Proof of Funds for a Germany Student Visa: How Much & How to Show It
For a Germany student visa, proof of funds means one specific thing: a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 per year — or €992 released per month after you arrive in Germany. The prospective-student visa threshold is slightly higher at €1,091 per month. Both are confirmed by the German Federal Foreign Office for 2026 and are reviewed annually. This guide explains how to open the account, when to do it, and what alternatives exist.
For a full overview of every financial proof requirement across destinations, see our proof-of-funds guide at /visa/proof-of-funds/. For Germany specifically, see our Germany visa guide. Check whether you qualify for our advisory support at /eligibility-check/.
The Two Thresholds You Need to Know
Germany sets two distinct proof-of-funds levels depending on which visa type you are applying for.
| Visa type | Legal basis | Required funds | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa (enrolled) | §16b Residence Act | €11,904/year (€992/month) | Applicants with an unconditional university admission letter |
| Prospective-student visa | §17(2) Residence Act | €1,091/month | Applicants attending a Studienkolleg, language course, or still seeking admission |
The §17(2) prospective-student visa covers stays of up to nine months — long enough to complete a Studienkolleg year and then convert to the enrolled-student permit. Because you are not yet admitted, the embassy applies a higher monthly threshold.
Both figures are confirmed on the make-it-in-germany.com portal (the Federal Government’s official immigration resource) and on study-in-germany.de, verified June 2026. They are volatile — the amount is tied to Germany’s maximum BAföG rate and can change annually. Always re-check on the official portals when you apply.
What Is a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)?
The Sperrkonto is a restricted German bank account into which you deposit the full annual requirement before receiving your visa. Once you arrive in Germany and activate the account, the bank releases a fixed amount each month — currently €992. You cannot access the lump sum in one go.
The mechanism works as follows:
1. You transfer €11,904 (or more) to your Sperrkonto provider from abroad before your visa appointment.
2. The provider issues a confirmation statement showing the funds are on deposit and locked.
3. You present this statement at your German embassy appointment as evidence of financial support.
4. After you arrive and begin your studies, you register the account with your local bank and draw €992 per month.
This design ensures you have living funds available throughout your stay — and gives the embassy confidence that you will not be dependent on state assistance.
Which Providers Offer Recognised Blocked Accounts?
The Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) names Deutsche Bank as one recognised provider. Specialist fintech platforms that serve international students — such as Fintiba and Expatrio — are widely used and accepted by German embassies. Both offer an online application process and issue the confirmation letter within a few business days of receiving your transfer.
When choosing a provider, check:
– The embassy in your country explicitly accepts this provider (most accept all well-known options, but confirm from the embassy checklist).
– The confirmation letter states the amount, account holder name, and that it is a Sperrkonto.
– The monthly release mechanism is clear.
Timing is critical. Some providers take 3–10 business days from the moment your international transfer clears. Open the account at least four to six weeks before your visa appointment date, not the week before. A pending or unactivated account will not satisfy the embassy’s requirement.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Your Sperrkonto
Step 1 — Receive your unconditional admission letter. You need this before opening the Sperrkonto at most providers. For the §17(2) visa (Studienkolleg / language course), a conditional acceptance or enrolment letter may suffice; check your specific embassy checklist.
Step 2 — Apply online with your chosen provider. You will need your passport details, admission letter, and a contact address in Germany (the university address is normally acceptable if you do not yet have private accommodation confirmed).
Step 3 — Transfer the funds from your home bank. Transfer at least €11,904 in a single payment. Sending in multiple small transfers is possible but some providers consolidate more smoothly with a single transfer. Factor in international wire fees from your home bank.
Step 4 — Receive and save the confirmation letter. This is the key document. It must state your name, the account number, the amount deposited, and that the account is a blocked student account. Keep a certified copy.
Step 5 — Include the confirmation letter in your visa application. Present the original or a certified copy at your in-person embassy appointment, alongside the rest of your document set.
Step 6 — After arrival, activate the monthly release. Once you are enrolled and registered in Germany, contact your provider to begin the €992/month drawdown.
Accepted Alternatives to a Blocked Account
The blocked account is the standard route, but German law recognises three other forms of proof:
1. Scholarship award letter from a publicly funded body. A confirmed DAAD scholarship, Erasmus Mundus award, or other publicly recognised scholarship removes the blocked-account requirement entirely — the award letter serves as proof of financial support. Present the official letter at your appointment. If the scholarship covers only partial costs, you may need a reduced blocked account for the remainder.
2. Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment) from a sponsor in Germany. A German resident — a parent already working there, a relative, or a family friend — can lodge a formal declaration of commitment with their local Ausländerbehörde. This creates a legal obligation for the sponsor to cover your costs and is accepted in lieu of a blocked account. The process requires the sponsor to appear in person at the foreigners’ authority and demonstrate their own financial capacity. It is more complex and slower than opening a blocked account; most African students use the Sperrkonto route instead.
3. Confirmed student-assistant (HiWi) income of ≥€992/month. This is relevant mainly for renewal applications, where you can demonstrate you are earning the minimum through a university contract. It is rarely applicable to a first-time visa application.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why it causes a problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Using a standard savings account at a home bank | Does not meet the Sperrkonto definition; not a recognised provider | Use a German blocked-account provider from the outset |
| Opening the account the week before the appointment | Activation takes 3–10 business days; letter may not be ready | Open and fund 4–6 weeks before the appointment |
| Funding in instalments that total €11,904 at the last minute | Confirmation letter must show the full amount at the time of issue | Transfer the full amount in one payment well in advance |
| Presenting a translation of a bank statement instead of a Sperrkonto letter | Not the same document; embassies know the difference | Open a recognised Sperrkonto; the confirmation letter is a specific format |
| Not accounting for transfer fees | Your transfer arrives short; the account shows less than €11,904 | Add a buffer (€50–100) above €11,904 for bank charges; replenish if short |
What These Amounts Look Like in African Currencies
All conversions are at mid-market rates as of June 2026 (VERIFIED_CONSTANTS). African currencies are volatile — re-check before any transfer.
| EUR amount | NGN ₦ (1,575/€) | KES KSh (148/€) | GHS ₵ (13.6/€) | ZAR R (18.8/€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual requirement: €11,904 | ₦18,749,300 | KSh1,761,792 | ₵161,894 | R223,795 |
| Monthly release: €992 | ₦1,562,400 | KSh146,816 | ₵13,491 | R18,650 |
| Prospective-student: €1,091/mo | ₦1,718,325 | KSh161,468 | ₵14,838 | R20,511 |
| Prospective (9 months): €9,819 | ₦15,464,925 | KSh1,453,212 | ₵133,538 | R184,597 |
FX sourced from VERIFIED_CONSTANTS, June 2026. Figures are indicative only; re-check at the time of transfer.
Converting and transferring large sums internationally takes time and incurs charges. Budget for this process early — initiating the transfer from your home bank the week before the appointment is not enough time.
How the Blocked Account Relates to Your Monthly Budget
There is a figure that sometimes causes confusion: €934 per month. That is the DAAD master’s scholarship stipend — not the blocked-account amount. The blocked account releases €992 per month; the official government student living-cost benchmark is €849 per month. These are three different numbers with three different purposes. Keep them separate.
The blocked account is a visa financial threshold, not a measure of what students actually spend each month. The €849/month official budget is from the study-in-germany.de portal (confirmed June 2026) and reflects average actual spending — somewhat below the visa requirement. See our monthly budget breakdown for what the money actually goes on.
For DAAD Scholarship Holders
If you receive a DAAD EPOS scholarship or a DAAD Study Scholarship (both paying €934 per month plus additional allowances), the National (Type D) visa fee of €75 is waived for publicly-funded scholarship holders. You also do not need the blocked account — your official scholarship award letter replaces it.
All six African origins (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa) are eligible to apply for DAAD scholarships at the master’s level. See our Germany cost guide for the full scholarship landscape.
How World Study Helps
Our advisory service helps you navigate the blocked-account requirement — from choosing the right provider and understanding your timeline, to making sure the rest of your visa dossier is consistent with your Sperrkonto documents. We work with most partner universities on a commission basis; there is no upfront charge to students for this guidance.
Check your eligibility first, or speak to our team on WhatsApp if you want to discuss your specific situation before committing.
Summary
Proof of funds for a Germany student visa means a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 per year for enrolled students or €1,091 per month for prospective-student visa applicants. The account must be open, funded and confirmed — from a recognised provider — before your in-person embassy appointment. Give yourself four to six weeks from opening the account to appointment day. Three alternatives exist (scholarship letter, sponsor’s Verpflichtungserklärung, or confirmed HiWi income), but the Sperrkonto is the standard and simplest route for most African applicants.
For everything else the visa requires, see our full Germany visa guide at /education/germany/visa/. For a comparison of proof-of-funds requirements across all our destinations, visit the proof-of-funds hub at /visa/proof-of-funds/.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a Germany student visa?
For the standard enrolled-student visa (§16b), you need €11,904 per year — equal to €992 per month — held in a blocked account. If you are applying for a prospective-student visa to seek admission or attend a Studienkolleg (§17(2)), the threshold is higher at €1,091 per month. Both figures are confirmed by the German Federal Foreign Office for 2026 and are reviewed periodically — re-check on make-it-in-germany.com each cycle.
What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto) and how does it work?
A Sperrkonto is a restricted German bank account where the full amount is deposited upfront but released at a fixed monthly rate — currently €992 — after you arrive in Germany. You cannot withdraw the lump sum all at once. The embassy checks that the full amount (€11,904) is on deposit before it issues your visa. Common providers include Deutsche Bank and fintech platforms specifically designed for international students. Always use a recognised provider.
Can my parents’ bank statement replace a blocked account?
No — a foreign savings or current account statement does not satisfy Germany’s proof-of-funds requirement. Your sponsor can support you, but the route is a Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment): your sponsor lodges a formal commitment letter with a German foreigners’ authority (Ausländerbehörde), which then creates a legal obligation, not just a statement of intent. This is more complex than simply opening a blocked account, and is less commonly used.
Does a DAAD scholarship remove the proof-of-funds requirement?
Yes — a confirmed scholarship from a publicly funded body, including DAAD, is accepted in place of a blocked account. Present the official award letter at your visa appointment. If your scholarship covers only part of your costs, you may need a partial blocked account to cover the remainder. Confirm the coverage letter states the monthly stipend explicitly.
When should I open the blocked account?
Open it as soon as you receive your unconditional admission letter — ideally 4–6 weeks before your embassy appointment. Some providers take 3–10 business days to activate the account after you transfer funds. The confirmation letter from the provider must be dated before your appointment; a pending or just-opened account without a statement will not satisfy the requirement.
Not sure where you stand? Ask us honestly.
Our core guidance is free. Tell us your grades, budget and target country — we’ll tell you what is realistic, with real costs in your currency. No inflated promises.