Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Germany: A 2026 Guide for Sri Lankan Students

If you are applying for a German student visa from Sri Lanka, a blocked account — in German, a Sperrkonto — is almost always mandatory. It is the way the German embassy checks that you can support yourself for your first year without working illegally. This guide covers the 2026 amount, the providers that accept Sri Lankan applicants, the real costs, and how the money is released to you after you land.

What is a blocked account, and why do you need one?

A blocked account is a special German bank account you open before your visa interview. You deposit a full year of living costs into it, and the money is "blocked" — you cannot take it all out at once. After you arrive in Germany, the bank releases a fixed amount to you each month to cover rent, food, and daily life. It exists to prove financial means for your visa; it is not a fee you lose.

How much do you need in 2026?

For 2026 the required blocked amount for a student visa is €11,904 for the year, which works out to €992 per month. This figure is set by the German government and is reviewed each year. Your all-in first-year budget, though, is usually higher once provider fees, insurance, flights and your first rent are added — and it changes with the exchange rate and your chosen city.

LKR figures are approximate and move with the exchange rate — treat them as a planning guide, not a quote. The blocked amount is refundable to you in Germany; the visa fee and insurance are genuine costs.

How to open a blocked account from Sri Lanka

Several providers are set up for international students and accept Sri Lankan applicants online, without you visiting Germany. The usual flow is the same whichever you choose.

1. 1Choose a provider that is recognised by the German embassy (commonly used ones include Fintiba, Expatrio, and Coracle).
2. 2Register online and upload your passport and university admission or application documents.
3. 3Receive your blocked-account details (IBAN) and a blocking confirmation.
4. 4Transfer the full year amount from Sri Lanka into the account (see the money-transfer guide for the cheapest way).
5. 5Download the final blocking confirmation and include it in your visa file.

How the money is released after you arrive

Once you are in Germany and have opened a normal local current account (a Girokonto), you link it to your blocked account. From then on the blocked account automatically releases your monthly allowance — around €992 — into your local account. You use that for rent and living costs. You cannot withdraw more than the monthly limit, which is the whole point of the arrangement.

How Euro Vision helps

We walk you through choosing a provider, opening the account correctly the first time, and timing your transfer so your blocking confirmation is ready before your visa appointment. Getting this step wrong is one of the most common causes of visa delays, and it is completely avoidable with the right guidance.