Willkommen auf den Seiten des Auswärtigen Amts
Opening a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto)
You can prove in the visa application procedure that you have sufficient financial means, for example in order to demonstrate that you are able to meet your living costs, with a blocked bank account.
You can choose yourself in which bank you open your blocked account. It is important that the following conditions are met:
- The blocked account must have sufficient credit in order to cover the costs arising for the duration of your planned stay in Germany, unless other proof of financial support is presented in the visa procedure. Certain standard rates apply (for students, the presumed annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account from is 11.208 Euros (for the year 2023).
- For language classes (for example with the aim of applying for the license to work as a medical doctor in Germany) the annual requirement for the year 2023 is 12.324 Euros.
- The account may only permit the withdrawal of a certain amount per month (currently 1.027 Euros for language school visits independent of university studies and for students 934 Euros - amounts valid for the year 2023).
- The blocked account may only be closed with the consent of the blocked account beneficiary. The blocked account beneficiary is either the mission abroad or the competent foreigners authority. A blocking notice therefore only ensures that sufficient funds to cover living expenses are always available. It does not entitle the blocked account beneficiary to withdraw money from the blocked account.
Many countries have providers that offer blocked accounts. Information is available from the respective competent German mission abroad. Furthermore, certain banks in Germany offer special blocked accounts for students/language students for educational institutions located at their Headquarters.
You can find more information on the website of the German Foreign Office.