German blocked account 2026: How the €11,904 Sperrkonto works and how to fund it
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The blocked account trips up more German visa applications than almost anything else. This guide explains the 2026 euro 11,904 requirement, how the it works, which providers to use, and how to fund it
If you're applying for a German student visa from outside the EU, the blocked account is probably the single requirement most likely to catch you off guard. It needs to be sorted early, funded correctly, and set up with a provider your consulate actually accepts. Here's exactly how it works for 2026-27.
What a blocked account actually is
A blocked account, known in German as a Sperrkonto, is a special account that holds a set amount of money and releases it to you in fixed monthly instalments once you've enrolled in Germany. It exists so German authorities can see you have enough to live on without letting you draw down the whole amount at once. Most non-EU students need one to get their student visa.
The 2026 amount: €11,904, released monthly
For 2026, the requirement is €11,904 for the year, released at roughly €992 a month, confirmed by the German Federal Foreign Office. You deposit the full amount upfront, and your provider releases it to you in equal instalments, about a twelfth each month, once you've arrived and enrolled.
Worth knowing if you're researching Germany more broadly: the Chancenkarte, Germany's separate points based job seeker visa, has its own blocked account requirement of €13,092 a year, or €1,091 a month. That's a different visa for a different purpose, so don't confuse the two figures if you come across both while researching.
The 2026 amount: €11,904, released monthly
For 2026, the requirement is €11,904 for the year, released at roughly €992 a month, confirmed by the German Federal Foreign Office. You deposit the full amount upfront, and your provider releases it to you in equal instalments, about a twelfth each month, once you've arrived and enrolled.
Worth knowing if you're researching Germany more broadly: the Chancenkarte, Germany's separate points based job seeker visa, has its own blocked account requirement of €13,092 a year, or €1,091 a month. That's a different visa for a different purpose, so don't confuse the two figures if you come across both while researching.
Which providers are actually accepted
As of recent checks, two online providers handle most non-EU student blocked accounts: Expatrio and Fintiba. Both are accepted by German consulates, though it's always worth confirming current acceptance with your specific consulate before you commit to one.
Deutsche Bank also offers a traditional blocked account, though it typically requires in-person verification at a German branch, which makes it impractical if you're setting this up before you've arrived. A third provider, Coracle, paused new applications in 2025 for a system upgrade with no confirmed reopening date at the time of writing, so it's worth checking its current status directly before assuming it's an option.
The realistic timeline
Once you start the process, identity verification with your provider typically takes one to three days, the international transfer itself usually takes three to seven business days, and your provider then needs another one to two business days to verify the deposit and issue your confirmation certificate (Sperrbescheinigung). Altogether, that's often two to three weeks if everything goes smoothly, longer if anything needs correcting. Starting the process two to three months before your visa appointment gives you a realistic buffer.
Common mistakes that delay or sink an application
Depositing the wrong amount. Sending a language course or Chancenkarte figure instead of the student visa amount, or vice versa, is one of the most frequent errors.
Using a paused or unrecognised provider. Confirm your chosen provider is currently accepted by your specific consulate before you transfer any money.
Name mismatches. Your name on the account needs to match your passport character for character. "M. Ali" on one and "Mohammed Ali" on the other can cause real problems.
Starting too late. Opening your account right before your visa appointment leaves no room for delays. Start two to three months ahead if you can.
Sending partial transfers. Splitting your deposit into two payments, rather than sending the full amount in one transaction, can complicate verification.
Funding your blocked account with a loan
If you don't have €11,904 sitting ready to deposit, a loan can help cover it alongside your other costs. Prodigy Finance offers loans with no co-signer and no collateral, assessed on your future earning potential rather than your family's income or assets, with a representative APR of 13.38%* that already includes a mandatory in-school payment of USD $100 a month, factored into your rate rather than charged separately.
Exactly how loan funds interact with your specific blocked account provider depends on that provider and the current German rules, so confirm the details with your provider directly before you apply. Because eligibility and country coverage can also vary by intake, checking your eligibility directly is the fastest way to get a definite answer for your own situation.
Get your blocked account sorted early
The blocked account trips up more applications than almost anything else in the German visa process, mostly through timing and small administrative errors rather than the requirement itself being unreasonable. Start early, use a currently accepted provider, and send your full deposit in one transaction, and it becomes one of the more predictable parts of your application.
Working out how to fund your blocked account? Check your eligibility with Prodigy Finance.
FAQs
How much can I withdraw from my blocked account each month?
Can I use a student loan to fund my blocked account?
What happens if I only partially fund my account?
Is every blocked account provider currently accepted?
Does checking my eligibility with Prodigy Finance affect my credit score?
