A German blocked account is a bank account you pay your living costs into before you apply for a student visa. In 2026 students must show 992 euros per month, which is 11,904 euros for a full year. After you arrive, you can withdraw up to 992 euros each month.
Key points
- Students: 992 euros per month, 11,904 euros per year.
- Open the account before you apply for the visa.
- A blocked account is one accepted proof of funds, not the only one.
- If your visa is refused, the rejection letter is enough to release your money.
How much money do you need in 2026?
The required amount for students in 2026 is 992 euros per month, according to the DAAD, applying since 1 January 2025. The German missions in India, Nigeria and Pakistan state the same figure. The amount is based on the maximum rate of BAföG, the German state support for students, so it can change; missions describe it as the amount that applies “currently”.
| Who | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Students, including preparatory language courses for university | 992 euros | 11,904 euros |
| Study applicants still looking for a university place (section 17 Residence Act), language courses not preparing for university, Opportunity Card | 1,091 euros | 13,092 euros |
The account usually covers one year, unless your planned stay is shorter. For a planned stay of six months, students deposit 5,952 euros. Our blocked account calculator works out the amount for any number of months.
Sources: DAAD: Costs of education and living; German Missions in France: Proof of finance; German Missions in Italy: Opening and closing a blocked bank account.
How does a blocked account work?
You transfer the full amount into the account before you apply. The account carries a blocking notice, so the money cannot be accessed until you enter Germany. After that, you can withdraw one twelfth of the yearly amount per month, which is 992 euros for students.
The blocking notice names a beneficiary: the German mission abroad or the foreigners authority in Germany. The beneficiary cannot withdraw your money; it only controls the block.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office: Blocked account; DAAD: Costs of education and living.
How to open a blocked account
- Choose a provider. Any bank or financial institution permitted to conduct banking business in Germany can offer one. The Federal Foreign Office no longer keeps an official list of providers; it deleted its list in 2022. The German missions in Italy name Fintiba, Expatrio, Sparkasse and Deutsche Bank as examples. A Deutsche Bank blocked account needs a signature certification from a German mission, which costs a fee.
- Open it and transfer the money. You can usually open a blocked account online. Typical bank fees are 70 to 150 euros, according to the DAAD, on top of the amount you deposit.
- Get the opening confirmation. Open the account before you apply. The missions only accept the official opening confirmation that states the total amount paid in and the amount available each month.
- Apply for your visa with the confirmation. The money becomes available once you have entered Germany.
Sources: German Missions in France: Proof of finance; Federal Foreign Office: Blocked account; German Missions in Italy: Opening and closing a blocked bank account; DAAD: Costs of education and living.
Do you need a blocked account? The alternatives
A blocked account is one way to prove that you can pay for your living costs. German missions also accept other proof:
- Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung). A sponsor commits to covering your costs. The sponsor must live in Germany, and the letter must not be older than six months.
- Scholarship. Submit a confirmation of the scholarship amount. If it is less than 992 euros per month, you open a blocked account for the missing amount.
- Other proof. The DAAD also lists proof of parental income. Individual missions accept further options, such as an education loan in India. See the country sections below.
Sources: German Missions in France: Proof of finance; German Missions in Italy: Opening and closing a blocked bank account; DAAD: Costs of education and living.
What happens if your visa is refused?
If your visa application is rejected, the rejection letter is enough to lift the blocking notice and get your money back. If you did not apply, withdrew your application, did not use your visa, or left the Schengen area before receiving a residence permit, the German mission issues a consular certificate. You submit it to your bank to close the account.
Sources: German Missions in Italy: Opening and closing a blocked bank account; Federal Foreign Office: Blocked account.
Rules by country: India, Nigeria and Pakistan
Each German mission publishes its own list of accepted proof. These are the rules on the missions’ own pages.
Applying from India
Accepted proof of financial means:
- A blocked account with 11,904 euros, and a confirmation that no more than 992 euros can be withdrawn per month
- A formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany
- Proof of a German or EU scholarship or stipend
- Proof of an education loan
Also note:
- If your school-leaving certificate or degrees are Indian, you almost always need a certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS).
- Applications go through the Consular Services Portal.
- Duolingo, Pearson PTE and TOEFL home edition tests are not recognised for applications in India.
Source: German Missions in India: Checklist for studies, page dated 16 February 2026.
Applying from Nigeria
Accepted proof of financial means:
- A blocked account with 992 euros per month for university studies, including preparatory language courses
- A formal obligation letter that is not older than six months
- Income from a part-time job of up to 20 hours per week
Also note:
- The amount must cover your planned stay, up to a maximum of one year.
- You can only apply after booking an appointment in advance; study applications go through the service provider VFS.
- If your university does not accept full payment of tuition upfront, the mission asks you to add those funds to your blocked account.
Source: German Missions in Nigeria: Financial means, page undated.
Applying from Pakistan
Accepted proof of financial means:
- A blocked bank account
- A formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung); the sponsor must prove sufficient means, for example with payslips and bank statements covering at least six months
- A German or foreign official scholarship. A scholarship from a Pakistani university is not sufficient; of Pakistani scholarships, only one awarded by the HEC is accepted
Also note:
- Your blocked account signature can be attested at the Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate General in Karachi or the Honorary Consul in Lahore, for a fee of 25 euros.
- Applications go through the Consular Services Portal; incomplete applications are processed more slowly.
Source: German Embassy Islamabad: How to finance your stay, page dated 27 November 2025.
Sources and method
We read every page below on 6 November 2026 and only used what they state. Where a mission page shows a date, it is listed. We review this guide at least every three months. Rules can change, so confirm the details with the German mission that handles your application before you transfer money. AdmitArrive may receive commissions from service providers; this guide does not recommend a specific blocked account provider.
- DAAD: Costs of education and living
- Federal Foreign Office: Blocked account
- German Missions in Italy: Opening and closing a blocked bank account (page dated 21 January 2025)
- German Missions in France: Proof of finance (page dated 10 April 2025)
- German Missions in India: Checklist for studies (page dated 16 February 2026)
- German Missions in India: National visa (page dated 1 October 2026)
- German Missions in Nigeria: Financial means
- German Missions in Nigeria: University studies
- German Embassy Islamabad: How to finance your stay (page dated 27 November 2025)
- German Embassy Islamabad: Visa for students (page dated 27 November 2025)