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Yes, you can study in Germany without a blocked account if you can prove sufficient financial means through alternative options, such as:

1. Parent’s Income Documents: Proof of your parent’s financial status to show they can support you.
2. Scholarship Certificate: A certificate from a recognized scholarship provider confirming you have secured funding.
3. Letter of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung): A formal document where a permanent resident of Germany (relative or friend) commits to covering your expenses.
4. Bank Guarantee: A guarantee from a bank ensuring that your financial needs will be met.

These alternatives can fulfill the financial requirements set by German authorities for student visas and enrollment.

It typically includes an initial setup fee ranging from around €59 to €150, and some providers may charge a monthly maintenance fee as well (this is usually at around €4.90/month).

Here’s a list of blocked account providers in Germany, along with their processing costs and maintenance fees:

Expatrio is the cheapest provider in Germany if we consider its setup fee of €69, which may be returned in full after activating both a blocked account and health insurance. You can get more information on this on their website.

From our experience helping students, the table above shows that blocked account providers are not only affordable but also make the visa process much easier, which we know can often be stressful.

The best time to open it is as soon as you receive your admission letter from a German university. In fact, we highly recommend this!

International students often face delays in confirming their accounts due to high application volumes or banks being busy with their regular tasks. Starting the process early, immediately after getting your admission letter, ensures you avoid the rush and potential delays.

By the time you receive your admission, you should already know which provider you’ll use to open your blocked account, allowing you to proceed without further delay.

If everything goes well, your blocked bank account should be ready within a week of submitting your application.

For example, opening an account at Expatrio takes less than 24 hours to receive your confirmation. Naturally, missing documents may cause lengthy delays and lead to rejection.

You can activate your account as soon as you arrive in Germany. Here’s what you need:

• Registration Certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung). This means you must register your address as soon as you arrive in Germany.
• German residence permit. Apply for a residence permit within the first three months of arrival. You may need your German residence permit for the activation.
• Proof of current bank account.

If you have these documents, start the activation process on your provider’s website.

To withdraw money a set amount of €992 will be transferred to your regular German bank account each month. You can then freely access and spend the funds. You can withdraw your money from an ATM, as usual.

If you need more money, you’ll have to get it from other sources.

You cannot withdraw more than the fixed monthly amount. This account is set up to release only a specific sum each month, making sure you have enough money to cover your living expenses during your stay in Germany.

No, you cannot deposit less than €11,904. However, you can deposit more if you wish.

No, it is only required for your first year of studies.

To extend your residence permit in the second year, you can show financial support through scholarships, a student job, parental support, or a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung).

But, if the Foreigners’ Authority thinks your financial evidence is not enough, they may ask for additional funds in your blocked account.

If your visa application is rejected by the German embassy in your home country, you will be refunded and the provider will close your blocked account. Contact your provider or the German consulate in your country, and they will tell you what you need to submit to get your money back.

The transfer fee will not be refunded.

Yes, a third party can deposit the funds on your behalf. However, they must prove their identity initially. The blocked account provider may request authorization from you to that person or organization, a valid passport, and a bank receipt of the bank transfer.

Yes, your money is safe in Germany. Every bank customer is protected by that secures up to €100,000 of your money in the unlikely event something goes wrong with the bank. Plus, many banks offer extra protection beyond this amount. Everyone who has needed this protection has been fully paid back, so you can feel secure.

Yes, you can open it directly with German banks, but not all offer it, and each has different rules. If you’re not in Germany, visiting the bank isn’t possible, so you might have to mail your documents, which is a hassle.

This is why intermediaries like Expatrio, Fintiba, etc., are helpful for internationals. They make things easier by letting you do everything online, avoiding the need to send documents by mail. It’s a smoother process with them, which we highly recommend.

The process above is the same in any country you apply from. Here is a more detailed article about opening a blocked account in India.

You can register your residence in Germany at the Residents’ Registration Office or Einwohnermeldeamt, as it is known in German.

You must register your address within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. The bank will need it to send details of your blocked account once you arrive in Germany.