Germany blocked account (Sperrkonto) for Indian students: amount and rules
I have to open a German blocked account for my student visa. How much goes in, how much can I take out each month, are there other ways to show the money, and how do I get it back if I don't go?
For a German student visa filed in India, the German Embassy in New Delhi asks for a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 for the first year, with a blocking confirmation that no more than €992 can be withdrawn a month. That is 12 times €992. You pick the provider; the Federal Foreign Office keeps no list and recommends none. A blocked account is one of four ways the Embassy accepts. The others are a formal obligation letter from a sponsor living in Germany, a German or EU scholarship, or proof of the funding you have arranged for your studies.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 30 November 2026. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
As of 31 October 2026: the German Embassy in New Delhi lists €11,904 for the first year and €992 a month. Germany ties the amount to the top rate of support for German students, and it has been raised before, so check the Embassy page again on the day you open the account.
At a glance
- Amount for the first year
- €11,904 (German Embassy New Delhi, student visa page)[1]
- Monthly withdrawal limit
- No more than €992 a month[1]
- Who holds the account
- A bank or similar provider of your choice; you can usually open it online[2]
- Account beneficiary
- The German mission where you apply, then the foreigners authority after you arrive; neither can withdraw your money[2]
- Usual length
- One year, unless your planned stay is shorter[2]
What the blocked account holds and releases
A blocked account from opening to closing
| Way | What you upload |
|---|---|
| Blocked account (Sperrkonto) | The blocking confirmation: €11,904 for the first year, no more than €992 a month withdrawable |
| Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) | The original letter a sponsor living in Germany signs at their local immigration office, promising to cover all your costs |
| Scholarship | Proof of a German or EU scholarship or stipend |
| Funding arranged for your studies | Proof of it, uploaded alongside the other papers |
The Embassy accepts any one of these as proof of secure livelihood for a student visa. Private university fees or a language course fee need separate proof that you paid the first year or a substantial deposit.[1]
| Your situation | What lifts the block |
|---|---|
| You never applied for the visa and did not travel | A consular certificate from the German mission |
| You applied, then withdrew the application | A consular certificate from the German mission |
| Your visa was refused | The refusal notice itself |
| You got the visa but did not use it | A consular certificate from the German mission |
| You left the Schengen area before getting a residence permit | A consular certificate from the German mission |
Federal Foreign Office. Contact the German mission where you live (first row) or the one where you applied (other rows). If you are already in Germany, the foreigners authority lifts the block.[2]
The account must hold enough to cover daily life in Germany, and only a set amount can leave it each month. The Federal Foreign Office says the cap is there so money meant to last a year is not spent in the first weeks. The amount follows the maximum support rate for German students, which is why it changes from time to time.
When you open the account you name a beneficiary: the German mission where you apply for the visa, and later the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in your German city. The beneficiary cannot touch your money. Its role is to agree before the block is lifted.[2]
A sponsor who lives in Germany can sign a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) at their local immigration office, promising to cover all your costs. You upload the original letter instead of a blocked-account confirmation. A German or EU scholarship also counts; send proof of it.[1]
The blocked account is one item in the Consular Services Portal upload list, next to your passport, marksheets, language certificate, APS certificate, admission letter, motivation letter, CV and proof of health cover. The Embassy adds that a complete file does not by itself mean a visa will be issued. The Germany page has the full list, and the APS page covers the certificate.[1]
Tips and tricks
- Copy the amount from the Embassy page on the day you open the account. Germany changes the figure from time to time, and the visa file has to match the current one.[1]
- Ask the provider for its full charges before you sign. The Federal Foreign Office warns that fees are on top of the blocked amount and that conditions vary.[2]
- Keep the visa refusal or withdrawal paperwork safe. It is what gets the block lifted if your plans change.[2]
- If you study at a private university, have separate proof that you paid the first year's fees or a substantial deposit; the blocked account covers living costs only.[1]
Questions people ask
How much money do I need in a German blocked account?
The German Embassy in New Delhi lists €11,904 for the first year of studies, as of 9 October 2026.[1]
How much can I withdraw each month?
No more than €992 a month. The blocking confirmation you upload has to state this limit.[1]
Which bank should I use for the blocked account?
You choose. The Federal Foreign Office says you can open one at a bank or similar provider, usually online. It recommends no provider and deleted its old list.[2]
Do I need a blocked account if my uncle in Germany will pay?
Not necessarily. A sponsor living in Germany can sign a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) at their local immigration office, and you upload the original instead.[1]
How do I get my money back if my visa is refused?
The refusal notice is enough to lift the block. In other cases, such as not using the visa, the German mission issues a consular certificate for the bank.[2]
Connected pages
- Related · Study abroadStudy in Germany from India: APS, blocked account and deadlinesGermany student visa from India: blocked account €11,904 a year, APS certificate, €75 visa fee, English proof rules and semester deadlines, sourced.
- Related · Study abroadAPS certificate for Germany: fee, documents, dMAT and exemptionsAPS certificate for Germany from India: INR 18,000 fee, at least two weeks, the document list, the new dMAT for some Master's applicants, exemptions.
- Uses data from · Study abroadStudent visa funds by country: official figures with a rupee converterThe money each government asks students to show, from UK to France, with source and date, and a converter to rupees at RBI's published rate.
Official and partner links
- Official bodyStudent visa page, German Embassy New Delhi
Sources
- Studies, including preparatory college and language courses: necessary documents, German Embassy New Delhi (india.diplo.de). Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Opening and closing a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto), Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de). Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Visa FAQ: how can I prove that my financing is secure?, Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de). Accessed 31 October 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 31 October 2026.