Quick facts
| Amount for students (2026) | €11,904 per year (works out to €992 per month) |
| Amount for Opportunity Card job seekers (2026) | At least €1,091 per month |
| Other accepted proof | A scholarship, or a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany |
| Student work rights | Up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week |
| Official source | Make it in Germany |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
What is a blocked account?
A blocked account (in German, Sperrkonto) is a German bank account where you deposit a year of living costs before you get your visa. You can’t withdraw it all at once. After you arrive, the bank releases a fixed monthly amount to you. It proves to the embassy that you can support yourself while you study.
Do I need one?
You need to prove you can pay your living costs. A blocked account is the most common way, but you don’t need one if:
- You have a scholarship that covers your living costs (for example DAAD), or
- Someone living in Germany signs a formal declaration of commitment to support you.
How to open one, step by step
- Get your admission letter from a German university first.
- Choose a provider that your German embassy accepts. Your embassy’s website lists accepted providers. Compare fees: most charge a set-up fee and a monthly fee.
- Apply online with your passport and admission letter.
- Transfer the full amount (€11,904 for 2026, plus any provider fees) by international bank transfer. Allow 1–2 weeks.
- Download your blocking confirmation and include it in your visa application.
Common mistakes
- Using last year’s amount. The required sum usually rises every year. Always check the current figure before you transfer.
- Forgetting bank fees. Your bank may deduct transfer charges, leaving less than the required amount.
- Paying an “agent” to open it for you. You can open a blocked account yourself online. Never send the money to a private person.
Related: Germany Opportunity Card · DAAD EPOS scholarships
Source: Make it in Germany (German government), checked 9 October 2026. EuroPath Jobs is not a bank or visa agent.
