Cost of a blocked account from India (in INR)
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is not a fee — it is your own money, parked to prove you can support yourself, then released to you in monthly instalments after you arrive. The only real cost is the provider's setup and monthly service fee. Budget the deposit as savings you get back, not as spending.
The short answer
≈ ₹1,104,276–₹1,120,744
€12,003–€12,182 · a blocked account from India
- Refundable (yours)
- ₹1,095,168
- Actually spent
- ₹9,108–₹25,576
Local amounts convert € at approximate rates and move daily — planning estimates, not quotes.
Line by line
What a blocked account actually costs
Every figure in euros and INR. Rows marked refundable are your own money (the blocked account), released back to you monthly after you arrive.
| Item | Euros (€) | In INR |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked deposit (student, 1 year) RefundableReleased to you monthly once you are in Germany — your own money. | €11,904 | ₹1,095,168 |
| Provider service fees (first year)Setup + 12× monthly across Coracle, Expatrio and Fintiba. | €99–€278 | ₹9,108–₹25,576 |
| Total to arrange | €12,003–€12,182 | ₹1,104,276–₹1,120,744 |
Refundable
₹1,095,168
€11,904
Your own money — the blocked account, released back to you monthly.
Sunk (spent)
₹9,108–₹25,576
€99–€278
Fees and costs you actually pay and don't get back.
Total to arrange
₹1,104,276–₹1,120,744
€12,003–€12,182
Money you must have available up front.
Read this before you budget
The deposit is 'refundable' in the sense that it is your money — released in monthly instalments once you are in Germany, not returned as a lump sum. Only the provider service fee is truly spent, and it varies by how long you keep the account open.
From India, specifically
- Your file is processed via the German mission (New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata (VFS / consulates)).
- Visa processing typically runs about 6–12 weeks once submitted.
- Documents go through APS India certification (for university) or standard attestation.
These figures move. Fees, the blocked-account minimum and exchange rates all shift. Numbers were verified 2026-07-20 against official sources; the INR amounts convert euros at approximate rates. Always confirm the current amount with the embassy and your provider before transferring money.
Answered honestly
A blocked account from India
Still unsure about your budget? Ask us directly — we reply within 24 hours.
The deposit for a student visa is about €11,904 for the first year — but that is your own money, not a fee, and it is released to you monthly after you arrive. The only real cost is the provider's charge: roughly €99–278 in the first year depending on whether you use Coracle, Expatrio or Fintiba.
It is your money throughout — not a payment to anyone. Once you arrive and activate the account, it releases a set amount to you each month to live on. So rather than being 'refunded', it is simply paid back to you in instalments. Only the provider's setup and monthly service fees are actually spent.
Costs vary by setup fee and monthly charge, and across common providers the first-year service cost ranges from roughly €99 to €278. The cheapest option depends on how long you keep the account open — some charge a higher setup but no monthly fee, others a low setup plus a monthly fee. Always compare current rates.
German authorities require proof that you can cover your living costs for a year without working full-time. A blocked account is the standard way to show this: the money is locked and released to you in monthly instalments. It protects you as much as them — it guarantees you have funds to live on while you study.
Converted at current rates, a blocked account works out to roughly ₹1,104,276–₹1,120,744 (€12,003–€12,182) for someone applying from India, of which about ₹1,095,168 is a refundable blocked-account deposit you get back monthly. Exchange rates move, so treat the INR figure as a planning estimate and confirm before you transfer money.
Once your file is submitted, processing at the German mission (New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata (VFS / consulates)) typically takes about 6–12 weeks. Getting an appointment is usually the bigger wait, so budget your money early and apply the moment a slot opens. Have your APS India certification (for university) or standard attestation ready before you book.
- Subsistence / blocked-account minimum (BAföG-linked) — German Federal Ministry of Education (BMBF) (official)
- Visas for Germany — German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) (official)
- Make it in Germany — official government portal — German Federal Government (BMAS / BMWK) (official)
- German Missions in India — visa information — German Federal Foreign Office (official)
Figures are checked against these sources and reviewed each application intake. Last verified: 2026-07-20. Always confirm the current rule for your case with the official source before you act.
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