Free tool · Verified 14 June 2026
Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) Calculator
For a German student visa you must show €11,904 for one year in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — that is €992 per month of your stay (the official Regelbedarf). Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) job-seekers must show more: €1,091 per month (€13,092 for a year). The money is blocked and released to you in monthly instalments after you arrive in Germany.
Work out how much to block
Pick your visa type and how many months you will stay.
Degree, Studienkolleg or language course
You need to block
€11,904
12 months × €992. Deposit about €12,054 to cover transfer fees, then withdraw €992 per month after you arrive.
We'll set your purpose and put the blocked account — and everything it unlocks — on a dated plan.
How much money you need in a German blocked account
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is proof that you can cover your living costs. You deposit a fixed sum up front; it is "blocked" and released to you in monthly instalments after you arrive. The required amount depends on your visa type and how long you will stay.
| Visa type | Per month | Full year |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (degree, Studienkolleg or language course) | €992 | €11,904 |
| Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) / job seeker | €1,091 | €13,092 |
For a stay shorter than a year you need the monthly rate × the number of months. EU/EEA citizens do not need a blocked account. Tip: deposit ~€100–150 more than the minimum so transfer fees don't drop the balance below the required amount.
Worked examples
- Full-year student: 12 months × €992 = €11,904 to block (released as €992/month).
- 6-month Studienkolleg or language course: 6 months × €992 = €5,952 to block (released as €992/month).
- Opportunity Card job seeker (1 year): 12 months × €1,091 = €13,092 to block (released as €1,091/month).
What the blocked account unlocks
- Your visa appointment — The blocking confirmation is one of the core documents the embassy checks before issuing a student or Opportunity Card visa.
- Arrival and Anmeldung — Once you arrive you register your address (Anmeldung) — the first step that unlocks your tax ID and bank account.
- A German current account — After Anmeldung you open a normal account and connect it to the blocked account to receive your monthly payout.
- Health insurance enrolment — Student health insurance and enrolment at your university follow once your finances and registration are in place.
How to open and fund a blocked account
- Work out your exact amount. Multiply your monthly rate (€992 for students, €1,091 for the Opportunity Card) by the number of months you will stay, up to one year.
- Open a blocked account online. Providers such as Fintiba, Expatrio or Coracle open a Sperrkonto online with just your passport — no admission letter needed to open it.
- Transfer the funds (plus a small buffer). Transfer the required amount yourself or via a family member; add ~€100–150 so fees do not drop the balance below the minimum.
- Get the blocking confirmation. Download the blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) and submit it with your visa application.
- Withdraw monthly after arrival. Once in Germany, link a normal current account and withdraw up to one twelfth of the total each month.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need in a blocked account for a German student visa in 2026?
For a one-year student visa you must show €11,904 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — €992 per month. This is the official Regelbedarf set by the Federal Foreign Office and linked to the BAföG rate; it has been in force since 1 September 2024 and is unchanged for 2026. For a shorter stay you need €992 for each month you will be in Germany.
How much is the blocked account for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)?
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) job seekers must show more than students: €1,091 per month, which is €13,092 for a full year. You can also prove secured livelihood with a notarised obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) or a part-time job contract instead of a blocked account.
Do I get the blocked account money back / how is it paid out?
Yes — it is your money. You deposit the full amount up front and it is "blocked"; after you arrive in Germany and open a normal current account, you can withdraw a maximum of one twelfth (your monthly rate) each month to cover living costs.
Do EU students need a blocked account?
No. Citizens of EU/EEA countries generally do not need a blocked account to study in Germany. The requirement applies to non-EU/EEA nationals who need a visa.
Should I deposit a bit more than the minimum?
It is sensible to transfer slightly more than the exact minimum (around €100–150 extra) so that bank and international-transfer fees do not leave the balance below the required amount when the embassy checks it.
Sources
Verified against the official source on .
- Study in Germany (DAAD official portal) — Proof of financing — backs the €11,904 student Regelbedarf for one year
- Make it in Germany (official) — Opportunity Card / job search — backs the €1,091/month Opportunity Card secured-livelihood amount
Turn this into a dated plan
Read the student visa guide or the Opportunity Card guide for the full process. Then build a personalised plan that places the blocked account — and every task it unlocks — on your own timeline.