Calculate exactly how much you need to deposit into your German Sperrkonto for a Student Visa or the new Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card).
Visas usually require proof for a full 12 months, unless you are staying for a shorter period.
Total Amount Required
Once transferred, this money is "blocked". You will only be able to withdraw a maximum of €1,091 per month after arriving in Germany.
If you are a non-EU citizen planning to move to Germany to study, search for a job, or apply for the new Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), you will encounter the term Sperrkonto—or Blocked Account. This is often the largest financial hurdle of the relocation process, but it is entirely mandatory.
The German government requires proof that you can financially sustain yourself without relying on the German social welfare system. The blocked account acts as a financial guarantee. You deposit a large lump sum upfront, and the account is "blocked." Once you arrive in Germany, it is "unblocked" to drip-feed you a strictly limited allowance every month.
The required amounts are strictly defined by the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) rates. The German government periodically adjusts these rates to account for inflation and the rising cost of living.
The current rate for international university students is €992 per month. For a standard one-year visa, you must deposit exactly €11,904. You will not be allowed to withdraw more than €992 in a single month.
Because job seekers are not eligible for student discounts (such as subsidized public transport, cheaper health insurance, and student housing), the government requires a higher amount: €1,091 per month. A full year requires a deposit of €13,092.
When transferring €13,000 internationally, your local bank or intermediary banks often deduct hidden international wire fees. If your transfer arrives in Germany short by even €5, the blocked account provider cannot issue your official confirmation document (Sperrkontobestätigung), which you need for the embassy. Always transfer an extra buffer. The provider will simply add the excess funds to your first month's payout.
You cannot open a blocked account at a standard local branch of Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank anymore. You must use specialized, government-approved digital providers. The three market leaders are Fintiba, Expatrio, and Coracle.
| Provider | Setup Fee | Monthly Fee | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coracle | €99 | €0 / month | Cheapest total cost over 1 year. Fast processing. |
| Expatrio | €49 | €5 / month | "Value Package" waves the €49 fee if you buy Health Insurance with them. |
| Fintiba | €89 | €4.90 / month | Oldest provider, most recognized by embassies. Highly reliable app. |
The Verdict: If you are applying for the Chancenkarte and need to save every penny, Coracle is technically the cheapest because they do not charge the €5 monthly fee. However, Expatrio is incredibly popular because they allow you to set up your mandatory Health Insurance (like TK or Barmer) at the exact same time, which simplifies your paperwork immensely.
Yes. Once you arrive in Germany, the Chancenkarte allows you to work up to 20 hours a week in any job (even a mini-job or bartending) to supplement your blocked account payouts. Once you find a qualified job in your field, you can easily convert the Chancenkarte into an EU Blue Card or standard work permit without having to leave the country.
A blocked account is a special type of bank account required by German immigration law for certain non-EU citizens applying for a Student Visa, Job Seeker Visa, or the new Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card). It proves you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself while in Germany without relying on public funds. The money is "blocked," meaning you can only withdraw a strict maximum amount each month.
As of 2026, the German Federal Foreign Office mandates €992 per month for students (€11,904 for one year) and €1,091 per month for Job Seeker / Chancenkarte applicants (€13,092 for one year). You must deposit the full amount upfront before your visa appointment.
All three are officially approved by the German Federal Foreign Office. Coracle is currently the cheapest overall option as they do not charge a monthly maintenance fee. Expatrio offers excellent "Value Packages" that bundle your blocked account with your mandatory health insurance (TK) for free account setup. Fintiba is the oldest digital provider and highly reliable, but usually the most expensive.
Once you arrive in Germany, you must complete your Anmeldung (City Registration) and open a standard German checking account (Girokonto) with a bank like N26 or Commerzbank. You then upload your registration certificate and German IBAN to your blocked account provider's portal. They will then activate monthly automatic transfers from the blocked account to your regular checking account.
If your visa is rejected, your money is completely safe. You simply send the official rejection letter from the German embassy to your blocked account provider, and they will close the account and refund the full blocked amount back to the original source account. You will only lose the initial setup fee (usually €50-€90) and any minor currency exchange fluctuations.
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