A blocked account is one of the conditions for obtaining a German student visa
To obtain a student visa for Germany, students may need a blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a German bank. It can also be opened in your home country. Tips on choosing a bank, obtaining a certificate at the embassy, and transferring funds to an account in Germany are provided in the instructions prepared by Deutsche Welle.
What is a blocked account?
A blocked account, like a financial guarantee, is a kind of assurance that you will have funds to live in Germany during your studies. Such an account differs in that only a fixed amount can be withdrawn each month. For example, for the first year of study at a German university, the account must have 8,640 euros, i.e., 720 euros per month.
When and where should you open a blocked account?
A certificate of account opening will be needed before leaving for Germany to submit visa documents. As soon as you receive an invitation from a German university, you can immediately contact a bank. This is not a quick procedure, so it is better to have several months in reserve.
Many banks open blocked accounts for international students: for example, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, Postbank, DKB. When choosing a bank, it is worth paying attention to the cost of services. Some offer students interest-free account maintenance and a free additional credit card. Also, find out if there are branches of the bank in the city where your university is located. Another important point is whether you can keep the account without a fee after graduation; not all banks offer this option.
How to certify documents for a blocked account?
After choosing a bank, you need to fill out an electronic form on its website and certify this document at the German consulate or embassy. To do this, make an appointment at the consular and legal department and print two application forms, but do not sign them yet. To obtain a certified certificate, do not forget both passports – internal and international, their copies, as well as all documents specified on the bank's website. The procedure itself will cost 25 euros. After that, the consulate will send the necessary papers to the German bank.
How to transfer money to a blocked account?
As soon as the bank in Germany receives the documents, you will receive a confirmation of account opening with the details. This operation usually takes the bank about a week, but delivery of the letter from Germany with confirmation may take more than a month. If you have questions, it is better to contact the bank through the contact form on the official website. Calling is useless: German banks do not consider requests regarding personal data over the phone.
After receiving confirmation, you can deposit money into the German account through any local bank – in national currency, euros, or dollars. Do not forget that the amount must be more than 8,640 euros, as you will also have to pay a transfer fee from a foreign bank. The amount can be deposited in installments. As soon as all the money is received, the German bank will send confirmation again (Sperrbestätigung). This is the document needed to obtain a student visa for Germany.
What to do if the amount increases?
The above 8,640 euros per year is not an abstract amount; it takes into account current prices in Germany: rent, food costs, and necessary student expenses (semester fees and tuition fees are not included here). Back in 2015, 8,040 euros was enough; today it is 600 euros more. If you have already transferred money to your blocked account and the required amount suddenly changes, you need to fill out the appendix to the bank application (Zusatzblatt) again and send it by mail to the branch. There is no need to re-certify documents at the embassy or consulate. Then you can transfer the missing amount and wait for confirmation again.
How to withdraw money in Germany?
You can only withdraw money from a German account in Germany. First, you need to go to your bank branch with your international passport and visa. After activating the account, you will receive a card and access to online banking. Now you can safely use the card. But remember that you cannot spend more than 720 euros per month.