Amount per year (2026)
€11,904
Amount per month
€992
Usual proof
Blocked account (Sperrkonto)
Alternatives
Scholarship letter, formal guarantee
Quick Answer
For a German student visa in 2026, you must show proof of funds of €11,904 for the year, which is €992 per month. Most students do this with a blocked account (Sperrkonto) that releases €992 a month after they arrive. The amount follows the German student-aid (BAföG) living allowance and is adjusted from time to time. A recognised scholarship or a formal guarantee from a person in Germany can sometimes replace the blocked account.
How much money Germany requires in 2026
For 2026, the required proof of funds for a German student visa is €11,904 per year, which equals €992 per month. This is the figure students deposit into a blocked account before applying for the visa, according to Study-Abroad.org's Sperrkonto guide.
The amount is based on the German federal student-aid (BAföG) living allowance and is set by the Federal Foreign Office. It is adjusted from time to time, so confirm the current figure with the German mission that handles your visa before you transfer money.
What a blocked account is
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) holds your living-cost money in Germany. You deposit the full yearly amount first, and the provider releases €992 each month to your regular German account once you have arrived and activated the account. The first release typically comes two to four weeks after activation.
Because you cannot withdraw more than the monthly amount, the bank and the embassy can see that you will have money for the whole year.
Alternatives to a blocked account
Some applicants can prove their finances in another way, but the embassy decides what it accepts:
- A recognised scholarship, such as DAAD or Erasmus+, whose confirmation letter shows it covers your living costs
- A formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) signed by a person who lives in Germany
- Parental bank statements, which are accepted inconsistently and are less reliable than a blocked account
If you are relying on an alternative, confirm it in writing with the embassy before you apply.
A simple plan for Nepali applicants
- Confirm the current amount with the German mission before you deposit anything.
- Choose a blocked account provider and check its fees, because the provider charges extra on top of the €11,904.
- Plan your transfer early. International transfers from Nepal need paperwork and time.
- Keep your confirmation document. The blocked account provider issues it, and you attach it to the visa application.
- Budget beyond the blocked account. The €992 covers living costs only. Compare it with your real expenses.
For the wider picture, read our guide to studying in Germany and the documents required for a student visa from Nepal.
Sources
The 2026 figure is the same across many published guides, but it comes from the Federal Foreign Office, so confirm it with the German embassy or the official visa pages before you pay. Checked in October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the German blocked account in 2026?
The 2026 amount is €11,904 per year, which is €992 per month.
What is a Sperrkonto?
A Sperrkonto is a blocked account that holds your living-cost money. You deposit the yearly amount first, and it releases €992 a month once you have arrived in Germany.
Can I use a scholarship instead of a blocked account for Germany?
Sometimes. A confirmation letter from a recognised scholarship such as DAAD or Erasmus+ that covers your living costs can replace the blocked account, but the embassy decides.
Are parents' bank statements accepted for a German student visa?
They are accepted inconsistently and are considered less reliable than a blocked account, so confirm with the embassy first.
Talk to Counselor Today
