For certain German national visas and residence titles, you must prove that your living expenses are secured. A blocked account can be one way to provide that proof. The minimum amount depends on the purpose of stay.
A blocked account is a special German bank account into which one full year of living expenses is deposited before entering Germany. After arrival, only a fixed amount may be withdrawn each month — hence 'blocked'.
As of January 2026, the official federal overview distinguishes by purpose of stay: studying under Section 16b AufenthG: at least €992 net per month (€11,904 per year). Seeking a place in university under Section 17(2): at least €1,091 net per month. Language acquisition under Section 16f(1): at least €1,091 net per month; this category concerns German courses that do not serve as preparation for academic studies. A blocked account is only one possible form of proof. The specific purpose of stay and the competent German mission or Consular Services Portal are decisive.
Official federal overview of minimum amounts (2026-01)A blocked account raises practical questions about required amounts, opening, fees, international students, Studienkolleg and alternative proof of funds. The following sections explain these points using the official-source framework already used on this site.
For university studies under Section 16b of the Residence Act, a blocked account can be one form of proof that living costs are secured. The official federal overview lists the 2026 minimum shown on this page. The competent authority decides which proof is accepted in the individual visa procedure.
Study preparation, seeking a university place and a language course that is not study-preparatory are not the same legal category. The student amount should therefore not be applied automatically to every Studienkolleg or language-course case. The specific visa or residence category is decisive.
In addition to the blocked living-expense amount, providers may charge an opening fee, ongoing account fees, international-transfer costs or currency-conversion costs. These provider fees are not a single official amount and should be checked directly with the chosen provider.
The defining feature of a blocked account is limited monthly access after activation rather than unrestricted access to the full deposited sum. The actual monthly payout follows the account setup and the financing requirement for the relevant purpose of stay.
A blocked account is not always the only possible proof of funds. Depending on the purpose of stay, official guidance may also refer to other evidence such as a declaration of commitment or a scholarship. The competent authority decides what is accepted in the individual application.
The Federal Foreign Office does not recommend individual blocked-account providers. Blocked accounts are offered by different banks and service providers on different terms; you choose the provider yourself. Whether the proof is sufficient in your specific procedure is decided by the competent authority.
Responsible for: Basti Blocked Account
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