Blocked Account Calculator 2026
How much money do you need in your blocked account (Sperrkonto) for your German visa, how much will you get each month, and how much extra cash should you plan for your first weeks? Get your numbers and a timeline in one place.
1Your visa
2Your first weeks (optional)
The blocked account only pays out monthly. Plan extra cash for costs at the start.
đď¸ Timeline
- 8 to 12 weeks before your visa appointment: compare providers and open the blocked account online.
- Transfer the full amount from your home bank. International transfers can take several working days.
- Download the confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) and take it to your visa appointment.
- After arrival: open a German bank account, register your address, and send your German IBAN to the provider to start the monthly payouts.
Blocked account guide 2026 â
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Student budget calculator â
Amounts last checked October 2026: 992 euros per month (11,904 euros per year) for students, set by the Federal Foreign Office, and 1,091 euros per month (13,092 euros per year) for the Opportunity Card. Some embassies accept other proof of finances, such as a scholarship or a formal obligation letter. Always check your embassy’s current requirements.
How to use the blocked account calculator
- Choose your visa type: student visa or Opportunity Card. The required monthly amount is different.
- Enter the number of months you need to prove. Most embassies ask for 12 months.
- Add your provider fees and a small buffer, because some providers deduct fees from the deposit.
- See the total amount to transfer and the monthly payout you will receive in Germany.
Understanding your result
For a student visa the Federal Foreign Office currently requires 992 euros per month, which is 11,904 euros for 12 months. For the Opportunity Card it is 1,091 euros per month, or 13,092 euros for a year.
After you arrive and open a German bank account, the provider pays out the monthly amount to you. It is meant to cover rent, food, insurance and other living costs.
Tips and common mistakes
- Transfer a little more than the minimum. If fees are deducted, your balance could fall below the required amount.
- Use the sender name exactly as in your passport, so the provider can match the payment quickly.
- International transfers can take several days. Start early, because you need the confirmation for your visa appointment.
- If your visa is refused, the money is usually refunded, minus fees. Check your provider terms before you pay.
- A scholarship or a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) can sometimes replace the blocked account.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need in 2026?
992 euros per month for students, usually 11,904 euros for 12 months, and 1,091 euros per month for the Opportunity Card. Amounts can change, so check the website of your German embassy before you transfer.
Can I take out more than the monthly amount?
No. The account is blocked, so you only receive the fixed monthly amount until the deposit is used up.
Which provider should I choose?
Compare fees, opening time and payout conditions. Our provider comparison explains the main options.
Compare providers in our blocked account provider guide and read the official blocked account rules for 2026.
