If students have scholarships, do they still need to maintain the blocked account amount in Germany?
No, you generally do not need a blocked account if your scholarship fully covers Germany's living cost of EUR 992 a month, or EUR 11,904 a year. A partial scholarship still leaves you needing a partial blocked account for the shortfall, backed by an award letter for your visa office.
Your German student visa needs proof of funds, not necessarily a blocked account specifically, so a full scholarship from a recognised provider can stand in its place. What matters is whether your scholarship meets the government's monthly threshold, and whether your award letter spells out the terms clearly enough for the embassy to accept it in place of a Sperrkonto.
Blocked Account Versus Scholarship Coverage
| Scenario | Blocked Account Needed | What You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| Full scholarship meeting or exceeding EUR 992 a month | No | Official scholarship certificate or award letter |
| Partial scholarship, for example EUR 500 a month | Yes, for the remaining balance | Partial blocked account or alternative proof covering the deficit |
| No scholarship | Yes, full amount | EUR 11,904 deposited in a blocked account |
What Your Scholarship Award Letter Must State
- The total amount of funding awarded.
- The exact monthly stipend amount.
- The duration or timeline of the scholarship.
- Confirmation that the funds are guaranteed and not conditional.
- Accepted providers typically include DAAD, the Heinrich Boll Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, your home government, or other recognised international bodies.
My Advice
Ask your scholarship provider today for a formal award letter that names the exact monthly figure, and if it falls short of EUR 992, open a partial blocked account for only the difference rather than the full amount, which saves you from locking up money you do not need to.
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