Studying in Germany is the dream of many young Vietnamese people, but to make this a reality, one of the most important procedures is opening a blocked account. This is not only a mandatory condition for applying for a German student visa, but also helps prove financial capacity throughout the study process.
I. What is a Blocked Account?
A Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is a special type of bank account for international students. This is a mandatory requirement for a German student visa because it proves that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your living expenses while studying in Germany.
When opening a blocked account in Germany, you must deposit a certain amount of money according to the regulations of the German Government. Each month, you can only withdraw a certain amount, usually around 934 EUR/month (according to 2024). This helps ensure that students spend reasonably and can maintain a stable life during their studies.
In other words, the German blocked account is “financial proof” to prove to the Embassy that you are able to support yourself while studying abroad.
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II. Why are German international students required to have a blocked account?
The main reason why international students in Germany are required to have a blocked account is to prove their financial capacity when applying for a German student visa. The German government requires this to ensure that international students do not become a financial burden during their stay.
In addition, having a blocked account in Germany helps you manage your monthly expenses more scientifically, because the money is disbursed monthly instead of being withdrawn all at once. This is one of the big differences between opening a regular German bank account and a blocked account to study in Germany.
Without a blocked account, your visa application will almost certainly be rejected. Therefore, preparing and opening this account is an extremely important step in the journey to study in Germany.
III. Amount of money needed in blocked account to study in Germany 2025
According to the latest regulations, from 2025, the minimum amount required in a blocked account for studying in Germany is 11,208 EUR/year (equivalent to 934 EUR/month). This is the average living cost estimated by the German Government to ensure that international students can cover expenses such as accommodation, travel, insurance, books and personal expenses.
Depositing this amount in the blocked account Germany 2025 is a prerequisite for applying for a visa. If you are only a few hundred EUR short, the Embassy may request additional funds and extend the application processing time. Therefore, many students often deposit a little extra to cover the possibility of additional bank fees.
Some reputable banks and financial institutions that provide blocked account opening services in Germany today include: Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle, Deutsche Bank. You can choose based on service fees, account opening speed and customer support.
IV. Instructions on how to open a blocked account to study in Germany
Step 1: Choose a Blocked Account Provider
Students can open a German blocked account at a traditional bank or online service. Deutsche Bank is familiar but the procedures are cumbersome and time-consuming. Meanwhile, online units such as Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle are recognized by the German Embassy, allowing quick registration, online management and often include health insurance, effectively supporting German student visa applications.
Step 2: Register for an online blocked account
With Fintiba, Expatrio or Coracle, you just need to fill in your personal details, upload your passport and sometimes your letter of acceptance. Deutsche Bank requires you to submit a hard copy of your application and have your signature certified at the Consulate. After you register, you will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed.
Step 3: Identity Verification (Ident Process)
Online services usually use Video-Ident or PostIdent if you are already in Germany. With Deutsche Bank, you have to authenticate at a German diplomatic mission. If the information does not match the passport, the process can be delayed, directly affecting the application for a German student visa.
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Step 4: Transfer money to blocked account
Once verified, you will receive the transfer information. From 2025, students must pay a minimum of 11,208 EUR/year (equivalent to 934 EUR/month). When transferring from Vietnam, it is recommended to choose the OUR fee so that Germany can receive the full amount. Once the money has been deposited, you will receive the Sperrbestätigung (Blocking Confirmation), a mandatory document in the visa application package.
Step 5: Get visa and activate account in Germany
With a visa, to go to Germany you need to Anmeldung (register your address) and open a personal bank account (Girokonto). The service will then disburse 934 EUR/month into this account. Units such as Fintiba, Expatrio also have balance tracking applications, helping students manage their spending more easily.
Step 6: Refund or close when necessary
If your visa is refused, you can request a refund by submitting a refusal letter with your application. Processing time is 4-8 weeks, the initial service fee is usually non-refundable. At the end of your course or when you leave Germany, you can also close and withdraw the remaining balance in your German blocked account.
V. Common mistakes when opening a blocked account
- Choosing the wrong service provider
Many people open blocked accounts in Germany at Deutsche Bank but do not anticipate the complicated procedures, requiring documents to be authenticated at the Embassy. Meanwhile, online services such as Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle are widely recognized, open quickly and are easy to manage online. Choosing the wrong unit can delay your German student visa application.
- Missing money or wrong information
Students often forget to calculate the international transfer fee, resulting in the blocked account amount being lower than the required 11,208 EUR/year (2025). In addition, if the IBAN or SWIFT number is entered incorrectly, the money may be suspended or reversed, causing processing time to be lost. This can directly affect the Sperrbestätigung (Blocking Confirmation) application and the progress of the study abroad application.
- Slow identity verification
Some people are subjective and do not complete the Video-Ident step or the passport verification in time, causing the blocked account to not be activated. This can cause the visa application to be rejected due to lack of Sperrbestätigung (Blocking Confirmation) paper. Therefore, you should schedule a verification appointment immediately after completing the registration to avoid risks.
- Do not check email from the service
Providers like Fintiba or Expatrio often send instructions via email. If you miss them, you may miss the deadline for submitting documents or not know that your account is ready to transfer money, directly affecting your study abroad progress. To be safe, check your email regularly, including spam or promotional folders.
VI. Experience in opening a blocked account to study in Germany
- Prioritize reputable online services
The experience of many international students shows that opening a German blocked account through Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle is faster and easier to use than Deutsche Bank. You can manage it completely online and integrate health insurance, which is very convenient for your German student visa application. In addition, online services often have English-speaking support teams, suitable for international students.
- Transfer money early to avoid risks
International banks sometimes take 5-7 business days to process. Therefore, transfer money at least 2-3 weeks before the visa application appointment date. Don't forget to choose the OUR transfer fee so that Germany can receive the full amount according to Sperrkonto regulations. This is also a way to avoid the situation of "lack of money" leading to the opening of a blocked account being rejected.
- Prepare documents carefully
Before registering for a blocked account, you need to prepare a valid passport, an admission letter (if any), and accurate personal information. Small errors can delay identity verification. Scanning documents clearly and accurately also helps the verification process go more smoothly.
- Always keep the blocked account confirmation
After you have deposited enough money, you will receive a Blocking Confirmation (Sperrbestätigung). This is a mandatory document when applying for a visa, so you should keep a soft copy and a printed copy to submit to the German Embassy. In addition, you should also keep an electronic copy for easy provision when you need to renew your visa later.
- Refer to the experience of previous international students
Reading reviews or joining German study abroad groups will help you avoid common mistakes and choose the right blocked account provider. This is also the fastest way to update the latest changes from the German Embassy. Thanks to that, you will save a lot of time and minimize unnecessary errors.
Conclusion
Opening a German blocked account (Sperrkonto) is an important procedure that any international student needs to carry out to ensure a smooth study abroad journey. Just know the required amount, choose the right service provider and avoid common mistakes, you will easily have in hand Sperrbestätigung, an important confirmation for your visa application.
