International students have a lot of hurdles to clear before they can study abroad in Germany. Not only do they need good grades and an acceptance letter from their university of choice – they also need to ensure they have enough money to finance their studies.

There are several ways you can do this, including getting proof of parental income or a letter from somebody who pledges to cover your costs for the duration of your studies.

That said, many students tend to opt for what’s known as a blocked account. This type of account lets you deposit your savings and withdraw a certain amount per month, ensuring you stay on budget.

This type of account is widely accepted by German authorities as proof of sufficient funds in order to secure a student visa. 

How much do I need to deposit into a blocked account?

According to new information released by Studying-in-Germany.org, people starting university in Germany on or after September 1st, 2024, will need a total of €11,904 per year in their account. This amounts to €992 per month that you’ll be able to withdraw.

If this sounds ridiculously specific, it’s because it’s based on the current BAföG rate, which is Germany’s financial aid programme for students.

If you deposit more than the minimum, you’ll be able to withdraw more each month. 

One thing to be aware of is that certain types of study visas, such as training or apprenticeship visas and language acquisition visas, require 10 percent more than the minimum. 

That adds up to €13,094.40 for the full year and €1,084 per month.

READ ALSO: Germany to increase financial aid for students

How does a blocked account work?

If you’re planning on moving to Germany for your studies, you’ll need to open the blocked account while still in your home country.

There are numerous providers that offer this account, but not all of them are accepted by German authorities.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to opt for one of the following providers:

• Expatrio
• Fintiba
• Coracle
• Studely
• ICICI Bank (India only)

You can find a good summary of the fees and features of each of these accounts on the Studying in Germany blog. To apply, simply fill in an application form and provide proof of your identity, where your money came from and evidence of acceptance into a study programme in Germany.

READ ALSO: How do I get a student visa for Germany and what does it let me do?

It usually takes around a week to receive confirmation of your blocked account, but you won’t be able to start using it straight away. You can only do this after you arrive in Germany and set up an ordinary checking account in the country.

Usually, your German bank account information, Anmeldung (or address registration) and residence permit will be needed to activate your account – so be sure to have some way of accessing money in the meantime until you can get hold of these things.

Once you’ve activated your blocked account, the maximum monthly amount will be transferred into your checking account each month for you to use.

Can I work in Germany during my studies?

Yes – and the good news is that the rules around this have recently been eased up. 

Students from non-EU countries are permitted to work up to 280 half days or 140 full days alongside their studies to help prop up their income.

A half day counts as four hours or work, while a full day would be eight hours.

Alternatively, international students can opt to work up to 20 hours a week during term time. Under the current minimum wage, this gives students the potential to earn around €250 per week – though of course, people earning above minimum wage will earn more. 

READ ALSO: Working hours to visas – The new rules for international students in Germany

During vacation periods, this cap is lifted so that students can take on as many hours as they like (within the limits of German employment law). 

Another key change is that prospective students can now come to Germany and work before they start a university course. 

With the ‘application to study’ visa (Visum zur Studienbewerbung), third-country nationals with adequate German or English skills can come to Germany for up to nine months for the purpose of applying for university and making preparations to study.