The short answer
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a bank account where you deposit a set amount before you travel to Germany. After you arrive, you can withdraw only a fixed monthly amount. It is one common way to prove to the German mission that you can finance your studies. The amount you must deposit and the options the mission accepts are set by official sources and change from time to time, so check them first.
How it works
- You choose a provider that the German mission accepts.
- You open the account online and verify your identity.
- You transfer the required amount from your bank in India.
- You receive a confirmation from the provider, which you include in your visa application.
- After you arrive, you activate the account in Germany and receive the monthly amount in your German bank account.
Other ways to prove financing
Depending on your situation and on what the German mission accepts, other options may include a scholarship, a formal declaration from a sponsor, or other evidence the official pages list. Check the official guidance and the mission's checklist to see what applies to you.
What to check before you open one
- Is the provider accepted by the German mission and, where relevant, your university?
- What is the required amount right now, according to the official source?
- What are the fees, both for opening the account and for monthly maintenance?
- What is the exchange rate, and how does the provider convert your rupees?
- What happens if your visa is refused? Read the provider's terms for how the money is returned.
- How quickly can the confirmation reach you, relative to your visa appointment?
Checklist
- To do: Read the official guidance on proof of financing
- To do: Compare accepted providers, fees and exchange rates
- To do: Keep records of your identity verification and transfer
- To do: Save the blocked account confirmation in your document vault
- To do: Note the date the account activates and the monthly payout
- To do: Open a regular German bank account soon after you arrive
Common mistakes
- Starting too late. Identity checks and transfers take time.
- Transferring the wrong amount. The required amount is set by official sources.
- Using an unofficial or unfamiliar provider without checking acceptance.
- Ignoring the fees and the exchange rate.
- Believing someone who offers a "guaranteed visa" with a blocked account. No account guarantees a visa.
Verify before you act
Amounts, accepted providers and rules change from time to time. Check the Federal Foreign Office visa service, the German mission's page and your university before you transfer money.