This article will guide you through the 2 types of documents you need to close your Blocked Account including your Sperrfreigabe, and Bank Document if you still have funds in your blocked account.

Depending on your reason for closure, you will need to provide different documents. Please read this section carefully and provide the documents which are applicable to your situation. 

To close your Blocked Account, you will need:

1. Sperrfreigabe (Blocked Account Release Document, Deblock Letter):

• What is it: An official document from the German authorities (e.g., embassy, consulate, or immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)) authorizing the closure of your Blocked Account.
• Why it’s needed: This ensures the funds in your account can be legally released.

You always need to provide a Sperrfreigabe, unless you fall into these circumstances:

• Your most recent 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation has expired.
• You never received your 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation from Expatrio. 
• Your Blocked Account payouts are complete (in this case we will automatically close your Blocked Account).

Important: Simply not applying for a visa or failing to secure a visa appointment does not exempt you from needing a Sperrfreigabe. You will still need to provide a Sperrfreigabe in these cases.

Otherwise, as stated on the Federal Foreign Office website, we will not be able to close your Blocked Account.

" The blocked account may only be closed with the consent of the blocked account beneficiary. The blocked account beneficiary is either the mission abroad or, after entering Germany, the competent foreign authority. A blocking notice, therefore, only ensures that sufficient funds to cover living expenses are always available. It does not entitle the blocked account beneficiary to withdraw money from the blocked account. "- https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/sperrkonto/388600

How to get your Sperrfreigabe

• Contact the Appropriate Authority:
  • German embassy, consulate, or Ausländerbehörde.
• Methods:
  • Depending on your German authority, you may be able to request it via email, phone, or an in-person appointment. We recommend you check their website as some authorities do not accept in-person appointments. 
• Helpful Guide:
  • You can use this document to ask for the Sperrfreigabe from the embassy. Please note that this is not a legal document. It is only intended as a guide when requesting this document from your German visa authority. We cannot guarantee that this document will ensure you receive a Sperrfreigabe document. 

Accepted Documents as Sperrfreigabe

You may submit the following documents as valid proof for closing your Blocked Account:

1. Sperrfreigabe Document:
   • A letter, email, or document from a German embassy, consulate, or foreigners' office stating no objections to releasing your blocked funds.
   • 
2. Visa Rejection Letter:
   • It must be issued by German authorities. Show your full name and passport number.
   • 
3. Visa Application Withdrawal:
   • Must be signed and/or stamped by the German embassy or consulate. Emails are accepted if they display your full name and passport number.
   • Note: This does not include visa appointment cancellations.
4. Border Crossing Certificate (Grenzübertrittsbescheinigung):
   • 
   • Must include proof of exiting Germany, such as:
     • A passport exit stamp (showing your ID and dated after the certificate issuance).
     • A transport ticket (e.g., flight, train, or bus) showing:
       • Your full name.
       • Germany as the starting country and another country as the destination.
5. BA Closing Request with Expired 06 Confirmation (template at bottom of page):
   • Use this if:
     • Your latest 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation has expired.
     • You never activated your Blocked Account.
6. BA Closing Request Without 06 Confirmation (template at bottom of page):
   • Use this if:
     • Funds are present in your Blocked Account.
     • No 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation was ever issued.
7. Receiving the last payout to an outside of SEPA account after your last payout date (template at the bottom of this page):

• Use this if:
  • You have one last payout left but you are about to lose your access to the account that you receive your monthly payouts before last payout date
  • You want to receive the payout to another account that is not SEPA (Single European Payment Area)

Documents Not Accepted as Sperrfreigabe

The following documents will not be accepted:

• Visa (current or expired).
• Exmatriculation certificate (university deregistration).
• Address deregistration form (Abmeldebescheinigung).
• Visa appointment cancellation confirmation.

Important:

A Sperrfreigabe must be less than six months old. If older, you

• must request a new one.
• If you have an expired 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation or no confirmation at all, follow the specific instructions in the template provided at the bottom of this page.

2. Proof of bank details for fund return

Important: Funds can only be returned to someone else’s account only if that account was originally used to transfer funds to your Blocked Account.
Otherwise, we must transfer your funds to a Bank Account in your name.

You can choose one of the following accounts to send your Blocked Account funds to:

• A Bank Account in your name i.e. the same name on the Blocked Account
• The Bank Account from which your Blocked Account funds were originally transferred . 

It must clear that the document is an official document of the bank, which means it should have the logo, name of the bank. This can also be the Bank Account statement, letter from the bank (duly signed and stamped) or passbook copy.

a. If the funds will be sent to your own Bank Account

You will need to provide a Bank Document. This document must:

• Show your full name as the account holder.
• Include your account number/IBAN.
• Be an official document from your bank. Acceptable examples include:
  • Bank statement.
  • Letter from the bank (signed and stamped).
  • Screenshot from your online banking platform (with the bank’s logo and your details clearly visible).

b. If the funds will be sent to someone else’s bank account

You will need to provide proof of original transaction initiation, which serves as proof that:

• The funds in your Blocked Account originally came from this Bank Account 

The proof of original transaction initiation must include:

• Full name of the sender account holder.
• Full IBAN/account number of the sender account holder.
• Full recipient account number (this must match the Blocked Account transfer details).
• Date of the transfer.
• Amount of the transfer.

Additional notes

• For transfers involving third-party accounts, such as a sponsor’s or partner’s, ensure the receipt clearly links the original transfer to the account now requesting the funds.
  
  
• If a transfer provider (e.g., Wise, Instarem) was used, include:
  • The receipt of the transfer from the sender’s account to the provider.
  • The receipt of the transfer from the provider to the Blocked Account.
  • Combine both receipts into a single document before submission.

Providing these documents will ensure the smooth processing of your Blocked Account closure and refund.

Special Cases

a. Transfers from Multiple Accounts

• If funds were sent to your Blocked Account from more than one account (e.g., your account and a sponsor’s account):
  • Provide proof of each transaction (e.g., receipts from both accounts).
  • Combine the documents into one file before submission.

b. Transfers via Providers (e.g., Wise, Instarem)

• Provide:
  1. A receipt of the transfer from the sender’s Bank Account to the provider.
  2. A receipt of the transfer from the provider to your Blocked Account.
• Combine these into one file for submission.

How to Submit Your Documents

1. Log in to Your Expatrio User Portal:
   • Navigate to the “Blocked Account” section.
   • Select “Close Account.”
2. Upload the Required Documents:
   • Include your Sperrfreigabe and the required Bank Document as stated above.
3. Submit Your Request:
   • Follow the instructions and click “Send” to complete the process.
4. The process can take up to 4 weeks to complete after your documents have been approved.

Early Last Payout

• Can I receive my last payout early without providing documents?
  • No. Payouts cannot be made earlier than scheduled without the required documents.
  • However, you can request to cancel the last payout to your connected Bank Account and have it sent to your home country after the last payout date. Please contact us to cancel the last payout before the payout day, and upload the attached form at the end of this article to receive your last payout back after the last payout date.

Processing Time

• Requests are processed within four weeks after submitting all documents correctly. This means the process may take up to 4 weeks after your documents have been approved. You’ll receive updates via email.

*Please note that none of the 06 Blocked Amount Confirmations created before November 2022 have an expiration date, and not all of them have one since either. You have to check your 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation on your Expatrio portal to find out whether it has an expiration date.