What do I need to bear in mind when opening a blocked account?

• A blocked account can be opened at a bank or similar provider. You are free to choose where to open your account. Usually, you can open a blocked account online. Blocked accounts are offered in Germany and many other countries with varying conditions. We therefore recommend you choose your provider carefully following detailed research. In addition to the amount blocked in the account, you have to pay the requisite banking fees.
• The blocked account must have sufficient credit in order to cover the costs of daily life in Germany (unless other proof of financial support is presented in addition). The amount to be paid into the account varies depending on the purpose of your stay and is based on the maximum rates for support received by German students. You can find out what amount has to be paid in to the blocked account based on the purpose of your stay on the website of the competent mission abroad or in the Consular Services Portal. The blocked account is usually opened for a year, unless your planned stay is shorter.
• Only a certain amount can be withdrawn every month from the blocked account. This is to make sure that the minimum amount for each month is available and that the money that is meant to last for a whole year, for example, cannot be withdrawn right at the start of the stay.
• When you open a blocked account, you need to name an account beneficiary. That is either the mission abroad where you applied for the visa (before the granting and/or use of the visa) or the competent foreigners authority (after arrival in the country). The account beneficiary is not, however, able to withdraw your money.

How do I close a blocked account?

To close the blocked account, the blocking notice has to be lifted. This can only be done with the agreement of the account beneficiary (the mission abroad or the foreigners authority).

If your visa application was rejected, the rejection notice is sufficient to lift the blocking notice.

Otherwise, the mission abroad can issue a consular certificate for the lifting of the blocking notice at your German bank if

1. You have not applied for a visa to enter the country and therefore did not travel to Germany or
2. You applied for a visa but withdrew your application or
3. You applied for and received a visa but did not use it or
4. You applied for and received a visa to enter the country but left the Schengen area before being issued with a residence permit by the foreigners authority.

Please contact the competent mission abroad in your place of residence (point 1) or the mission abroad where you applied for the visa (points 2 to 4).

If you are in Germany, contact the foreigners authority so that the blocking notice can be lifted.