Information Guide › Visa
The blocked account (Sperrkonto): amount, process, pitfalls
The financial proof that decides many German visa applications — with current figures from the Federal Foreign Office.
Reviewed by: Hazem Ibrahim (M. Sc.) · 2026-08-03 Reviewed
Before issuing a long-stay visa, German missions must see that you can support yourself. A blocked account is the most widely accepted proof.
- Students — per yearEUR 11,904
- Students — monthly withdrawalEUR 992
- Stand-alone language courses — monthlyEUR 1,091
- Opportunity Card / job search (2026) — monthlyEUR 1,091
For language courses that prepare for university study, the amounts for a degree programme may apply. What counts is the current requirement of the competent German mission — example: language-course visa page of a German embassy.
Figures are reviewed periodically and individual embassies may require more. Always check your embassy page shortly before transferring.
After arrival, the account holder completes the required steps with the account provider; the monthly payouts then start according to the blocked-account mechanism.
- Confirm the amount with your German embassy
- Confirm the provider is accepted there
- Keep the confirmation certificate safe
Official sources
- Auswärtiges Amt — Sperrkonto eröffnen und schließenGerman Federal Foreign Office · 2026-08-03
- Deutsche Botschaft Rom — Visum für Sprachkurse (Finanzierungsnachweis)بعثة ألمانية — وزارة الخارجية · 2026-08-03
- Make it in Germany — Official skilled-workers portalGerman Federal Government · 2026-08-03
- DAAD — Financing your studies in GermanyGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) · 2026-08-03
General organisational information — no individual legal advice and no representation in court.