What is a blocked account?

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is required by German authorities to prove that you can financially support yourself during your studies. A fixed amount is deposited upfront, and a monthly allowance (currently around €992) is released to you after arrival in Germany.

When access to your money matters

The key difference between blocked account providers is when and how you can access your funds after arriving in Germany.

Some providers:

• allow access without city registration (Anmeldung)
• others require proof of city registration before releasing funds

If you will stay in temporary housing at first, this can affect how quickly you can access your money.

Costs: What to Expect

Blocked account providers usually charge:

• a one-time setup fee
• sometimes a monthly service fee

The required blocked amount itself is the same regardless of provider. Differences mainly relate to fees, onboarding process, and flexibility.

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Find the right Blocked Account