Blocked Account Comparison
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) holds your €11,904/year of proof-of-funds for the visa. Pick the provider that fits your budget and timeline.
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| Provider | Setup | Monthly | Opening time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expatrio | €49 (one-off, refundable on activation) | Free | 1–3 business days |
| Fintiba | €89 (one-off) | €4.90 | 1–2 business days |
| Coracle | €99 (one-off) | €5.90 | 2–5 business days |
| Deutsche Bank | €150 (one-off) | Free | 2–6 weeks |
| ICICI Bank (Germany) | Often free (one-off) | Free | 1–3 weeks |
Expatrio
Berlin-based fintech designed for international students — quick, English-friendly, popular bundle option.
Setup
€49 (one-off, refundable on activation)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
1–3 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- All-English process
- Health insurance bundle available
- Fastest setup
Watch out for
- !Bundle can feel like upsell
- !Customer service quality varies
Offers a 'Value Package' bundling blocked account + health insurance + bank account.
Fintiba
One of Germany's longest-running blocked-account fintechs, very widely used by international students.
Setup
€89 (one-off)
Monthly
€4.90
Opening time
1–2 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- Established and trusted
- Strong English support
- Available in many countries
Watch out for
- !Higher monthly fee
- !Bundle locks you in for longer
Also offers health insurance and account in one 'Plus' bundle.
Coracle
A no-frills blocked account that often appears alongside Fintiba and Expatrio in embassy lists.
Setup
€99 (one-off)
Monthly
€5.90
Opening time
2–5 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- Simple, no-frills product
- English support
- Solid for one-off blocked account use
Watch out for
- !Pricier monthly fee
- !Smaller user community
Optional add-on health insurance.
Deutsche Bank
The traditional, well-known choice — reliable but much slower than the fintech options.
Setup
€150 (one-off)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
2–6 weeks
Languages
English (limited), German
Pros
- Recognised everywhere
- Full bank account on arrival
- No monthly fees
Watch out for
- !Slow paper-based onboarding
- !Branch visit usually needed in Germany
- !Not great if you need fast visa turnaround
Traditional bank — separate health insurance required.
ICICI Bank (Germany)
Indian-bank-run option in Germany — popular among Indian and South-Asian students because of home-country support.
Setup
Often free (one-off)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
1–3 weeks
Languages
English, Hindi
Pros
- Free setup and monthly
- Convenient if you already bank with ICICI in India
- Hindi support
Watch out for
- !Smaller acceptance among embassies (check yours)
- !More documentation if you don't already have ICICI India account
Popular with Indian students — funds transferred from ICICI India branches.