What Is a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) and How to Open One?

A blocked account or Sperrkonto is a special bank account that proves you have the financial means to live in Germany. This account is a key requirement for a student visa.

Required Amount

The amount is determined based on the official BAföG rate and changes every year. For 2026, it is approximately €992 per month, which equals €11,904 for one year. Always confirm the exact figure from the German Embassy website.

How Does It Work?

1. Open the account online before applying for your visa
2. Transfer the entire amount
3. Present the blocked confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) to the embassy
4. After arriving in Germany, withdraw up to the designated monthly limit

Critical Tip for Afghan Students: Transferring Funds

Due to international sanctions, Afghan banks are disconnected from the global SWIFT network, making direct transfers from Afghanistan impossible. To fund your blocked account, you can:

• Use reliable, authorized exchange offices (Sarafis) who have banking access in neighboring countries (such as Pakistan, Iran, UAE, or Turkey) to process the transfer for you.
• Have a family member or sponsor residing abroad transfer the funds directly to your IBAN. In this case, ensure you check with your provider (like Expatrio or Fintiba) beforehand, as you will need to upload proof of relationship and sponsor identity to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) checks.

Well-Known Providers

All major online providers are officially approved by the German Federal Foreign Office:

• Expatrio — popular among students; offers a combined insurance + account package
• Fintiba — fast and fully online, widely used worldwide
• Coracle — popular for its low processing fees and fast setup

Conditions, opening fees, and processing speeds differ for each, so compare them before choosing.

Common Mistakes

Note: These mistakes can delay your visa.

• Transferring money from a third-party account without explanation—it is best to send it from your own account or close family members with transfer proof
• Opening the account at the last minute—the verification process can sometimes take a few weeks