Blocked Account Calculator for Germany

A blocked account (Sperrkonto in German) is a German bank account that proves you can cover your living costs. You deposit the money before applying for your visa, and once you are in Germany a fixed share of it is released to you each month. A blocked account is not automatically required for an Ausbildung visa. It exists to close a financing gap. Your training allowance itself can serve as proof that you can support yourself, provided it meets the minimum for your visa purpose: €1,048 gross (about €822 net) per month for in-company (dual) training, or €959 per month for school-based training. If your allowance is below that minimum, or your training pays no allowance at all, you close the gap with a blocked account or a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany.

There is no single Ausbildung figure. When a blocked account is needed, the amount is set by the German mission handling your application. The Federal Foreign Office states that it varies by purpose of stay and follows the maximum BAföG rates. Confirm the exact figure with your responsible German mission before you transfer any money. If your in-company training allowance already meets the monthly minimum, you may not need a blocked account at all. The widely quoted €11,904 (€992/month) is the student visa reference amount, in force since 1 January 2025 and unchanged for 2026. This calculator uses it as a default because provider fee comparisons are built around it, so treat the result as a cost comparison, not as your required deposit.

You should open your blocked account 3-4 months before your visa appointment. The timeline: Month 1: Research banks and choose provider, Month 2: Submit application and wait for account confirmation (can take 2-4 weeks), Month 3: Transfer funds and wait for confirmation certificate (1-2 weeks), Month 4: Use confirmation certificate for visa application. Starting early is crucial because international bank transfers can take time, and you need the certificate before your visa interview.

Popular blocked account providers include: Fintiba (€149 setup, most popular, fast processing), Deutsche Bank (€150 setup, traditional option), Expatrio (€49 setup, includes additional services), Coracle (digital-first, competitive fees), X-Patrio (student-focused). Each has different fees, processing times, and additional services. Our calculator helps you compare total costs including setup fees, monthly charges, and transfer fees.

Total costs typically include: Setup/Opening Fee: €49-€150 (one-time), Monthly Account Fee: €0-€5.90/month, International Transfer Fee: €10-€50 (varies by your bank), Currency Conversion Fee: 0.5%-3% of transfer amount. Total first-year costs typically range from €100 to €300 depending on the provider. Our calculator shows exact costs for each option so you can choose the most affordable solution.

No, you cannot use a regular savings account from your home country. German visa authorities only accept blocked accounts (Sperrkonto) from specific German banks or authorized international providers. These accounts have special legal status in Germany and are regulated to ensure monthly withdrawal limits. You must use one of the approved providers like Fintiba, Deutsche Bank, Expatrio, or other licensed Sperrkonto services.

Once you arrive in Germany and register your address (Anmeldung), your blocked account is activated for monthly withdrawals. The money is transferred to your regular German bank account (like N26, Sparkasse, or Deutsche Bank). You cannot withdraw the full amount at once. For an account set up to cover a year, the release is limited to 1/12 of the total each month, so you have funds available throughout the year.

If your visa application is rejected, you can request a full refund of your blocked account deposit. The process: Submit visa rejection letter to your blocked account provider, Request account closure and refund, Money is transferred back to your original account within 2-4 weeks, Setup fees are generally non-refundable. Keep all documentation from your visa interview. Most providers have straightforward refund processes for rejected visa cases.

Often not. A blocked account is not automatically required for an Ausbildung visa. It exists to close a financing gap. Your training allowance itself can serve as proof that you can support yourself, provided it meets the minimum for your visa purpose: €1,048 gross (about €822 net) per month for in-company (dual) training, or €959 per month for school-based training. If your allowance is below that minimum, or your training pays no allowance at all, you close the gap with a blocked account or a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany. A part-time job of up to 20 hours per week can also count towards your living costs. Requirements are applied by the German mission handling your application, so confirm your own case with them.

Yes, you can add more money to your blocked account at any time. This is useful if: Living costs increase, You want extra emergency funds, You extend your stay in Germany beyond the initial period, Your visa is extended for additional training years. Simply make another international transfer to your blocked account number. The monthly withdrawal limit may be adjusted based on the new total balance and remaining months.