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Quick Answer / TL;DR
For most international students in 2026, Expatrio is the best choice. It has the lowest fees among active providers (€89 setup + €5/month), includes a free German bank account with the Value Package, and processes confirmations within hours of receiving your funds. Fintiba is worth considering if you need a dedicated mobile app, premium support with phone and WhatsApp access, or if you’re under 18. Coracle used to be the cheapest option (€59 with the Prime package and zero monthly fees), but they’ve been paused since August 2025 and are currently not accepting new applications.
All three providers are approved by the German Federal Foreign Office and accepted by all German embassies worldwide. The required blocked amount in 2026 is €11,904 (€992/month).
Lowest fees among active providers. Includes a free German bank account, health insurance enrollment, and travel insurance with the Value Package. Setup takes under 10 minutes.
Open Expatrio Account → €89 setup + €5/mo · Free bank account included · Visa rejection = full refundWhat Is a Blocked Account?
A blocked account, or Sperrkonto in German, is a special bank account required by German immigration law. It proves to the German authorities that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. You deposit the full year’s amount upfront. The money stays “blocked” until you arrive in Germany, after which €992 is released to your regular bank account every month.
Without a blocking confirmation document (Sperrbescheinigung), your visa application will almost certainly be rejected. This applies to student visas, language course visas, the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), au pair visas, and vocational training visas. The requirement comes from the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), and the specific amount is set by the Federal Foreign Office based on the BAföG rate.
- International students from non-EU/non-EEA countries applying for a student visa
- Language course participants requiring a national visa (Type D)
- Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) applicants: higher amount of €13,092 (€1,091/month)
- Au pairs and vocational trainees (amount may vary)
- Job seekers needing proof of financial means
2026 Amount Requirement
The standard blocked account amount for 2026 is €11,904 per year, which works out to €992 per month. This figure is based on the maximum BAföG rate (Germany’s federal student financial aid benchmark) and represents what the government considers the minimum monthly living cost for a student.
Keep in mind that some embassies or consulates may request additional amounts on top of the standard figure, for example to cover tuition fees. Always confirm the exact amount with the German embassy or consulate handling your visa application before you transfer.
Source: The blocked amount is defined by the German Federal Foreign Office and aligned with §2 Abs. 3 of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act). You can verify the current amount on Make it in Germany, the official federal government portal.
Provider Comparison
When we first set up ExpatNav’s blocked account comparison tool, we signed up for accounts with each provider, tested the full application flow, tracked how long each step took, and collected community reviews from verified users. Here’s the complete feature comparison based on that research.
| Feature | Expatrio Our Pick | Fintiba | Coracle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | ✅ Accepting | ✅ Accepting | ❌ Paused since Aug 2025 |
| Setup Fee | €89 | €159 | €99 (€59 Prime) |
| Monthly Fee | €5/mo | €9.90/mo | €0 (free!) |
| Buffer Deposit | €100 (refundable) | €100 (refundable) | €80 (refundable) |
| Year 1 Total Fees | €149 | €277.80 | €99 |
| Bank Partner | Deutsche Handelsbank | Sutor Bank (Hamburg) | Lemonway → Postbank/DKB |
| Banking Model | Direct (German IBAN) | Direct (German IBAN) | Escrow (funds held in trust) |
| App/Platform | Web portal | Dedicated mobile app | Web dashboard |
| US Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (FATCA) | ✅ Yes |
| Minors (Under 18) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Free Bank Account | ✅ Yes (Value Package) | ❌ No (open separately) | ❌ No (open separately) |
| Health Insurance | TK (public) or private | DAK/BARMER or MAWISTA | TK, BARMER, AOK (Prime) |
| Travel Insurance | Free with Value Package | Free with Fintiba Plus (€95 value) | Free with Prime package |
| Scholarship | Yes (Expatrio Scholarship) | Yes (up to €12,000/year) | No |
| Support Channels | Email, portal, YouTube | In-app chat, WhatsApp, WeChat, phone, Frankfurt office | Email, phone, WhatsApp |
| Trustpilot / Google | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 / 4.8/5 | 4.9/5 / 4.9/5 |
⚠️ Important update on Coracle: As of August 2025, Coracle has paused all new blocked account applications while they upgrade their banking infrastructure. They have not announced a reopening date. Several students have reported issues with fund transfers and document availability during this transition, with some facing visa deadline pressure. If you need a blocked account now, stick with Expatrio or Fintiba. If you already have a Coracle account, your funds are reportedly safe, but extensions are currently unavailable. Check Coracle’s Help Center for updates.
Full Fee Breakdown
Provider fees are separate from the blocked amount itself. Think of it this way: you’re paying the provider for the service of opening and managing a special regulated bank account on your behalf. The blocked amount (€11,904) goes into the account and gets released to you monthly. The fees are what the provider charges for their service.
The setup fee is charged after at least €100 arrives in your account. Monthly fees start one month after the first deposit. With the Value Package, you also get health insurance enrollment, free travel insurance, and a free connected bank account. If your visa is rejected, Expatrio refunds all fees including setup and monthly charges.
Fintiba updated their pricing on November 3, 2025. The previous fees were €89 setup + €4.90/month. If you pay via credit card through Fintiba Transfer, you get an instant blocking confirmation with zero waiting time for fund transfers. Fintiba also allows opening accounts for up to 24 months at once, which avoids the extension fee for year two. With Fintiba Plus, you get travel insurance worth €95 and health insurance enrollment included.
Coracle was the most affordable option with zero monthly fees. Their Prime package for university students bundled the blocked account, health insurance enrollment, and free travel insurance for just €59. The catch? They operate through Lemonway (a French payment service provider) rather than a direct German bank. Since August 2025, they’ve paused new applications while upgrading their banking infrastructure. No reopening date has been announced. We recommend checking their website periodically, but do not wait for Coracle if you have a visa deadline approaching.
Cost Calculator
Adjust the duration and see exactly what you’ll pay each provider.
Tip: If you’re staying longer than 12 months, Coracle’s zero monthly fee structure (if they reopen) saves you the most money long-term. Among active providers, Expatrio’s €5/month adds up slower than Fintiba’s €9.90/month — the gap widens with every month.
How to Open Each One
When we tested the application process for our comparison tool, we timed every step. The actual account opening is fast with both Expatrio and Fintiba (minutes, not days). The part that takes time is transferring the funds, which depends on your bank and country, not the provider.
Processing Times
How fast can you actually get your blocking confirmation?
| Step | Expatrio | Fintiba |
|---|---|---|
| Account opening | Minutes | Minutes |
| Identity verification | Automatic (passport scan) | Automatic + video legitimation (some countries) |
| Fund transfer (international) | 1–5 business days | 1–5 business days |
| Fund transfer (credit card) | N/A | Instant (via Fintiba Transfer) |
| Blocking confirmation | Instant after funds arrive | Instant after funds arrive |
| Total (fastest path) | 1–2 days | Same day (credit card) |
| Total (typical path) | 3–7 days | 3–7 days |
The biggest variable is how long your international bank transfer takes. That depends on your home country’s banking system and intermediary banks, not the provider. If speed is critical because your visa appointment is close, Fintiba’s credit card option through Fintiba Transfer gives you the fastest possible confirmation. With Expatrio, using their Flywire integration for local currency transfers can also speed things up compared to standard SWIFT transfers.
Which One Fits You?
The “best” provider depends on your specific situation. Your nationality, age, budget, and how quickly you need the confirmation all factor in. After helping thousands of users through our eligibility filter on ExpatNav, we’ve found that the right choice isn’t always the cheapest one.
Our recommendation by situation
Not sure which provider accepts your nationality and visa type? ExpatNav’s eligibility filter shows you instantly which providers work for your specific situation. No guesswork, no wasted applications.
Join 100,000+ international students who chose Expatrio. You’ll get your blocking confirmation as soon as your funds arrive — most students have it within 3–5 days.
Open Expatrio Account → Visa rejected? Full refund on all fees, guaranteed.Common Mistakes
We see these errors constantly from students on our platform. Don’t repeat them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need for a blocked account in Germany in 2026?
The standard requirement is €11,904 per year (€992 per month) for student visas. For the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), the requirement is higher at €13,092 (€1,091/month). On top of this, you’ll need to cover provider fees (€89–€159 setup depending on provider) and a buffer deposit (€80–€100, refundable). So budget between €12,083 and €12,282 total depending on which provider you choose.
Which blocked account provider is the cheapest in 2026?
Among active providers, Expatrio is the cheapest at €149 in total fees for the first year (€89 setup + €60 in monthly fees). Fintiba costs €277.80 (€159 setup + €118.80 in monthly fees). Coracle would be cheapest at €99 with zero monthly fees (or €59 with their Prime package), but they’re not currently accepting new applications.
Can I open a blocked account if I’m a US citizen?
Yes, but your options are limited. Expatrio accepts US citizens. Fintiba does not accept US tax residents due to FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) requirements. Coracle accepts US citizens but is currently paused. Expatrio is your best active option.
How long does it take to get the blocking confirmation?
The account opening itself takes minutes with both Expatrio and Fintiba. The bottleneck is transferring the funds. International bank transfers typically take 1–5 business days. Once the money arrives, the blocking confirmation (Sperrbescheinigung) is generated instantly. If you need it urgently, Fintiba lets you pay via credit card through Fintiba Transfer for same-day confirmation.
What happens to my money if my visa is rejected?
All three providers refund your blocked amount if your visa is rejected. Expatrio goes further by also refunding all fees (setup and monthly) upon visa rejection. You’ll need to submit your official visa rejection letter and request account closure through the provider’s portal. The refund typically takes 2–4 weeks to process.
Do I need a German address to open a blocked account?
No. You can open a blocked account from anywhere in the world. That’s the whole point of digital providers like Expatrio and Fintiba. You only need a valid passport. You don’t need a German address, university enrollment confirmation, or any other German documents to open the account.
Can I open a blocked account for more than 12 months?
Yes. Fintiba allows you to open a blocked account for up to 24 months at once, which avoids the extension fee after year one. With Expatrio and Coracle, the standard duration is 12 months, after which you extend (and pay the extension fee). If you’re doing a 2-year Master’s program, Fintiba’s 24-month option can save you money despite the higher monthly fees.
Is my blocked account money safe? Can the provider go bankrupt?
With Expatrio, your funds are held at Deutsche Handelsbank, a German bank covered by Germany’s statutory deposit insurance (up to €100,000). With Fintiba, funds are held at Sutor Bank in Hamburg, also covered by German deposit insurance. Coracle operates through Lemonway, a French-regulated payment institution, with funds held at Deutsche Postbank or DKB, covered by French deposit insurance up to €100,000. In all cases, the blocked amount is in a regulated bank account, not held by the provider itself.
Bottom Line
Opening a blocked account is one of those bureaucratic steps that feels overwhelming until you actually do it. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes of your time (plus a few days waiting for your bank transfer to land). For most students in 2026, Expatrio offers the best combination of low fees, a free connected bank account, and reliable processing. If you value a polished app experience, need instant confirmation via credit card, or you’re under 18, Fintiba is worth the premium. And keep an eye on Coracle. If they reopen with their old pricing structure, they’ll be hard to beat on cost.
Not sure which provider accepts your nationality and visa type? ExpatNav’s eligibility filter shows you instantly which providers work for your specific situation. No guesswork, no wasted applications.
Transparency note: ExpatNav may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. This never affects our rankings or recommendations. We include providers regardless of affiliate relationships, and our comparison methodology is published on our methodology page.
This article was last updated and verified on April 9, 2026. Provider pricing and features may change. Always confirm current pricing on each provider’s official website before transferring funds.
Sources: Expatrio · Fintiba · Coracle · Make it in Germany · Aufenthaltsgesetz
