- A blocked account proves you can pay for your stay in Germany without working.
- You pay in the full amount before your visa appointment and get a fixed sum each month after arrival.
- For the Opportunity Card, the 2026 requirement is €1,091 a month.
- The required amount changes every year, so always check your German mission before you pay in.
Almost every Indian student I speak to asks about the blocked account first, because it is the biggest single payment before the visa. It sounds complicated, but the idea is simple.
What a blocked account is
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a bank account in Germany that you fill before you travel. You can't take out the whole amount at once. After you arrive and register, the bank releases a fixed amount to you every month. This shows the German mission that you can pay rent and living costs without depending on a job.
Who needs one
- Students who can't show a scholarship or a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone in Germany.
- Opportunity Card applicants, who must show €1,091 a month in 2026 for the time they plan to search.
- Language course and some job seeker applicants, depending on the mission.
If you already have a signed job contract with a salary that covers your living costs, you don't need one for a work visa.
How to open one, step by step
- Check the current amount. The figure is set every year. Use the number your German mission publishes, not an old blog post.
- Choose a provider the mission accepts. Several banks and providers offer blocked accounts online. Check that your mission accepts the confirmation they issue.
- Open the account online with your passport. You usually get the account details within a few days.
- Transfer the full amount from India. Use your own account and keep the transfer receipts. Bank fees and exchange rates can make the amount arrive short, so add a small buffer.
- Download the confirmation. This document goes into your visa application, with your admission or Opportunity Card documents.
- Activate the payout after arrival. After your Anmeldung and a German current account, the monthly release starts.
Mistakes that delay visas
- Paying in last year's amount, so the confirmation is too low.
- Transfers from a third person's account without explanation of where the money comes from.
- Booking the visa appointment before the confirmation arrives.
- Expecting to withdraw the full amount for a flat deposit in the first week. Plan separate money for the deposit and the first month.
Common questions
Can I use the blocked account money for rent?
Yes. The monthly payout is meant for rent and living costs. Only the amount above the monthly release stays locked.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Providers refund the money to your original account, usually after you send the refusal letter. Read the refund terms and fees before you open the account.
Do I still need a blocked account if I get a part time job?
For the visa, yes. A future part time job does not count as proof of funds.
OC to @swapnil_in_germany on Instagram.
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.