To obtain a German student visa, you must prove you can financially support yourself for one year in Germany. The standard way to do this is a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — a special German bank account that holds €11,208 and releases it to you at a rate of approximately €934 per month after you arrive. The account is "blocked" in the sense that you cannot withdraw it all at once; the monthly releases ensure you have consistent income throughout your studies. For Indian students, the entire process — from opening the account online to transferring money from India — can be done before you leave.
Provider comparison — which blocked account is best for Indian students?
All three fintech providers work well for Indian applicants. Choose based on fees and any bundled services you need.
| Fintiba | ~€89 setup + €4.90/month maintenance. Fast online process, English interface, accepted by all German consulates. Popular and well-established. |
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| Expatrio | ~€99 setup + €4.90/month. Can bundle with health insurance (Ottonova). Slightly slower in some cases. Also widely accepted. |
| Coracle | ~€79 setup + €4.90/month. Newer provider, competitive fees, good reviews. Accepted by consulates. |
| Deutsche Bank | Traditional German bank. Requires visiting a branch in Germany — not practical before arrival. Avoid for pre-departure setup. |
| Sparkasse / Commerzbank | Also require German presence to open. Not suitable for pre-arrival blocked account. |
How to open a blocked account from India — step by step
- Choose your provider (Fintiba, Expatrio, or Coracle) and visit their website. All three have English interfaces designed for international students.
- Register and complete your identity verification (KYC). This is done online using your passport and a video identification process (usually via IDnow or a similar service). Complete this on a laptop or smartphone with a working camera.
- Receive your IBAN and account details by email. This typically takes 1–3 business days after identity verification.
- Transfer €11,208 to your blocked account via SWIFT bank transfer. Use your Indian bank's net banking or visit a branch. Important: clearly state the purpose as "education / blocked account for student visa" in the transfer remarks.
- Wait for the transfer to arrive (2–5 business days for international SWIFT). Once the funds clear, the provider sends you your official blocked account confirmation letter.
- Download and print the confirmation letter. This is one of the key documents for your German student visa application.
Transferring money from India — what you need to know about LRS and TCS
Sending €11,208 (approximately ₹10–11 lakh at current rates) from India to Germany falls under the RBI Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows Indian residents to remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year per person for permitted purposes including education abroad. Your parents can each remit separately under their own LRS limits if needed. At your Indian bank, you will need to submit Form A2 declaring the purpose of remittance. Tax Collected at Source (TCS) applies on foreign remittances under LRS — for education-related transfers above ₹7 lakh, TCS at 5% is collected at source, which you can claim back when filing your Indian income tax return. Consult a CA or your bank for the latest TCS rates, as they have changed in recent years. Allow 2–5 business days for the SWIFT transfer to reach Germany.
Practical tips
Start the blocked account process as soon as you have your admission letter — you need the confirmation letter for your visa application, and the whole process takes at least 2 weeks end to end.
Keep the transfer confirmation from your Indian bank. The German consulate may ask for it during your visa interview as additional proof of financial capacity.
After arriving in Germany, register with your Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority) and activate monthly withdrawals with your provider. The money does not release automatically — you need to complete activation.
The blocked account covers your first year only. From year two, you can use a regular German bank account, a German scholarship letter, or proof of part-time income to satisfy the annual financial proof requirement for visa renewal.
Some German universities have scholarship arrangements with Fintiba that reduce or waive the setup fee. Check with your university's international office.
Common mistakes to avoid
Sending less than €11,208. Even €1 short will result in the provider rejecting the transfer and your confirmation letter not being issued. Account for any bank transfer fees by sending slightly more than the minimum, then withdrawing the excess after the account is set up.
Not stating the correct transfer purpose. Indian banks need to see a clear education/blocked account purpose. Vague transfer descriptions can cause compliance delays.
Waiting too long. The visa application process also takes 4–8 weeks after your appointment. If you add the time to open the blocked account, you need at least 3 months before your intended arrival date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your visa is rejected or you decide not to go, you can close the blocked account and have the funds returned to your Indian bank account. The setup fee is typically non-refundable, but the principal amount (€11,208) is returned in full.
German consulates generally require a blocked account specifically. In rare cases — particularly for sponsored students or those with official scholarship letters — the consulate may accept alternative financial proof. However, for the vast majority of Indian applicants, a blocked account is mandatory. Do not attempt to substitute bank statements unless your consulate explicitly confirms it in writing.
After completing your Anmeldung (city registration) and submitting the required documents to your blocked account provider, they activate monthly withdrawals of approximately €934. You receive this directly to a German bank account of your choosing each month. After 12 months, the account is typically closed and any remaining balance (if you have not withdrawn everything) is available to you freely.
Yes. The blocked account is in your name, but any person can transfer funds to it from any bank. Your parents can transfer from their own Indian bank accounts under their individual LRS limits. The funds in the blocked account are yours once they arrive, regardless of who sent them.
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