Closing your Blocked Account depends on your situation. Please read the scenario that applies to you carefully.

Scenario 1: Automatic closure of your Blocked Account after all of your monthly payouts are complete

• When: After you've arrived in Germany, activated your account, and received all scheduled monthly payouts.
• Action needed: None. Your Blocked Account closes automatically once all payouts are completed.

Scenario 2: Manual closure of your Blocked Account before all of your monthly payouts are complete

If you need to close your Blocked Account before your standard Blocked Account payouts are complete (e.g. visa rejection, you have decided not to come to Germany, you are leaving Germany early to return home), follow these steps:

• Step 1: Inform Expatrio via our contact form (select "Blocked Account Closing").

• Step 2:
  • If there are no funds in your Blocked Account: We will close your Blocked Account without further action required from your end. You will receive an email stating that your account has been closed.
    
    
  • If there are funds in your Blocked Account: Expatrio will start the closing process on your Expatrio User Portal and notify you via email once this process has been initiated. You will need to continue to follow the steps below and provide certain documentation to receive your funds.

Step 3 onwards is only applicable to those who have funds remaining in their Blocked Account.

• Step 3: After receiving the account closure process email:
  • Log in to your Expatrio User Portal 
  • Navigate to the 'Blocked Account' section.
  • Select the 'Close' button.
    
    
• Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions, provide the necessary information, and upload the required documents. More information about these documents can be found here.
  
  
• Step 5: Click 'Send' to submit your closure request.

The Total Blocked Amount in your account, less the fees (see below), will be returned to you.

Fee details for blocked account closure:

• In case of visa rejection:
  • Full refund of all fees, including setup and monthly service fees.
  • Bank and transfer fees may be deducted from the €100 buffer.
• In case of visa application withdrawal or other reasons, such as returning to your home country for personal reasons:
  • Setup fee (€69) and monthly service fees (€5 per full month) are charged.

Bank and transfer fees may be deducted from the €100 buffer.

Service fees are charged for every full month; so if you transferred on 27 May and submitted the closing request on 20th July, the service fee is applicable for one month (27 May to 27 June).

Processing Time: Requests are processed within four weeks of submitting all documents correctly. However, the process may take up to four weeks after your documents have been approved. You’ll receive updates via email.

If you would like to learn what Documents you need to upload, you can click here.