Firstly, when I talk about the Blocked Account, there get some general queries in your mind like what is a ‘Blocked Account’ (Sperrkonto) and why should I open it etc.?

Let me explain about it in brief. Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is required for financing your studies and living costs in Germany. When you want to study in Germany, you will need money to cover your costs of living. This will include your fixed costs like rent or University administration fees, but also the costs for your every day living (like food, clothes etc.)

In order to enter Germany, students from India need a valid visa. One of the requirements to obtain a visa is that the student can cover his or her costs of living while studying. There are different ways to prove this and the most common one among students is the so called blocked account.

* This document is mandatory while you apply for the VISA at VFS Global Office.

To open an account in Deutsche Bank, Germany, there are two choices or ways that you can open an account.

  1. Through German Consulate  [Time Consuming process] (or)
  2. Directly through Deutsche Bank [Easy process, recommended].

Steps to follow for Choice ‘1’:

1. To open an account through German Consulate (GC), firstly, you need to book an appointment by sending an E-mail to your local German Consulate for getting the required documents attested.
2. Then in the mean time you need to get the ‘Bank’s Application Form’ [Can get it from the Deutsche bank’s website. Click here] and a xerox copy of your original passport.
3. Now fill in the application form [Caution: Don’t write the place, date and signature. It needs to be filled at GC.) [General queries will be answered in FAQ’s. Please check below].
4. On the day of appointment, go to the respective German Consulate with

  • Duly filled in Bank’s Application Form.
  • Passport Xerox Copy & Original.
  • Pancard (original).
  • 2 passport size photos.
  • Admission letter from university (not mandatory).
  • Money( 30€ in rupees. Subject to current day’s exchange rate). Check in rupees here.
  • Appointment mail copy which you got reply about date confirmation.

5. Once the documents get attested, courier them to the address on the Deutsche Bank’s application form.
6. With in few days, you will get a mail from the Deutsche Bank with the details like Bank Account number etc. so that you can transfer your money to your account.

* Here you need to pay all the fees like Attestation fees, Courier charges, travelling expenses (in case if the German consulate is not in your city) etc.

Steps to follow for Choice ‘2’: 

It’s very easy and recommended process as you can save fees, courier charges and travelling expenses (in case if the Deutsche Bank is not in your city). Very simple steps to follow. Read below

  1. Visit the nearest Deutsche Bank branch, you can visit any branch in India for that matter.
  2. Tell them that you want to open the German Student Blocked Account, they will explain you the complete procedure.
  3. You will first have to open a Savings Bank Account with the Deutsche Bank India (which is extra amount that you need to afford) , which has a minimum balance requirement of INR 100,000.  Note that every Deutsche Bank branch in India has different schemes to open an savings account at them. Once you approach them, they will explain you in detail.
  4. Take all the documents mentioned  above in the CHOICE ‘1’ along with 1 lakh Cheque and then they will take care of you in helping for the rest of the procedure.
  5. Once you get the mail from the Deutsche Bank, Germany, you can transfer the amount to your account.

Pay Attention: If you are processing through Deutsche Bank i.e.; ‘Choice 2’ then I suggest that you can ask your doubts (if any) directly to the respective Person in the Bank. Thank you!

FAQ’s:

1. How can I book an appointment for to get my documents attested?

A: If you are going through German Consulate then just send an E-mail to the local German Consulate with the subject, “opening a blocked account” and write your name and contact in mail’s body. You get reply within a day.

2. Where can I get the respective Bank’s Application Form?

A:  You can find them in Deutsche Bank’s website. Click here.

3. Do I need to sign in the Application Form as I fill other details?

A: No. Don’t fill the Date, Place and Signature columns. You need to fill and sign at German Consulate.

4. I am not understanding what to fill at certain sections of the application form. Can you help me?

A: Yes sure. I am attaching a sample filled in Application Form. Download here sample-db-acc.

5. Can I transfer any extra amount to my blocked account?

A: Yes. Put 50€ extra i.e.; total of 8090 Euros while transferring the amount as it will be deducted by Deutsche Bank, Germany as processing fees. If you put more no harm but it will be useless as that amount will be just blocked and will carry no interest.

6. Through which bank I can transfer the money to my blocked account?

A: Any nationalized bank (of course you need to pay for processing and transferring fees) like SBI, Deutsche Bank etc.

7. What’s the difference between opening a blocked account  through German Consulate and directly through Deutsche Bank?

A: No difference. Difference lies in procedure that’s it. When you go through German Consulate it is time consuming as you need to take appointment and pay all the other charges like Attestation fees, Courier charges, traveling expenses etc. where as you can avoid these when you open through Deutsche Bank directly and the process will be easier. But here you need to open a savings account at them of 1,00,000 rupees.

For more information on blocked account and VISA process, go to: http://www.india.diplo.de/