Non-EU ex-pats generally need a visa to enter and reside in Germany. International students whose stay in the country is not short-term require a national visa for longer-term stays of more than 90 days. However, a blocked bank account (“Sperrkonto”) is required to apply for a visa. This form of bank account ensures that sufficient financial resources are available to cover living expenses in Germany. Being able to support yourself is typically one of the standard requirements for obtaining a visa.
At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our German lawyers support you in all steps of the visa application process and advise you comprehensively on all necessary documents. We aim to ensure that the process is as uncomplicated as possible and that you obtain the required residence permit as quickly as possible. Our German immigration lawyers will examine all options and present you with the best possible solution. We also advise you on other residence permits and oversee and manage their applications.
What is a Blocked Bank Account for Students in Germany?
A blocked bank account is a special bank account set up for foreign students as part of their visa. It can be opened at any financial institution in Germany or the country of origin. For the account holder, there can be significant differences in the banking model itself, the range of additional services offered, and the amount of the account management fee.
To open an account, you must complete the bank’s account opening form and submit notarised copies of a valid passport and your study permit. The notarisations are usually carried out by the German consulate or embassy where you apply for your visa. The final step is to pay the required amount of money, which is equal to the current maximum funding rate of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), into the blocked bank account (the amount envisaged for 2025 for annual standard requirements: 11,904 euros). Once the payment has been made, the student receives a confirmation, which must be enclosed with the visa application.
Unfortunately, there are always delays when setting up the blocked bank account – the student should always bear this in mind when planning, as the visa will usually only be approved once the account has been set up and the corresponding proof has been submitted. It is also important to note that the German blocked bank account is to be handled with the German currency, the euro, so the respective exchange rate can cause fluctuations when making deposits with other currencies.
Handling a Blocked Bank Account in Germany
The special feature of a blocked account compared to a standard account is the limited access. As a rule, the account holder can only withdraw a fixed amount each month – for their monthly living expenses. This restriction is intended to ensure that the funds are sufficient for the entire duration of the study programme so that the international student is not dependent on state funds for the duration of their stay but can cover their living expenses independently.
Alternatives to a Blocked Bank Account and Special Cases
Although the blocked bank account is the generally recognised standard proof for securing living expenses and is usually accepted by all German embassies, other forms of financial proof can be recognised. However, it always depends on the respective embassy whether this alternative proof is sufficient. For example, a comprehensive scholarship can be presented as proof, which must then demonstrably cover the required amount.
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has defined the legal requirements for this financial proof in the General Administrative Regulation on the Residence Act of 26 October 2009. It states that the requirements are met by paying a security deposit into a blocked bank account at a financial institution authorised to carry out banking transactions in Germany, from which only 1/12 of the deposited amount may be paid out each month. The blocked bank account must be set up in the student’s name, and the blocking note must be entered in favour of the public-law regional authority to which the responsible immigration authority is to be assigned. Without establishing a blocked account and proof of payment of a fixed amount, the visa application may be rejected.
On request, our German Immigration lawyers will contact the relevant authorities regarding the respective recognisability and advise you on possible alternatives.
Practice Group: Our German Immigration Lawyers
Practice Group:
Our German Immigration Lawyers
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