Blocked Account Comparison
A blocked account (Sperrkonto) holds your âŦ11,904/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 | âŦ49 (one-off, refundable on activation) | Free | 1â3 business days |
| Fintiba | âŦ89 (one-off) | âŦ4.90 | 1â2 business days |
| Coracle | âŦ99 (one-off) | âŦ5.90 | 2â5 business days |
| Deutsche Bank | âŦ150 (one-off) | Free | 2â6 weeks |
| ICICI Bank (Germany) | Often free (one-off) | Free | 1â3 weeks |
Expatrio
Berlin-based fintech designed for international students â quick, English-friendly, popular bundle option.
Setup
âŦ49 (one-off, refundable on activation)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
1â3 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- âAll-English process
- âHealth insurance bundle available
- âFastest setup
Watch out for
- !Bundle can feel like upsell
- !Customer service quality varies
đĄ 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
âŦ89 (one-off)
Monthly
âŦ4.90
Opening time
1â2 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- âEstablished and trusted
- âStrong English support
- âAvailable in many countries
Watch out for
- !Higher monthly fee
- !Bundle locks you in for longer
đĄ 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
âŦ99 (one-off)
Monthly
âŦ5.90
Opening time
2â5 business days
Languages
English, German
Pros
- âSimple, no-frills product
- âEnglish support
- âSolid for one-off blocked account use
Watch out for
- !Pricier monthly fee
- !Smaller user community
đĄ Optional add-on health insurance.
Deutsche Bank
The traditional, well-known choice â reliable but much slower than the fintech options.
Setup
âŦ150 (one-off)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
2â6 weeks
Languages
English (limited), German
Pros
- âRecognised everywhere
- âFull bank account on arrival
- âNo monthly fees
Watch out for
- !Slow paper-based onboarding
- !Branch visit usually needed in Germany
- !Not great if you need fast visa turnaround
đĄ Traditional bank â separate health insurance required.
ICICI Bank (Germany)
Indian-bank-run option in Germany â popular among Indian and South-Asian students because of home-country support.
Setup
Often free (one-off)
Monthly
Free
Opening time
1â3 weeks
Languages
English, Hindi
Pros
- âFree setup and monthly
- âConvenient if you already bank with ICICI in India
- âHindi support
Watch out for
- !Smaller acceptance among embassies (check yours)
- !More documentation if you don't already have ICICI India account
đĄ Popular with Indian students â funds transferred from ICICI India branches.