Posted by : Tubai Paul
Author Designation : Marketing & PR (Kolkata)
Germany Blocked Account for Visa Applicants, Requirements, Process, and Providers
Dreaming of studying or seeking for a job in Germany and for that you need a blocked bank account, It’s a common surprise for those applying for a German study/job-seeking visa and residence permit.
This requirement, meant as a financial safety net, comes with specific rules and processes. Let’s explore what a German blocked account is, its challenges, and how to handle this financial puzzle for a seamless start to your German journey. When you apply for a German student visa, language visa, Aupair or job-seeker visa, you must submit a document to the German Embassy/Consulate, which serves as your financial proof usually; this must be a Blocked Bank Account.
German Blocked Account
A Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is a special bank account required by German authorities for student visa and job-seeker visa applicants. Before moving to Germany, you must deposit €11,208 in a German-registered bank account. This has been the standard blocked amount since the latest increase in winter semester of 2022/2023. There are several factors that influence the increase of the BAföG rate and subsequently the blocked account amount. These include a higher cost of living, inflation, and the economic state of the country.
The blocked account shows German authorities that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for a set period (usually 1 year). With a blocked account, you are proving that you are able to finance your basic needs like accommodation, food, and health insurance.
This helps alleviate concerns that you might face financial challenges during your studies. Therefore, having a sufficiently-funded blocked account increases your chances of a successful visa application.
Which Countries’ Citizens Are Exempt from Needing a Blocked Account?
Citizens from the European Union and Schengen states listed below can study or train in Germany without the necessity of having a blocked bank account: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
You need a blocked account for Germany if you are from a country other than a European Union or Schengen Member State and you are applying for one of the following German visas:
- Student visa
- Job-seeker visa
- Training or apprenticeship visa
- Aupair visa
- Visa for the recognition of foreign qualifications
- Visa for language acquisition
Where Can I Open a German Blocked Account?
You can open a blocked account with one of the providers listed below:
- Expatrio
- Fintiba
- Studely
- Coracle
- Drop Money
- ICICI Bank
Although you can open a bank account directly with a bank, not all the branches of a German bank will offer blocked accounts, which may complicate matters. Some German banks which offer blocked accounts include:
- Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB)
- Targobank
- Postbank
- Sparkasse
- HypoVereinsbank
- Volksbank
- Commerzbank
Kotak Mahindra is an Indian-based bank that a few Indian students often use to transfer funds for a blocked account. However, the German embassy/consulate may not accept it because it is not registered in Germany. In the best-case scenario, you get the student visa, but when you travel to Germany, you still have to transfer the money from Kotak Mahindra to a German bank before getting the residence permit. To avoid the extra steps and prolonged wait times, it is best if you open an account directly with an approved provider or with a German bank.
How to Open a Blocked Bank Account?
You must open a blocked account before applying for your German visa or residence permit, so in most cases, you have to be in your home country. The process of opening a blocked account changes depending on which provider you choose, but generally, you have to:
- Check with the German Embassy or Consulate how much money you need to transfer. Although the minimum required amount is usually the same for everyone, don’t transfer any money before checking with the Embassy beforehand.
- Open a blocked account with the provider of your choice. Remember that you can open an account online if you work with an intermediary, such as Expatrio. If you work directly with a bank, you must submit a paper application, likely by mail via the German Embassy if you are not in Germany.
- Wait for the application to process.
- Transfer the money. Your provider will send you the IBAN and give you the necessary instructions on how you can make the transfer. You can transfer through a bank or an international money transfer service/app. This will take approximately 3-5 days.
- Get the confirmation letter from the bank. Once your transfer is complete, your provider will send you the Confirmation Document for a Blocked Bank Account. This is the document that you need to submit to the German Embassy.
- Wait to receive the visa. You must wait for the visa to process once you submit the confirmation and the rest of the documents. You will receive a National D Visa, which lets you gain entry to Germany.
What Supporting Documents Do I Need?
For a German-blocked bank account, you have to submit the following documents:
- Your passport.
- Proof of the origin of the money. Some providers may ask you to submit bank statements showing how you got access to the funds.
- The application form. Depending on your provider, you must complete an application with your personal information, either online or on paper.
- Proof of admission to the German university (if applicable).
- Your ID card.
Note: The exact documents may differ between providers. Some may only ask for your passport and nothing else, whereas others will have a more extensive list of requirements.
How Do I Activate My Blocked Bank Account?
To activate your blocked bank account, you must open a current account in Germany, which means you must register your address and get the Registration Certificate beforehand. You can only access your money after you open a current account. The documents you need to submit to activate your account are:
- Proof of having registered your residence in Germany, such as a lease agreement or the certificate of registration from the city hall (Anmeldung).
- Proof of your current account.
- Your passport with the entry stamp.
- Your German residence permit (some banks may ask for it).
If you worked directly with a bank, you may have to personally go to the bank with your residence permit, address registration, and activate it. You can activate your account online if you work with a third-party company like Expatrio, Fintiba, etc.
Can I Get My Money Back if My Visa Application Is Rejected?
Yes, you will get back the money if your German visa is rejected. You will have to send the Visa Rejection document you received from the German Embassy/Consulate along with your personal bank account details to your provider, and they will close your account and return the money within a few weeks. Some providers will also return the money you paid to open the account.
Conclusion
With that said, emergencies can occur, and if you need extra money at short notice, the blocked account may not be useful, since you cannot withdraw more than what is deposited in your current account each month. Because of this, you should keep an emergency fund in your current account, which you can withdraw from anytime – especially because you will be in a foreign country.
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