The German Blocked Account, Explained: What €992 a Month Really Means

Every Germany conversation in our Patiala office reaches the same moment. The student loves the university, the parents love the tuition fees — and then someone asks: "Blocked account ki hunda?"

Here is the full, honest answer.

What the blocked account actually is

Germany asks most international students to prove they can pay their own living costs — not with a relative's promise or a property paper, but with money deposited into a special blocked account (Sperrkonto) before the visa is decided.

"Blocked" means exactly that: you cannot withdraw it freely. After you arrive in Germany, the account releases a fixed amount back to you every month. It is proof of funds and a built-in monthly budget at the same time — a very German solution.

For a standard first-year file covering 12 months, that is €11,904 deposited up front — roughly ₹13 lakh at recent exchange rates. Run your own months and today's rate through our free Germany Blocked Account Calculator.

How the process works

1. Get your admission first

   The blocked account comes after the university admission, not before. Deposit nothing until the course and intake are real.

2. Open the account with a recognised provider

   Providers commonly used by Indian students include Expatrio, Fintiba and Coracle. The consulate must accept the provider's confirmation format — one reason to have someone check before you transfer ₹13 lakh.

3. Transfer and collect the blocking confirmation

   You transfer the full amount (plus the provider's setup and buffer amounts, where applicable) and receive a blocking confirmation — the document that actually goes into the visa file.

4. After arrival, activate and draw monthly

   In Germany you complete the provider's activation steps, and the account starts releasing your monthly amount — your living budget for the year.

What the blocked account does NOT cover

Budget these separately, because the visa file and your first semester will demand them:

That last table is also the honest answer to "is Germany free?" — tuition at most public universities is minimal, but Germany asks you to prove your living costs in advance, in cash. Low-fee, yes. Free, no.

The mistakes that actually hurt files

The same blocked-account errors recur in Punjab files, year after year: depositing before the admission is confirmed, using a provider format the consulate questions, funding the account with a large unexplained transfer that contradicts the family's bank story, and copying last year's amount from an old YouTube video. Every one of them is avoidable with an hour of checking — before the money moves.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get the blocked-account money back if the visa is refused?

The deposit is your own money and providers have a defined refund process if the visa is refused — expect deductions for fees and some weeks of processing time. It is not money lost, but it is money locked; another reason the file around it should be built properly the first time.

Can my parents' fixed deposit replace the blocked account?

On its own, no — an Indian fixed deposit is not accepted as Germany's living-cost proof. For most Indian students the blocked account is the standard, expected route. Alternatives such as a formal sponsorship declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) exist in German law but fit specific situations. Assume the blocked account, and let a consultant confirm if your case genuinely fits an alternative.

Does a full blocked account guarantee the visa?

No — and be careful with anyone who says otherwise. It satisfies the funds requirement; the officer still weighs your admission, academic story and intent. The decision always rests with the visa officer.

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Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd is a Government of Punjab licensed consultancy (Licence No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024), Nabha Road, Patiala. Explore every route on the Study in Europe hub — and bring your marksheets to the office for a free country-fit sit-down.