you deposit a fixed amount of money that is "blocked" — meaning you cannot withdraw the full amount at once. Instead, a fixed monthly amount (€992 in 2026) is released to your regular German bank account each month, proving to German authorities that you can financially support yourself throughout your studies. The blocked account serves as your proof of financial means (Finanzierungsnachweis) for the German student visa application.

The German government requires this because, unlike Canada (GIC of CAD $22,895) or the UK (£1,334/month for 9 months in London), Germany does not charge tuition at public universities — so the blocked account is the primary way to ensure Indian students can afford living expenses. Without tuition to collect, the German government needs alternative assurance that international students will not become a financial burden. The blocked account system has been mandatory since 2010, and the annual amount is revised every year based on the BAföG (federal student aid) rate.

Blocked Account vs Regular Bank Account

A blocked account is NOT your regular German bank account. After arriving in Germany, you will open a separate Girokonto (current account) at a bank like Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, N26, or Commerzbank for daily transactions. Your monthly €992 release from the blocked account will be transferred to this Girokonto automatically. You can also deposit your part-time job earnings into the Girokonto. Think of the blocked account as your "visa account" and the Girokonto as your "daily account."

Blocked Account Amount in 2026 — How Much Do Indian Students Need to Deposit?

The blocked account Germany 2026 requirement is €11,904 per year, calculated at €992 per month × 12 months. This amount was increased from €11,208 (€934/month) in 2024, reflecting rising living costs in Germany. At the current EUR/INR exchange rate (approximately ₹93), this translates to roughly ₹11.07 Lakhs.

If your programme starts in October 2026 (winter semester) and you need a visa for 12 months, you deposit €11,904. If you receive an initial visa for only 6 months (some embassies issue shorter visas), you may need to deposit only 6 × €992 = €5,952 — but most Indian students deposit the full 12-month amount to avoid complications during visa extension in Germany. For programmes longer than 12 months, you top up your blocked account before your visa/residence permit renewal at the Ausländerbehörde.

Expatrio vs Fintiba vs Deutsche Bank — Which Blocked Account Provider Should Indian Students Choose in 2026?

Three providers dominate the blocked account Germany 2026 market for Indian students. Each has different fees, processing times, and features. Here is the definitive comparison:

Regardless of which provider you choose, all three are accepted by every German embassy and consulate worldwide. The German embassy in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru all accept confirmation letters from Expatrio, Fintiba, and Deutsche Bank equally. The key difference is speed: if your visa appointment is in 2 weeks, Expatrio or Fintiba (online, 3-5 day processing) are your only realistic options — Deutsche Bank's 2-4 week processing time may not leave enough time.

Step-by-Step Process to Open a Blocked Account — 2026 Guide for Indian Students

Opening a blocked account Germany 2026 is straightforward if you follow the correct steps. Here is the complete process using Expatrio (the most common choice for Indian students):

The entire process from account creation to confirmation letter takes 8-12 days with Expatrio. EEC recommends starting your blocked account process at least 4-6 weeks before your visa appointment to account for bank transfer delays, verification issues, and any unexpected complications. Indian banks sometimes take 3-5 business days for SWIFT transfers to Germany, and you need the LRS (Liberalised Remittance Scheme) declaration from your bank — which itself can take 1-2 days to process.

Monthly Withdrawal Rules — How Does the €992/Month Release Work?

Once you arrive in Germany and complete your Anmeldung (city registration), you activate the monthly release from your blocked account. Here is how the withdrawal process works in 2026:

Your blocked account provider (Expatrio, Fintiba, or Deutsche Bank) releases exactly €992 per month on the 1st of each month (or the next business day). This amount is automatically transferred to the German Girokonto (current account) you specify during activation. You cannot withdraw more than €992 in any single month — the account is "blocked" precisely to prevent this. If you do not withdraw in a given month, the €992 accumulates and can be withdrawn in the following month (but the monthly cap still applies going forward).

What If You Need More Than €992/Month?

The blocked account release is designed to cover your basic living expenses. If you need additional funds — for example, for a security deposit on an apartment (Kaution, typically 2-3 months' rent = €800–€1,800) — you have several options: (1) receive additional money from family in India via SWIFT transfer to your Girokonto (not your blocked account), (2) use earnings from part-time jobs, or (3) request a one-time emergency release from your blocked account provider (Expatrio and Fintiba sometimes approve this for documented emergencies like medical bills or security deposits). EEC recommends bringing an additional €1,500–€2,000 beyond your blocked account for initial settling-in costs in Germany.

Topping Up Your Blocked Account

For multi-year programmes (most Master's degrees are 2 years), you need to top up your blocked account before your residence permit renewal at the Ausländerbehörde. You must deposit another €11,904 for the second year before your visa extension appointment. Start the top-up process 6-8 weeks before your residence permit expiry. Indian students can transfer funds from India using the same SWIFT process. If you have been earning from part-time work, you can also deposit your German earnings into the blocked account to fulfil the top-up requirement.

Documents Needed to Open a Blocked Account — 2026 Checklist for Indian Students

Gathering the right documents before starting your blocked account Germany 2026 application saves time and prevents delays. Here is the complete checklist:

Most Indian students complete the document gathering in 1-2 days. The only potential delay is the LRS (Liberalised Remittance Scheme) declaration from your Indian bank — some bank branches are unfamiliar with the process and may take 2-3 days. EEC recommends visiting your bank branch in person, carrying all documents listed above, and specifically requesting a SWIFT transfer to a German Sperrkonto under the "education" category of LRS. The RBI allows up to $250,000 per financial year under LRS — your €11,904 (approximately $12,800) is well within this limit.

7 Common Mistakes Indian Students Make with Blocked Accounts — And How to Avoid Them

After guiding thousands of Indian students through the blocked account Germany 2026 process, EEC has identified the most common mistakes that cause delays, rejections, and financial losses:

Mistake 1: Starting Too Late

Indian students often start the blocked account process 1-2 weeks before their visa appointment. With SWIFT transfers taking 3-5 business days, video verification requiring 1-2 days, and account activation taking 3-5 days, this leaves zero margin for error. Start at least 4-6 weeks before your visa appointment.

Mistake 2: Name Mismatch Between Passport and Account

If your passport says "Rajesh Kumar Sharma" but you register on Expatrio as "Rajesh K. Sharma" or "Rajesh Sharma," the German embassy may reject your visa application. Your blocked account name must match your passport name exactly — including middle names, initials, and spelling.

Mistake 3: Wrong SWIFT Transfer Details

Entering an incorrect IBAN, wrong SWIFT/BIC code, or forgetting the reference number means your €11,904 goes to the wrong destination. Recovery takes 2-4 weeks. Always double-check every character with your bank officer and use the exact details from your Expatrio/Fintiba dashboard.

Mistake 4: Not Accounting for Bank Charges

Indian banks charge ₹500–₹1,500 for SWIFT transfers, and intermediary banks may deduct €15–€25 in transit. If you transfer exactly €11,904 and €20 is deducted in transit, your blocked account shows €11,884 — and the confirmation letter will show an insufficient amount. Always transfer €11,904 + €50 buffer to cover transit charges.

Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Transfer Method

PayPal, Western Union, Wise, and other payment services are NOT accepted for blocked account deposits. Only direct bank SWIFT transfers from your Indian bank account are accepted. Do not try shortcuts — they do not work and waste valuable time.

Mistake 6: Not Downloading the Confirmation Letter Immediately

Once your deposit is confirmed, download and print the Sperrbescheinigung (confirmation letter) immediately. Some Indian students forget to print it before their visa appointment, causing panic. Print 2 copies and save a digital copy on your phone and email.

Mistake 7: Forgetting to Activate Monthly Release After Arrival

After arriving in Germany and completing your Anmeldung, you must log into your blocked account provider and set up the monthly €992 release to your German Girokonto. Indian students who forget this step find themselves without access to their own money for weeks. Activate the release within the first week of arrival.

“I almost transferred my €11,904 to the wrong IBAN — my bank officer typed one digit incorrectly. Luckily, I had EEC's checklist and double-checked every character before confirming. The transfer went through perfectly, my Expatrio account was activated in 4 days, and I had my confirmation letter a full 3 weeks before my visa appointment at VFS Mumbai. EEC's guidance on the blocked account process was invaluable.”

— Ananya P., MS Data Science, TU Berlin — Blocked Account via Expatrio, Visa Approved First Attempt

The blocked account Germany 2026 is a simple but critical step in your German student visa application. At €11,904 (€992/month), it ensures Indian students can support themselves financially throughout their studies — and the money comes back to you every month. Choose Expatrio for the fastest, cheapest, and most streamlined experience (€49 one-time fee, 100% online, 8-12 day total processing). Start at least 4-6 weeks before your visa appointment, transfer €11,904 + €50 buffer via SWIFT from your Indian bank, ensure your name matches your passport exactly, and download your confirmation letter immediately after activation. Combined with free tuition at public universities, part-time earnings of €800–€1,400/month, and potential DAAD scholarships, the blocked account ensures Indian students in Germany in 2026 are financially secure from day one. EEC has guided 50,000+ Indian students through the blocked account process, visa applications, and post-study career success. Book your free consultation today, or visit your nearest EEC centre for in-person guidance. Whether you are applying for a Master's, an MBA, or exploring English-taught programmes — EEC handles your blocked account, visa, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions: Blocked Account Germany