Dreaming of Germany? How to Move Without the Blocked Account Hassle

For many students around the world, studying in Germany is an aspiration. It not only has a great education system but also provides lucrative career options and a great economy along with healthy living standards. However, many get apprehensive when they think that they can’t relocate to Germany without a blocked account.

Well, we have good news for you! You can study in Germany without a blocked account. Of course, you will have to fulfill certain requirements and we are here to help you get acquainted with just that piece of information. So, let us find out the way.

What is a Blocked Account?
First of all, let us understand what a blocked account is. Essentially, a blocked account refers to an account from which you can’t withdraw money from until you arrive in Germany. It serves as a proof of financial resource for job-seekers and foreign students who are planning to come to Germany that they can survive in the country for a year. It is a pre-requisite requirement when someone applies for either a student resident permit or a German student visa.

As you allocate a certain portion of your money to your account, which is determined by the German government, you prove to them that you have enough resources to sustain yourself in their country.

Ways to Relocate to Germany without a Blocked Account
Foreign students are usually required to open a blocked account before coming to Germany to study but there are certain exceptions.

There are three ways you can ensure you relocate to Germany without a blocked account. They are as follows.
– Government funding or approved student loans. The confirmation will only be made
once it is proven that the amount of fund will be sufficient enough to cover the expenses
that you may have to incur while you stay in Germany.
– A scholarship from an established educational institution that will cover the expenses of
your stay.
– Invitation from a friend or relative in Germany. Known as Verpflichtungserklärung, this process basically ensures that the person who invites you can financially support you during your course of stay. However, it must be noted that the reason for sending the invitation must strictly be studies. One can obtain this document at an Alien’s Registration office in Germany.

Amount of Money Needed for a Blocked Account
As of October 2022, the amount of money that has to be deposited in a blocked account for applying for a student visa to Germany stands at €11,208 annually or 934€ per month for your (for 12 months). This amount has been set by Germany’s state funding for students. However, don’t take the amount for granted as it often varies. So, we highly recommend you check in and confirm with an embassy or consulate before planning to come to Germany.

Amount of Money That Can be Withdrawn from a Blocked Account
Another major aspect that needs to be kept in mind is the amount of money you can withdraw each month. You can only withdraw the maximum amount mentioned monthly every month. This is true unless you have deposited a larger amount of money in your blocked account than is necessary.

Finding the Right Blocked Account Provider
Last but certainly not least, you should be careful of where you get your blocked account from. Although there are many blocked account providers in Germany, there are only a few that are officially approved by the German authorities. So, we can’t stress enough on the importance of finding an official provider, else your visa and money both would be at a huge risk.

The complete list of providers can be found on the official website of the German Federal Foreign Office. So, make sure to check it out. We hope this article has given you all the relevant information you needed to find the appropriate ways to relocate to Germany without a blocked account. So, follow the protocols, maintain the rules, don’t trust any shady sources, and engage with official authorities only so that your journey remains safe and protected.