How long do I need to keep the money in the block account, is it for months or years in Germany?
Your German blocked account, or Sperrkonto, is set up for 12 months at a time, so it is structured in months, not years. You must deposit the full annual minimum of 11,904 euros upfront, released to you as a capped 992 euros each month.
Your blocked account in Germany, called a Sperrkonto, runs on a 12-month cycle, so think of it in months rather than years, even though you will likely need to repeat this process annually. You deposit a full year's living expenses upfront, and the bank releases that money to you in fixed monthly installments rather than all at once.
Blocked Account Requirements
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total account duration | 12 months (1 year) |
| Minimum deposit required | 11,904 euros |
| Monthly release amount | 992 euros |
| Renewal needed if staying longer | Yes, annually, with extensions beyond 24 months often needing written authority confirmation |
Why It Feels Like Both Months and Years
Each blocked account you open only lasts 12 months, and the money inside it is released to you monthly to cover rent, food, health insurance, and daily expenses. But if your Bachelor's or Master's program runs longer than a year, which is typical, you must extend or re-fund a fresh blocked account for each additional year, and German authorities will ask you to prove this again at every residence permit renewal.
My Advice
Deposit only the required 11,904 euros for your first year rather than over-funding the account, since it releases just 992 euros monthly regardless of how much extra you put in, and set a reminder several months before your visa renewal date to re-fund or extend the account for your next year in Germany.
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