The short answer
To study in Germany you must prove your living funds through a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 for 2026, released to you at about €992 a month after you arrive, and take out German-recognised health insurance. Both are mandatory for the student visa and for enrolling at your university. Verify the current figures on official German sources before you apply.
Two requirements decide whether your German student visa is approved: proving you can pay for a year of living, and showing you are covered by health insurance. The first is handled by a blocked account (Sperrkonto); the second by German-recognised health insurance. Both are mandatory, both are set up before you travel, and both trip students up when left late. This guide explains exactly how each works, with the official figures labelled — verify them on German government sources before you lodge your application.
What a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is
A blocked account is a special bank account where you deposit the German government’s estimate of one year’s living costs. For 2026 that amount is €11,904. The money is “blocked” — you cannot touch it — until you arrive in Germany, after which it is released to you in monthly instalments of about €992 to live on. Crucially, this is your own money, not a fee: you get every euro back as living allowance once you land. It exists purely to prove to the embassy that you can support yourself without working illegally.
- Amount to depositThe government’s living-cost estimate for 12 months (2026 figure).€11,904
- Monthly release after arrivalPaid out to you each month once you’re in Germany.~€992
- Health insuranceGerman-recognised cover — mandatory for the visa and enrolment (see below).Required
Blocked-account and financial-proof figures are set by the German Federal Foreign Office; €11,904 is current for 2026 but verify on official sources before applying.
Zoe Craydel, Senior counsellor, Craydel Germany
How to open a Sperrkonto
You open the account with a provider that the German missions recognise for this purpose. Most students do it online in a few days:
- Choose a recognised blocked-account provider. Several digital providers and some banks offer Sperrkonten for students — use one accepted by the German embassy handling your application (the mission publishes what it accepts).
- Open the account and transfer €11,904 from your (or your sponsor’s) funds, plus the provider’s one-off setup and monthly service fees.
- Get the confirmation letter showing the blocked balance — this is the document you submit with your visa application.
- After you arrive, verify your address/registration with the provider so the monthly release (~€992) starts paying into your German current account.
A full scholarship or a formally accepted sponsor’s declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) can replace the blocked account in some cases — check what your embassy accepts for your country. If you have a Craydel-linked scholarship, we’ll tell you whether it covers the proof-of-funds requirement.
Health insurance: the second must-have
Germany makes health insurance compulsory — you cannot get the visa or enrol at a university without valid, German-recognised cover. There are two systems, and which one you use matters:
- Statutory / public insurance (GKV)The route for most enrolled students — a reduced student rate applies, typically up to around age 30 or a semester limit. Get a confirmation of coverage for enrolment.Most students
- Private insurance (PKV)Used by students who don’t qualify for the public student rate (e.g. older students) or specific programmes.Some students
- Travel / “incoming” cover for the gapPublic student cover usually starts at enrolment, so you often need travel or expat health insurance to bridge from arrival until you enrol — the embassy expects valid cover from day one.Bridge period
Budget a monthly premium for your insurance on top of the blocked account — the public system charges students a reduced rate, but confirm the current amount with a recognised insurer before you plan, as it changes. Your insurer issues an electronic confirmation of insurance that your university needs to complete enrolment. Health insurance is a separate requirement from the blocked account — the €11,904 is your living money and does not include your premiums.
Set them up in the right order. Open the blocked account and arrange health insurance before your embassy appointment — you need both documents in the file. Health cover must be valid from the day you arrive, so take out travel/expat insurance for the arrival-to-enrolment gap, then switch to student public insurance once you enrol.
Not sure how much to deposit or which insurance to pick?
Craydel walks you through the blocked account, health insurance and the whole visa file for your English-taught German course — at no cost to you.
How it fits the visa timeline
The blocked account and health insurance sit in the middle of your visa preparation. The usual order once you have a university offer:
- Get your admission for an English-taught programme (no German test needed — see our English-taught guide).
- Check if you need an APS certificate for your country, and start it early if so.
- Open the blocked account and deposit €11,904 (or arrange an accepted alternative).
- Take out German-recognised health insurance (travel/expat cover for the gap, then student public insurance at enrolment).
- Attend your visa appointment at the German embassy or visa partner with both confirmations in your file.
For the full requirements and steps, see our German student visa guide; for how the €11,904 sits within your total budget, see the cost of studying in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I put in a German blocked account for 2026?
€11,904 — the German government’s estimate of one year’s living costs. It’s blocked until you arrive, then released to you at about €992 a month. It’s your money to live on, not a fee, and it’s separate from tuition and from your health-insurance premiums.
How is the money released?
Once you’re in Germany and have registered your address, the provider pays about €992 into your German current account each month. You cannot withdraw more than the monthly cap, which is why it’s called a “blocked” account.
How do I open a Sperrkonto?
Choose a blocked-account provider your German embassy recognises, open the account online, transfer €11,904 plus the provider’s fees, and submit the confirmation letter with your visa application. A full scholarship or accepted sponsor’s declaration can replace it in some cases.
Is health insurance mandatory, and how much does it cost?
Yes — German-recognised health insurance is compulsory for both the visa and university enrolment. Most students use public (statutory) insurance at a reduced student rate; older students may need private cover. Budget a monthly premium and confirm the current amount with a recognised insurer, as it changes.
Does the blocked account include my health insurance?
No. The €11,904 is for living costs and is released to you monthly. Health insurance is a separate, mandatory cost you arrange on top — and you need proof of cover valid from the day you arrive, so take out travel/expat insurance to bridge the period until you enrol.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office — blocked account (Sperrkonto) and financial proof (€11,904). auswaertiges-amt.de
- Make-it-in-Germany — student visa, health insurance and requirements. make-it-in-germany.com
- DAAD — funding proof, insurance and enrolment requirements. daad.de
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