Chinese students planning to study in Germany must open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) as part of the visa requirement. The account shows German authorities that you have sufficient funds to cover your living costs — currently set at €11,208 per year (€934/month). You can only withdraw monthly installments, not the full amount at once.
The Three Main Providers
Expatrio, Fintiba, and Coracle are the three most widely used Sperrkonto providers for international students. All three are officially recognized for German student visa purposes. They differ in fees, setup speed, and additional services.
Expatrio
Monthly fee: €5.99 after a €29 one-time setup fee. Setup time: typically 3-7 business days. Additional features: health insurance partnerships (they partner with Care Concept for incoming student insurance), customer support in English and several other languages. Widely recommended in Chinese student forums for its setup speed and clear English process. Their confirmation letter (needed for the visa application) arrives quickly after account opening.
Fintiba
Monthly fee: €4.90 after a €29 setup fee. Setup time: 3-5 business days. Fintiba is operated in partnership with Sutor Bank, a German bank regulated by BaFin — this gives some students confidence in the regulatory backing. English support is available. The platform interface is clean and the monthly withdrawal process is straightforward.
Coracle
Monthly fee: varies (competitive with others). Known for: offering both a Sperrkonto and a regular German bank account (the Coracle Card), which can be useful for students who want to consolidate their German banking from the start. Slightly newer to the market than Expatrio and Fintiba but gaining reputation.
What to Check Before Choosing
Processing time: If you’re applying for your visa soon, processing time matters more than fee differences. Verify the current setup timeline on each provider’s website — they update these as their volume changes.
Home currency transfer fees: You’ll be transferring money from outside Germany (likely CNY, USD, or another currency) to the Sperrkonto. Check the exchange rate and transfer fee charged by your home bank, not just the Sperrkonto provider’s fees. Transfer fees often exceed the annual difference in monthly account fees.
Consulate requirements: Most German consulates accept any of the three main providers, but verify with your specific consulate that they accept the provider you choose before opening the account.
