If you are planning to study in Germany, one of the most important items on your checklist after securing admission to a university should be the German blocked account—a mandate for your student visa that serves as proof of finances, assuring the authorities that you will be able to fund your stay in Germany. Since it requires a significant amount of money, it’s often the last major hurdle on your path to studying abroad. But why worry when Team Coracle is here to help?
The amount of money needed may seem intimidating, but having a complete picture of why you need a German blocked account can help ease your mind and simplify the process.
What is a Blocked Account?
Let’s start with the basics. A German blocked account, or Sperrkonto, is a special bank account for students traveling to Germany for their studies. It serves as proof that they have sufficient financial resources to sustain themselves in the country for at least one year. This requirement is in place to ensure that international students can support themselves without relying on additional resources, contributing to a smoother transition into their academic life abroad.
The blocked account acts as a financial safety net, providing a steady stream of funds for your living expenses. Each month, you can withdraw a fixed amount, ensuring you have enough for essentials like rent, food, and transportation. If your studies extend beyond a year, you may need to demonstrate the same amount of money in a blocked account again. However, if you have another way to prove your financial capability—such as a DAAD scholarship or sponsorship from a German resident—a blocked account may not be necessary. Still, for the majority of students, it remains the most common method to fulfill this requirement.
Why is the Blocked Account Important?
The blocked account regulation is not just a formality; it’s a means to protect students from financial hardship and ease their integration into Germany. Knowing that you have a secure monthly income provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your studies rather than worrying about finances. Additionally, a blocked account can help with the residence permit process, making it easier to extend your stay in the country after your first year of study.
What are the Regulations for the Blocked Account in 2025?
The amount required in a German blocked account changes with the economy and is based on the BAföG (the German Federal Training Assistance Act). As living costs rise and the euro fluctuates, the German government adjusts the amount slightly to ensure you have enough money to support yourself in real-time economic conditions. Currently, international students applying for a D-type National Visa must show a minimum amount of €11,904 in their blocked account, equating to €992 per month. This amount must be visible in your bank statement or blocked account confirmation. Having additional funds in your blocked account can also simplify the residence permit process (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) and may even allow for a longer permit duration.
How to Open a German Blocked Account
Now that you know the basics, the next step is understanding how to open a blocked account. While the process is straightforward, selecting a reliable, fast, and easy-to-use provider requires careful research. Here’s a 5-step process to get your blocked account set up with Coracle in no time:
Step 1: Sign up for an account on Coracle’s website
Browse Coracle’s website, where we offer multiple packages for students starting Language Programs, Studienkolleg, Bachelor’s or Master’s programs, and even for individuals on a job seeker visa. Choose the package that best suits your needs. Coracle also offers PRIME packages that include health insurance and free travel health insurance, which are essential for students.
Overall Charges:
Most blocked account providers charge an initial fee plus a monthly fee. Unlike other providers, Coracle charges no monthly fees. Our regular blocked account costs only €99, and the PRIME package is just €59, making it the cheapest option in the market with a simple and transparent one-time fee. This upfront model provides peace of mind by avoiding any hidden or recurring costs.
Ease of Application:
Coracle’s application process is fast and fully online. You simply upload essential documents like your passport, acceptance letter, and a second ID document. The process takes only minutes, and you’ll receive your blocked account confirmation in less than 2 hours! This quick confirmation can be a lifesaver when you’re preparing for your visa interview and need all documentation in order.
Ease of Funds Transfer:
While the ease of transferring funds depends on your bank, Coracle has partnerships to simplify this process. For example, Coracle partners with RemitNow in India, enabling students to transfer funds to their blocked accounts within a couple of hours. This partnership makes the process faster and often more cost-effective than traditional bank transfers.
Customer Support:
Trust is essential when dealing with a substantial amount of money. Check out reviews on TrustPilot and Google to understand a provider’s reputation. Coracle’s support team, speaking over 10 languages, responds within 48 working hours and is just an email away. Having a multilingual support team can ease communication barriers and make the entire experience smoother, especially if you need assistance at any stage.
Activation Process on Arrival:
Upon arrival in Germany, you’ll want easy access to your money. At Coracle, all you need is your current bank account (Girokonto) details and your entry stamp to receive your first disbursement, making the entire process straightforward and efficient.
Step 2: Choose a suitable package
After researching Coracle’s website, select the package that best suits your needs. We offer a choice of insurance providers with the PRIME package. Having various insurance options allows you to customize your plan based on your health coverage requirements and budget. Once you’ve made your selection, the process is seamless!
Step 3: Fill in the Details
For online providers like Coracle, the sign-up process takes less than 2 minutes. Just fill in your personal, identification, and university details to activate your blocked account or PRIME package. After submitting, the team will verify your information and send a confirmation with your account details, including your IBAN and BIC, for easy transfer of funds.
Step 4: Transfer Your Funds
The next step is to transfer funds from your home country bank account to your German blocked account. The speed of this transfer depends on the sender bank and is out of the blocked account provider’s control. With a traditional bank, transfers can take a few hours to several working days. For faster transfers, consider services like RemitNow. Be sure to confirm transfer fees and processing times with your bank, so you can plan accordingly.
International transfers can be complex and may take time to process due to the multiple channels funds must pass through before they reach us. To avoid any delays in setting up your blocked account or accessing your funds, make sure to initiate the transfer well in advance of any deadlines or expected arrival dates. This proactive approach ensures that your funds are ready when needed and helps avoid any potential complications with your financial arrangements in Germany.
Step 5: Get Your Confirmation
After transferring your funds, complete the rest of your visa documents while your provider confirms receipt and sends you a confirmation. This document is essential for your visa application and must be printed out and brought to your visa appointment.
How to Activate Your Blocked Account
Opening the blocked account is only the beginning; you also need to activate it once in Germany to receive monthly disbursements. Here’s a simple guide on how to activate it:
- Register Your Local Address: Whether you are staying at a student dormitory or a shared apartment, you must register your address at the city office. You need to book an appointment and bring the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (housing provider confirmation) form from your landlord and your passport to get your Meldebestätigung (registration confirmation). This document is essential for opening a bank account and receiving a tax number.
- Open a Current Bank Account: The next step in the process is to open a current bank account at a German bank of your choice. If you plan to open an account with a physical bank, such as Sparkasse or Commerzbank, you will need to schedule an appointment, bring your ID documents, Meldebestätigung, and your university documents on the day of the appointment to open your current account.
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Link Your Current Account to Your Blocked Account: Once you have your German current account’s IBAN and BIC, you simply need to activate your payout by following the instructions for sharing your details. Coracle only requires you to share your entry stamp to determine when you should receive your payout and your current account opening statement to prove that the IBAN belongs to you.
From this point on, it should only take a few days for your first disbursement to show up in your account. You will continue to receive disbursements every month for one year until your blocked account funds are exhausted!
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For PRIME Users: If you have opted for Coracle’s PRIME package, ensure that you activate your health insurance only through Coracle’s portal. Activating it elsewhere will violate the PRIME package terms and may result in additional fees.
You will need to enter your address in the Coracle portal to receive important documents like your insurance card by post. If you don’t have a fixed address yet, you can provide a friend’s address or any reliable address where you can receive mail. Ensure that you enter the correct address for secure delivery of your insurance card.
Next, enter your bank details, including your IBAN, which will be used for auto-debit payments each month for your health insurance. Make sure your account is correctly set up to avoid payment issues.
Note: We understand that obtaining your city registration might take some time, and you may need access to funds as soon as you arrive in Germany. To address this, you can sign up with Wise or Revolut, as they do not require city registration to open an account. You can then activate your payout by entering the details of that account.
Alternatively, if you choose an online bank, the entire process of opening a current account can be completed online and without an appointment. The bank will verify your documents and open your bank account for you directly within the app. This is particularly convenient for students eager to access their funds right away without the need for lengthy in-person banking procedures.
Don’t Be Intimidated by the Blocked Account
The German blocked account regulation is in place to benefit you. It ensures you can enjoy studying in Germany without financial stress for at least one year. Don’t let the initial investment intimidate you; it’s kept safe for you to access when you arrive. Plus, knowing you have a secure monthly budget makes it easier to plan your finances and focus on your studies.
Additionally, after settling in, you can look for part-time work to support yourself in the coming year. Many international students in Germany find flexible, part-time jobs in areas like retail, hospitality, or tutoring, which can further ease your financial responsibilities. So while the blocked account may feel like a substantial commitment, it’s a helpful system designed to support you in achieving a successful academic journey in Germany.
So, if you want to get a blocked account that meets all your needs and has excellent customer service, visits us here!
