All You Need for Your German Visa

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a legally required proof of financial resources for your German visa. Most non-EU nationals need it to demonstrate they can finance their stay in Germany.

A Blocked Account is an officially accepted proof of funds (Nachweis der finanziellen Mittel) for German long-term visa categories. For most applicants (e.g. students, language learners, jobseekers), the German Foreign Office mandates a minimum of XXX/month, which must be deposited before applying for a visa. The money stays locked until your arrival and successful legitimation. Note: Some embassies may request a higher amount.

Most international students and non-EU residents need a blocked account to apply for a German visa — unless you have a full scholarship or are from the EU.

Applicants from non-EU/EEA countries are typically required to open a blocked account for the visa process. This applies to students, au-pairs, interns, jobseekers, and participants in language or foundation courses. Exceptions include individuals with a full scholarship or other sufficient financial proof. Some embassies may ask for higher monthly sums depending on personal circumstances (e.g. dependents, high-cost regions).

You can open your account in minutes via the Fintiba App. All you need is your passport — no German address or bank visit needed.

The account is opened online via Fintiba in cooperation with Sutor Bank, a licensed German bank. After signing up with your passport, Fintiba’s OCR technology verifies your ID instantly (in most countries). Regulatory restrictions may apply for residents from sanctioned regions (e.g. North Korea, Iran, Syria, Crimea). Once opened, you receive bank details to transfer your blocked funds and get your blocking confirmation after the transfer is complete.

Usually within 24 hours after your transfer is complete. With Fintiba Transfer and credit card, it can be instant for eligible users.

After your full blocked amount arrives, Fintiba issues your blocking confirmation (Sperrbestätigung) typically within 24 hours. For eligible countries and profiles, Fintiba Transfer allows immediate confirmation via credit card. Transfer duration varies by method:
- SEPA: 1–2 business days
- SWIFT: 3–10 days
- Credit card: immediate, if available

Note: Instant options are not available for all nationalities due to compliance checks.

Yes. You can open a blocked account for job seeking, language learning, internships, au-pair stays or family reunification.

Fintiba’s blocked account is suitable for many visa types, not just students. These include:
- Job seeker visa
- Family reunification
- Language course visa
- Internships or voluntary service

Note: Visa type and nationality determine which documents and verification steps are required. Make sure to check your local embassy’s requirements.

You must verify your identity in Germany before accessing your money. Fintiba guides you through the process.

Legitimation is required under §12 German Anti-Money Laundering Law (GwG) to confirm that you are the rightful account holder. Based on your country and passport, the Fintiba App offers one or more of these options:
1. Easy Legitimation (Onfido): selfie + passport scan
2. VideoIdent (WebID): live call with an agent
3. PostIdent or Manual Legitimation: required for some countries or where video calls are not permitted

Yes, but you’ll need valid health insurance for your visa. Fintiba Plus includes both blocked account and health coverage.

While you can open only a blocked account, German embassies require proof of adequate health insurance for visa issuance. With Fintiba Plus, you get:
1. Blocking confirmation
2. Health insurance confirmation (public + travel)
3. All documents in one platform

This avoids delays and ensures your coverage is valid from day one.

You can update your blocked amount or duration anytime in your Fintiba account.

Embassies can request:
- Higher monthly amounts (e.g. €1,100/month)
- Longer coverage periods (e.g. 15 months instead of 12)

You can easily top up your account and Fintiba will generate a new blocking confirmation. The document reflects the new total and duration, which can then be used in your visa application.

After uploading your visa and arriving in Germany, you can set up your payouts and access your money directly via the Fintiba App.

Once you’ve received your visa and arrived in Germany, you can access your funds by completing the following steps, all digitally:
1. Upload your visa in the Fintiba App
2. Complete the legitimation process, if not already done
3. Open a German current account (Girokonto) at a bank of your choice
4. Enter your new IBAN in the Fintiba Web-App and set your monthly payout preferences

As soon as legitimation is complete and your payout setup is active, Fintiba transfers your monthly allowance automatically — no manual requests or paperwork needed.

If your visa is rejected or you decide not to travel to Germany, you can apply for a refund of your blocked funds. As soon as you upload your official visa rejection or a blocking release document (Sperrfreigabe), the money will be transferred back immediately.

In case your visa is denied or you no longer plan to travel, you can request a full refund from Fintiba. The process is handled entirely online through the Fintiba App. You will need to provide official proof (e.g. visa rejection letter or cancellation statement) and your refund will be processed back to the originating account or method. Please note that international bank fees or currency fluctuations may apply. The process typically takes 3–7 business days after verification.

You can contact Fintiba directly via the chat in the app, WhatsApp, WeChat, or by visiting our Help Center. Phone and in-person support are also available in selected countries.

Fintiba provides multilingual customer support through various digital and local channels:
- In-app chat: available directly in the Fintiba App for fast and secure communication
- Help Center: support.fintiba.com with articles and a contact form
- WhatsApp: quick mobile support (number available in the app)
- WeChat: for users in China (Fintiba official account)
- Email: initiated via the contact form when needed
- Phone support: available during CET business hours for urgent cases
- Local presence: Personal consultations are possible at the Fintiba head office in Frankfurt, or via partners in India and China upon request. Support hours are Monday to Friday (CET). For fastest processing, include your Fintiba ID and a precise description of your issue.