The student blocked account (Sperrkonto), explained

To get a German student visa you must prove you can cover your living costs. The most common way is a blocked account (Sperrkonto): a special bank account holding a fixed sum that you can only draw down month by month after you arrive.

How much do you need?

For the current academic year you must deposit €11,904/year before your visa appointment. The account then releases roughly one twelfth each month once you are in Germany.

The amount is set by the Federal Foreign Office and changes most years, so confirm it before transferring money. The figure above is read live from this site's verified data layer — it is the same number used by the calculators and shown in every language.

Good to know

• Open and fund the account before booking your visa appointment; funding can take one to two weeks.
• Transfer slightly more than the minimum to absorb transfer fees and currency conversion.
• Providers such as Fintiba and Expatrio specialise in blocked accounts for international students.

This is information, not legal advice. Always confirm the current requirements with the German mission responsible for you.