A Sperrkonto (blocked account) holds the financial proof required for a German student visa: €11,904 for the 2025/2026 academic year (set annually by the German Foreign Office). The money is deposited before you apply for the visa. Once in Germany, you withdraw a set monthly amount (€992 in 2025) to prove you can fund your studies. This is not a real bank account — it's a holding account that releases funds on a schedule.
The Four Main Providers
Coracle
Coracle (coracle.de) is Germany's fastest option for non-EU students. Account opening takes one to three business days. Fee: approximately €109 one-time for the full service period. Coracle's biggest advantage is the speed of acceptance of Chinese bank transfers — they have processes optimized for China SAFE quota wire transfers. English interface throughout. Supported by multiple German universities as a recommended provider.
Expatrio
Expatrio (expatrio.com) bundles the blocked account with optional health insurance (Mawista travel insurance). Account setup: two to four business days. Fee: €89 plus optional insurance. Useful if you need to arrange health insurance alongside the blocked account.
Fintiba
Fintiba (fintiba.com) is owned by Deutsche Bank and operates with a full German banking infrastructure. Setup time: three to five business days. Fee: €89 setup + €4.90/month maintenance. Fintiba generates a Sperrkonto letter that German embassies accept without question. The monthly fee is a drawback if you're depositing two or three years' funding at once.
Deutsche Bank Sperrkonto
Deutsche Bank's direct Sperrkonto requires a visit to a branch in person — in Germany or at a Deutsche Bank branch abroad if your country has one. Cheapest fee (often free or €30 to €50 one-time). The drawback: you need an existing relationship or a branch visit, and processing takes one to two weeks. Worth considering if you're applying from a country with a Deutsche Bank presence.
The Transfer Process From China
China's SAFE foreign exchange quota allows each person to convert up to $50,000 per year. Transferring ¥85,000 to ¥90,000 (approximate equivalent) for a Sperrkonto falls within this limit. The transfer takes two to five business days from Chinese bank to the Sperrkonto provider. You need: your Chinese bank account, the Sperrkonto IBAN number provided after account opening, and supporting documentation showing the purpose (student visa application).
Alternatively, parents can transfer on your behalf using their own SAFE quota.
After You Arrive in Germany
Present your Sperrkonto documents to a local German bank (where the account is actually held). They convert it to a regular access account and release €992 per month to your main bank account. Keep the Sperrkonto active until your Ausländerbehörde no longer requires it — usually once you have a residence permit for study that doesn't require proof of funds each year.
Quick Comparison
- Fastest setup: Coracle (1-3 days)
- Bundle with insurance: Expatrio
- Most bank-credentialed: Fintiba (Deutsche Bank infrastructure)
- Cheapest: Deutsche Bank direct (requires branch visit)
Comments