Germany may be affordable for students, but it’s not entirely free. To make it to the country, you will need to have some money saved up.
You need to have €11,904 per year or €992 per month to prove that you can live in Germany without financial strain. There are several ways to present this proof, but a German blocked account is the most common.
We will explain everything below; including how to open a blocked account with Expatrio, how much it costs, and more.
What is Expatrio?
Expatrio is one of the most popular state-recognized blocked account providers in Germany. The Berlin-based platform is a one-stop shop for a couple of services, actually. Not only can you open a blocked account in a matter of minutes, but you can also buy different types of necessary insurance for Germany and have a German bank account opened for you.
How to Open a Blocked Account With Expatrio
Opening a blocked account with Expatrio is super quick and easy. All you have to do is go to the Expatrio website and follow these steps:
1. Select the Purpose of Your Visit to Germany
A lot of German visa applicants need a blocked account, be it for Studienkolleg, Internships, university studies, etc. Choose whichever one applies to you on the dropdown Profession list.
2. Confirm that You Are Over 18
You have to be over the age of 18 to apply for the blocked account offered by Expatrio. If you fulfill this requirement, check the Yes box.
3. Calculate the Total Amount of the Blocked Account
Next, adjust these two components if you need to:
- Amount per month – This is the amount of money you’re allowed to withdraw each month. The standard and maximum amount is €992. You can go lower if you have a partial scholarship or another form of funding that covers the remaining amount.
- Duration of stay – This is the duration for which you need the blocked account. For student visa applications, you usually need to provide proof of funds only for the first year. If your purpose of stay is less than a year, you can adjust the blocked account’s term (for example, to eight months).
4. Consider Other Package Benefits
You can choose to add two benefits to your account:
- Support in setting up your German bank account (Free of charge).
- Health insurance (Incoming insurance free + Student health insurance with TK monthly premium fee).
5. Provide Some Personal Information
Next, you have to provide the following information:
- Gender
- First & Last Name
- Phone Number
- Date, Place, and Country of Birth
- Nationality
- Email Address
6. Provide Address Information
Provide your German address if you have already set up your physical mail there, or give the information of your current address outside of Germany.
7. Provide Info on Your University in Germany
If you need the blocked account for a student visa, choose the university you will be visiting from a drop-down list.
Next, you’ll need to provide information on its campus location, and the major you will be studying, together with your estimated arrival date, start of studies date, and the country you’re relocating from.
8. ​Provide Financial Info
You have to provide some basic information regarding the source of your finances (i.e. is it from inheritance, pension, etc.) and your source of wealth. If you’re a U.S. citizen, make sure to check the box indicating this.
You also have to select a country that serves as a primary tax residence (select your parents’ country if you’re not yet taxed) and a tax identification number (if your country uses this system).
9. Upload Your Passport
Upload a clear picture of your passport’s main page & write the following information:
- Passport number.
- Date of issue.
- Date of expiry.
- Passport issuing authority (e.g. U.S. Department of State).
10. Finalize the Application and Wait for the Email
Once you are done submitting your information, confirm that you want to open the account and wait to be contacted via email.
Once Expatrio opens the blocked account (usually takes about 24 hours), they will email you the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and other information necessary to transfer the funds. All that’s left is to transfer your money. It can take about 1 to 5 days for them to receive the transfer.
11. Complete Transfer and Receive the Blocking Confirmation Document
Once the transfer is complete, you will receive a confirmation stating the total blocked amount and the monthly payout amount. Save and download this, as you will need it when applying for your German visa.
Benefits of Opening a Blocked Bank Account With Expatrio
Here are some of the reasons to consider Expatrio for your German-blocked account:
- Accepted worldwide. The Expatrio blocked account is accepted by German authorities all over the world, including embassies and other visa application centers.
- Super quick process. Opening a bank account is fully online and can be completed in as little as a day. The transfer process is straightforward—you will receive detailed instructions for everything.
- Avoid currency exchange rates. You can transfer funds in your local currency through the Expatrio Payment process.
- 200,000+ users. Safe to say this blocked account provider is tried-and-tested.
- Great user feedback. Expatrio boasts a 4.7 score out of 5 from 3,718 reviews on (review website) and a 4.6 score out of 5 from 859 reviews on Google.
- Value package benefits. Apart from the blocked account, Expatrio’s Value Package offers free travel health insurance, easy public health insurance subscription (monthly premium), a free German bank account, free International Student Discount Card (ISIC) card, and much more!
Cost of Expatrio Blocked Account
The following fees will be calculated into your package:
- Account buffer (€100) – To avoid currency exchanges or bank fees affecting the total amount of the blocked account. The buffer will be paid out with the last withdrawal from your blocked account.
- Set-up fee (€69) – One-time fee to open the account.
- Monthly fee (€5) – Administrative fee of the blocked account.
Total to be transferred (per year) = €12,133
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions frequently asked by students opening a blocked account with Expatrio:
Can I Use the Blocked Account By Expatrio as Proof of Funds for the German Student Visa?
Yes, the Expatrio blocked account is accepted by German authorities. Make sure to have the Blocking Confirmation Document with you during your visa appointment.
How Long Does It Take to Transfer My Money to the Blocked Account?
The transfer takes a couple of minutes, whereas it can take between 3 to 5 business days for the money to arrive in your account.
How Do I Access the Money on My Blocked Account?
A blocked account can only be used for monthly fixed payments and cannot function like a regular bank account. Therefore, you need to have a personal bank account to receive €992 per month from your blocked account.
The Expatrio Value Package includes a free German bank account add-on (to your blocked account) that you can open online, without a residence permit. You can use it to send, receive, and manage your money, without any additional fees. It also offers multi-language customer support, so you’ll be guided throughout the whole process, free of language barriers.
What Happens to the Blocked Account if My Visa Is Rejected?
The total amount on your blocked account, including the service fees, will all be transferred back to you if your visa is rejected.