For a German student visa, the blocked account amount is €992 per month, or €11,904 for a full year. The German Federal Foreign Office sets this figure to match the maximum BAföG student aid rate, and it has applied since the winter semester 2024/2025.1University of Konstanz. Proof of Funding for the Residence Permit Other visa categories have their own thresholds, and you will need to send more than the minimum to cover fees and transfer losses.
Why €992 Per Month
The blocked account minimum tracks the maximum BAföG rate, Germany’s federal student financial aid. The reasoning is simple: if the government considers €992 enough for a domestic student to live on each month, that same figure becomes the floor for what an international student must prove they can cover without relying on German social welfare. The legal basis is Section 2(3) of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), which defines a “secured livelihood” for residence permit purposes.2Federal Ministry of Justice. Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is one way to satisfy that requirement. Alternatives include a formal sponsor’s commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) or proof of parental income, but the blocked account is the common choice because consulates accept it without follow-up questions.3Federal Foreign Office. FAQ – When Applying for a Student Visa, How Can I Prove That My Financing Is Secure?
Amounts by Visa Type
The €11,904 figure is specific to student visas. Other categories work differently.
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Job seekers on Germany’s points-based Chancenkarte must prove at least €1,091 per month, or €13,092 for a 12-month stay. Applicants aged 45 or older without a Blue Card–qualifying job offer face additional requirements, including proof of annual income of at least €49,830 or adequate retirement savings.4Make it in Germany. Job Search Opportunity Card
- Language course visas. Applicants attending intensive German language courses generally meet the same €992 monthly threshold as students. Consulates can set higher amounts depending on the length of the course and the cost of living in the destination city.
- Other residence permits. The Residence Act requires a “secured livelihood” for most residence permit categories. The exact figure depends on your visa type, family size, and whether you already have a job offer with a stated salary.
What You Actually Need to Transfer
The €11,904 (or €13,092 for the Opportunity Card) is the minimum that must be present in the account when your confirmation is issued. The amount leaving your home bank has to be larger.
Providers typically charge a setup fee of around €89 and a monthly maintenance fee of about €5. On top of that, international wire transfers pass through intermediary banks that deduct their own charges, so a buffer of roughly €50 to €150 is standard practice. If your deposit lands even slightly under the minimum, the provider cannot issue the blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung), and you will have to send a second transfer to top it up. Most providers recommend sending the total in a single transfer, since each international transfer can pick up its own intermediary fees.
Currency movement is a separate risk. If you are transferring from a currency that fluctuates against the euro, add a further cushion beyond the standard buffer. A transfer that was sufficient when initiated can arrive short if the exchange rate moves against you during processing.
Health insurance sits outside the blocked amount entirely. German universities require proof of health insurance before you can enroll, and the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) requires it for your residence permit. Public student health insurance runs roughly €110 to €120 per month, billed separately from the blocked funds.
The 2026/2027 Increase Under Discussion
The coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD includes a planned BAföG increase for winter semester 2026/2027 that would raise the housing component from €380 to €440 per month. If enacted, the new maximum BAföG rate (including health insurance contributions) could exceed €1,050, and the blocked account minimum would likely rise to match. Nothing is finalized, so €992 per month remains the figure through 2026. If you plan to start studies in late 2026 or 2027, check the Federal Foreign Office site closer to your application date.
How the Money Comes Back Out
You cannot access the funds until you are in Germany and have completed your local address registration (Anmeldung). Once you upload the registration certificate or residence permit to the provider’s portal, the account activates for monthly disbursements. Exactly €992 then transfers each month to a linked German current account (Girokonto).1University of Konstanz. Proof of Funding for the Residence Permit
The blocked account itself is not a normal bank account: no direct debits, no card payments, no ATM withdrawals. You use the linked Girokonto for daily spending. If your actual costs run above €992 per month, student visa holders can work up to 140 full working days per year to close the gap.2Federal Ministry of Justice. Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory
Getting Remaining Funds Back If Plans Change
If you leave Germany before the account is fully disbursed, you cannot simply withdraw the balance. The blocking notice has to be formally lifted, and that requires approval from either the German diplomatic mission abroad or the local foreigners authority, depending on your situation.5Federal Foreign Office. Opening and Closing a Blocked Bank Account (Sperrkonto) A visa rejection notice is enough on its own; if you never applied, never traveled, or left Germany before receiving a residence permit, you go through the mission where you applied; if you are already in Germany, you go through the local foreigners authority. The process can take several weeks, so plan ahead if you need the money before you leave.