Blocked account – Proof of financial resources

A blocked account, as the name says, is a bank account in which a specific amount of money is “blocked” from taking out. It is a special bank account which is required for obtaining a visa to Germany if you have to study or apply as a job seeker. In German, it is called as “Sperrkonto”.

If you are a non EU student, while applying for visa or residence permit, you might have to prove your financial resources for the duration of study or job seeking in Germany. It implies the proof of adequate financial means.

Why do you have to open a blocked account?

Usually, if you are getting a one year student visa or six months job seeker visa, depending on the standard monthly expense, you might have to show 720€ (or in some cases 735€) per month of stay. This money will be blocked in the account and will be released monthly. As a student, 12*720 = 8640€ will be blocked. After you come to Germany, 720€ can be taken out of the account monthly. In this way, the government ensures that the applicant could pay for his/her monthly expenses throughout the visa period.

What happens after one year, after you spend all the money in the blocked account?

After one year, the permit has to be extended and in that case, there is no need to show 8640€ as “blocked” in the bank account. Even though one might need to show sufficient money for extension of visa, the amount is not blocked after one year in case of students.

What is MyHelpBuddy?

MyHelpBuddy is a platform where any international student or expat can ask for help and find people who are ready to support. For example, if you need help in German bureaucracy, translation, interpreter to accompany you to registration, foreign office, etc, you can post your request and get connected with Buddies.

If you are someone who is living in Germany and would like to become a Buddy and offer support to newbies, you can REGISTER AS A BUDDY and post your offer.