Blocked Account in Germany (Sperrkonto): How to Open, Fund, and Get Your Visa

If you’re planning to study or search for a job in Germany, you may need a blocked account in Germany (Sperrkonto). This account is used as proof of financial stability when applying for a visa. German consulates verify that the applicant has sufficient funds to live in the country.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• what a Sperrkonto is
• how much money you need in a blocked account in 2026
• where to open a blocked account for a German visa application
• how to fund your blocked account from abroad

A Sperrkonto (blocked account) in Germany is a special bank account where a fixed amount of money is held for living expenses. Funds on this account cannot be withdrawn all at once — they become available in monthly installments.

The main purpose of a blocked account for a German visa is to prove the applicant’s financial stability.

This account is most commonly required for:

• student visa
• job-seeking visa (Chancenkarte)
• language course visa

As of 2026, the minimum amount is 13,092 € per year (or 1,091 € per month).

After opening the account, the funds become available gradually — only the fixed monthly amount can be withdrawn each month.

This is the key difference between a Sperrkonto and a regular bank account.

Today, Sperrkonto can be opened online through accredited providers. The most popular options:

• Fintiba (open account)
• Expatrio (open account)

Both providers offer:

• fully online account opening
• accreditation by German embassies
• fast confirmation document for your visa
• convenient personal account
• option to add insurance
• support in English and German
• blocked accounts recognized by German embassies and consulates

*Expatrio is currently not opening accounts for Russian citizens.

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The process of opening a Sperrkonto takes from a few hours to a few days:

1. Register on the provider’s website
2. Fill out the form (personal details and purpose of travel)
3. Complete online identity verification
4. Receive payment details for the transfer
5. Transfer the required amount
6. Receive the confirmation document required for your visa application

For those sending funds from abroad:

• transfer from a foreign bank account to the Sperrkonto IBAN
• use international transfer services (Wise, Revolut, etc.)
• Processing usually takes 3–7 business days

After the funds are received, the provider will issue a confirmation document — this is the key document for your visa application.

Both Fintiba and Expatrio allow you to purchase health insurance for Germany at the same time as opening a blocked account. This is convenient, as insurance is a required document for many German visa applications:

• Sperrkonto confirmation
• health insurance

After arriving in Germany, you’ll need to get comprehensive insurance:

• public (GKV)
• or private (PKV)

After arriving in Germany, you start receiving monthly payouts from the account.

To do this, you need to:

• open a regular German bank account
• link it to your Sperrkonto

After that, funds will be transferred to your German account every month.

If the account is no longer needed, it can be closed. The typical process:

1. submit a request through your personal account
2. provide bank details for the refund
3. wait for account closure confirmation

If your visa was denied, funds can also be returned. The provider will only charge a service fee.

At Transparent Hiring we help specialists relocate to Germany for work. Our team supports candidates at every stage:

• visa requirements consultation
• document preparation
• job search with relocation
• support until you receive a job offer