How is the Total Blocked Amount calculated?

The Total Blocked Amount consists of different parts. In the following, we will break it down for you:

• Duration of stay in months: The time frame you need your blocked account. This will be multiplied with the monthly blocked amount, and the result will be your total blocked amount. Authorities usually ask this duration to cover your visa duration. We always recommend you to contact the authority handling your visa application to learn the exact details of the Blocked Account they request from you!
• Monthly Blocked Amount: the amount you need to block for each month of stay in Germany. As of Sep 2024, university students' standard monthly blocked amount is €992 per month. Please note: the authorities might ask you for a different amount based on the details of your visa application. When you open the blocked account, you will see €992 as the default amount; however, you can always click on that and change the amount. (The maximum amount you can choose during the blocked account application is €1868).
• Additional Basic Sum: This is usually not applicable. If you need to deposit an Additional Basic Sum, the authority handling your visa request will let you know. 
• Account buffer: €100 used to cover unforeseeable banking charges and exchange rate fluctuations (this is to make sure the required Blocked Amount arrives in your blocked account. Unless the full amount arrives, we will not be able to issue the 06 Blocked Amount Confirmation for your visa appointment.
• Initial Set-up fee: From 1st August 2025, CET 00:00 onwards, the set-up fee is €89.This set-up fee is charged after some funds (at least €100) are transferred to your blocked account. 
  (The set-up fee is € 69 only if you opened your Blocked Account before 1 August; and the cashback campaign is only available for customers who applied for value package before August 1,2025. ) 
• Monthly service fee: €5 per month. This fee applies when your blocked account is opened, but we charge only one month after some funds arrive to your Blocked Account (at least €100). We will use your buffer for the months on top of your blocking period.

The Monthly Blocked Amount

The Monthly Blocked Amount is the minimum amount of money you need to cover your living expenses while living in Germany, as stipulated by the German Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz ("BAföG"). As of September 2024, the standard monthly blocked amount required by the German Federal Foreign Office is €992 per month, but this amount varies based on the details of your visa/residence permit application.

Your local embassy, consulate, or foreign office will communicate the exact amount you need for your blocked account individually!

The Additional Basic Sum

The Additional Basic Sum is an additional amount to be paid into your blocked account upon request by your local consulate or embassy. If the consulate or embassy has made no such request, please do not enter an Additional Basic Sum while applying for a Blocked Account. If you are required to enter an Additional Basic Sum, which is usually for adding your university tuition fees to your blocked account, it will serve as security during your stay in Germany. Please note that this amount remains blocked and cannot be paid out during your stay in Germany, but will be refunded in full at the end of your stay or with your university tuition fee request letter. 

To learn more about adding an amount on top of your blocked account, please read this article! 

When does charging the monthly Blocked Account fee (€5) start?

You will be charged €5 per month, only one month after some funds arrive in your Blocked Account (at least €100). We will use your buffer for the months on top of your blocking period. This fee will continue as long as your Blocked Account is open.

The Set-up fee is charged once some funds arrive in your blocked account. 

Tip: Get the Expatrio Value Package to receive the full cashback for your set-up fee! (Please note that the set-up fee will be €89 from August on, and there won't be any cashback campaign.)

If your visa is rejected, don’t worry—we will refund all your funds according to our fair use policy.