Germany's Blocked Account: How Much You Need and How to Set It Up

Germany's student visa financial requirement works differently from most countries — instead of showing a bank statement, you deposit funds into a 'blocked account' (Sperrkonto) that releases a fixed monthly amount to you once you arrive, guaranteeing you can't run out of money mid-year.

For the current academic year, the required annual deposit is set by the German Foreign Office and adjusted periodically — we confirm the exact current figure with every student before opening an account, since using an outdated number is a common and entirely avoidable error.

You can open a blocked account with providers like Fintiba, Expatrio, or Deutsche Bank, entirely online, before you even leave Pakistan. The process takes 1–3 business days once your documents are ready, and you'll need your university admission letter, passport copy, and proof of the source of funds.

Once you land in Germany and register your address (Anmeldung), the account begins releasing a fixed monthly withdrawal amount — you cannot withdraw more than this monthly limit, which is intentional and protects your visa status.

One detail students often miss: the blocked account only covers living costs, not tuition. If you're attending a program with tuition fees, that amount needs to be documented and paid separately, and we factor both into your overall financial planning from the start.