Section 1: Understanding the German Blocked Account 2026

Requirements and Functionality

Planning to study in Germany? A blocked account, or Sperrkonto, is one of the most important financial documents you may need for your German student visa. But choosing a provider can be confusing: how much do you actually need to deposit, what fees are charged, and which provider offers the best value?
This guide explains the German blocked-account requirement using only official German government information and the providers' own current websites and terms, updated for 2026:

The standard financial requirement for a German student visa is €11,904 for 12 months, equivalent to €992 per month. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a special account used to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself while living in Germany. The important point is that the money is not simply available to spend all at once. A specified amount is released to you each month.

The Federal Foreign Office explains that this mechanism is intended to ensure that money intended to support you over a longer period is not spent immediately. The exact amount can vary depending on your visa/residence situation, so the German embassy or consulate responsible for your application is the final authority.

Is a blocked account mandatory for a German student visa? Not necessarily. This is an important distinction that is often overlooked. The German Foreign Office states that financing can also be demonstrated through alternatives such as a scholarship, a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), certain parental financial evidence, or an annually renewable bank guarantee.

A blocked account is therefore one of the accepted ways of proving financial means, rather than the only possible method in every case. For many international students, however, the blocked account is the most straightforward option because it provides a clear, standardized proof of funds. How much money do you need in 2026? For a standard student visa, the official requirement is €11,904 = €992 × 12 months.

But there is an important detail:
You normally need more than €11,904 available for the initial transfer. The €11,904 is the amount that must be blocked, not necessarily the total amount you will send to the provider. You may also have to pay the provider's setup/service fee, a monthly administration fee, and a temporary buffer for possible bank or transfer charges.

How does a blocked account work?
The process is relatively simple:

1. Open the account online with a blocked-account provider.
2. Transfer the required blocked amount, plus the applicable provider fees and, where required, a buffer.
3. Receive your confirmation document to use as financial proof for the visa application.
4. Apply for your visa.
5. Activate the account after arriving in Germany to start receiving your monthly amount transferred to your regular account.

Visa Type / Duration	Total Required Amount	Monthly Payout Maximum
Standard Student Visa/Opportunity Card (12 months)	€11,904	€992
Standard Student Visa (6 months)	€5,952	€992

Section 2: Comparing the Best Providers for 2026

Expatrio, Fintiba, Studely, and Coracle

Which blocked-account provider should you choose?
There is no single provider that is officially recommended by the German government. In fact, the Federal Foreign Office explicitly says that it does not recommend blocked-account providers and does not accept liability for a provider's payment failure. It advises applicants to research providers carefully and choose for themselves.

That means the real question is which provider gives you the best combination of price, convenience, banking setup and support.

Expatrio offers a digital blocked-account service and also provides an optional broader package combining the blocked account, health insurance and a German bank account. From 7 July 2026, Expatrio states a setup fee of €119, a monthly service fee of €9, and a buffer of €100. For a 12-month account, the provider fees alone are approximately €227. One of Expatrio's main advantages is that it combines the blocked account with a German bank account, and the monthly payouts can be transferred automatically into that account.

Fintiba is another established provider focused heavily on international students. Fintiba currently lists an initial setup fee of €159, a monthly administration fee of €9.90, and a buffer of €100. For 12 months, the provider fees add up to €277.80. Fintiba places a strong emphasis on a digital process and its app, and states that eligible deposits are protected up to €100,000.

Studely takes a somewhat different approach. Its Germany page currently lists a €152 package with no monthly fees, which includes a blocked account, a payment account/IBAN and other account services. Studely emphasizes a mobile app, multilingual customer support, and funding transfers from certain African countries.

What about Coracle? Coracle has historically been another popular name in the German blocked-account market. However, at the time of this research, Coracle's website says the blocked account's opening fee is "Coming Soon", while its Help Center contains a specific section for a new blocked-account application pause. Because of this, we couldn't research Coracle as a straightforward option for a new applicant right now without first confirming that new applications are actually being accepted.

So, which one is the cheapest? Based purely on the currently published provider fees for a 12-month student blocked account: Studely is €152, Expatrio is €227, and Fintiba is €277.80. But cheapest does not automatically mean best.

Feature	Expatrio	Fintiba	Studely	Coracle
Setup / Service Fee	€119	€159	€152 package	"Coming Soon" (Paused)
Monthly Fee	€9	€9.90	No monthly fee	N/A
12-Month Provider Fees	€227	€277.80	€152	N/A
Buffer	€100	€100	Depends on payment	N/A

Section 3: Critical Considerations and Final Verdict

Visa Rejections, Refunds, and Timing

What happens if your German visa is rejected?

This is one of the most important things to understand before transferring more than €11,904. The money in the blocked account does not simply become available because you decide to cancel the application. The Federal Foreign Office explains that the blocking notice generally has to be released by the competent authority, usually through the official refusal decision. Fintiba says that for a rejected visa application it requires the official documentation from the German visa authority before closing the blocked account and refunding the blocked amount.

Studely provides a specific refund procedure after visa refusal and gives applicants the option of retaining the funds for a future application, noting refund processing can take up to one month. Expatrio also has a formal process for closing the blocked account and handling the funds after visa refusal.

The key lesson:

Before paying, read the provider's current refund and closure terms. Do you get the €11,904 back?

Yes, the €11,904 is your money, though provider fees are a separate matter and may not always be refundable. One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming they only need to send exactly €11,904; you must account for provider fees and buffers. When should you open your blocked account? Do not leave it until the last few days before your visa appointment.

Fintiba recommends opening the account approximately 3–4 weeks before the visa appointment. A simple checklist before you transfer your money:

1. Is €11,904 definitely the amount required for your visa?
2. How much are the provider's fees?
3. Is there a buffer?
4. How will you receive your monthly €992?
5. What happens if your visa is refused?

Final verdict:

Choose Studely if price simplicity is your priority, choose Expatrio if you want an all-in-one Germany setup, and choose Fintiba if you prioritize a student-focused digital platform. Verify Coracle's current availability before considering it. Always check the provider's current terms and your responsible German embassy/consulate immediately before making the transfer.

Provider	Visa Refusal / Refund Process Policy
Expatrio	Formal process for closing account and handling funds.
Fintiba	Requires official documentation from the German visa authority before refunding.
Studely	Specific refund procedure (takes up to one month) or option to retain funds for future application.
Coracle	Not available currently (Application paused).

You may want to learn more about the German bank accounts in 2026 here