German Blocked Account (GBA)

No, there are no exceptions in opening a blocked account. A blocked account is the only way of proving one’s financial standing. There are many other ways to prove the financial stability, but it is better to check with the German consulate beforehand.

It is extremely important that you exercise caution when you open the bank account. A Blocked account is a proof of financial means provided to the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. Therefore, it is very important for your blocked account to be accredited by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. Be aware that not all accounts are equally accepted by all authorities. Make sure that the provider you choose covers all your needs.

Security and acceptance should have a higher priority over saving a little amount of money on fees because, in the end, you could end up paying higher if things do not go as expected. Blocked accounts based on a fully licensed bank in Germany only provide full deposit protection and comprehensive acceptance. Also, it is very important for the Blocked account holder to understand the cost of funding for the blocked account and for refund if any in case of Visa refusal.

Below is the list of documents required to open a blocked account:

• Address Proof in India
• University Letter
• Recent passport size photo (colour)
• Passport copy (front & back side)
• PAN Card copy

At the moment, the presumed annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa amount to 11,208 euros per year i.e. 934 Euro’s per month. Although, many students often choose to deposit more than the minimum amount required to increase their chances of getting their student visa approved.

Yes, you can. The amount of 11,208 Euro’s is only the minimum amount of money required for you to apply for your student visa. In case you need to deposit more than 11208 Euro’s, you can add maximum up to 1000 Euro’s as “additional basic sum” in your blocked account. It must be noted that the additional amount in “additional basic sum" will be disbursed to your savings in your first disbursement payment.

Unfortunately, you can’t. Even if you’re short on time, the bank cannot proceed faster with your application. Hence, it is always recommended to start your German Blocked account opening procedure as soon as possible.

If your visa application is rejected by the German embassy in your home country, the amount will be refunded.

RemitX strictly adheres to the rules and regulations of the student’s home country - for example, In India it is mandatory that the funds are originated from the students OR from their blood relatives bank account only.

According to German regulations, third-party sponsorships for German blocked accounts are allowed. RemitX also allows third parties to fund a German blocked account in compliance with German regulations. In such cases, RemitX may request additional documents to verify the funding of the blocked account. The funding process is subject to the Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations of the student's home country.

Blocked accounts are regulated by German laws and are opened in a German bank that is incorporated in Germany. Therefore, the German Deposit Guarantee Act applies to them. This Act guarantees deposits of up to €100,000 per depositor for retail clients, partnerships, and corporations.

In Germany, it is required by law to register your residence address or place of stay. The Meldebestätigung confirms that you have registered your address in Germany. You receive this document during your Anmeldung appointment.

You can get a Meldebescheinigung at the local registry office (the “Bürgeramt”, the “Einwohnermeldeamt”, or the “Kreisverwaltungsreferat” if you’re in Munich or KVR or Kundenzentrum depending on the region or city.

Get an appointment at any Bürgeramt for "Meldebescheinigung beantragen” and bring your personal ID, such as a passport, and payment. You can find the nearest registration office by entering your postcode on this website.

Meldebestätigung is often required for opening a bank account (with some exceptions) or obtaining a cell phone contract.

You receive an Anmeldebestätigung when you register your address in Berlin (this is called the Anmeldung). The document will be printed out and given to you during your appointment.

The Anmeldebestätigung confirms that you registered your address on a certain date. The Meldebescheinigung confirms that you are still registered at this address. You only receive the Anmeldebestätigung once, but you can request a Meldebescheinigung anytime you want.

You can register your address in Germany at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). It is recommended that you register your residence address within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. This is because the blocked account requires a copy of the registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) so that you can open and activate your student current bank account and tax number. You can find the location of the closest registration office to your place of stay on this website https://umziehen.de/.

The basic documents required for registering your place of residence are:

Registration form (Anmeldung)

Valid passport

Rental contract (Mietvertrag)

Confirmation of residence from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)

The visa you receive from the German embassy in your home country is called a student visa or entry visa. All international students must convert their student visa into a study residence permit before their student visa expires. You can book an appointment online to apply for a residence permit at the Foreigner Office (Ausländerbehörde) website. On the appointment date, you will need to present all the required documents to the officer, and if everything is satisfactory, your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) will be provided in your passport.

The documents required for residence permit are:

Passport with a valid student visa.

Certificate of statutory health insurance (Versicherungsbescheinigung).

Biometric photograph.

Student ID/certificate of enrollment.

Blocked account amount certificate form no 6.

Registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) from the registration office.

Rental agreement (Mietvertrag) with the landlord.

Application for a residence permit.

The certificate of enrolment is documentary evidence that you are a student studying in Germany. It is also required for submission along with other documents when you visit the local registration office to register your place of stay.

The documents required for enrolment are:

Personal identification card or passport.

Notification of admission.

University entrance qualification: the original or a certified copy with a certified translation in German.

Passport size photograph.

Confirmation of SHI coverage by a public health insurance provider in Germany.

After submitting all the required documents, you will receive a confirmation letter which serves as your temporary student ID. The student card (Student ID) and enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) will be sent to you via post after a few weeks.

Getting biometric photos taken in Germany is simple. There are two easy methods:

At a FotoFix machine: Simply locate a FotoFix machine, insert 6€ in coins, and wait for a few seconds. The machine will print four copies of your passport photo a minute later. These biometric photos are accepted by most German offices that require documents, including visas, driving licenses, and passports.

At the Bürgeramt / Ausländerbehörde: You can also find passport photo kiosks at the Bürgeramt. Find your Bürgeramt or Ausländerbehörde, then look for Fotoautomat on the information page. The machine will print four copies of your passport photo which are accepted by most German offices that require documents, including visas, driving licenses, and passports.

In Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all residents, including students. Most people in Germany have public health insurance, also known as statutory health insurance or Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV). After enrolling with a public insurance company, you will receive an insurance certificate (Versicherungsbescheinigung) which is necessary for the enrollment (Immatrikulation) process at the university.

In statutory health insurance, family members (non-working spouses and children) of the insured person are also insured for free. However, if your spouse is working, she must be insured separately.

Statutory health insurance (SHI) in Germany is based on a solidarity system. This means that the contributions (monthly premium payments) are based on income and not on risk. Statutory health insurance is suitable for everyone and provides the same services to all its members regardless of their contribution (premium). All basic medical necessities are covered.

SHI providers in Germany are required to offer an affordable tariff for students. However, once you switch to private health insurance, it can be challenging to switch back to government health insurance in the future. Many students from India are registered with public health insurance before arriving in Germany.

The health insurance premium is charged to the student on a monthly fee basis. The monthly fee is regularly due to be paid on the 15th of every month for the previous month. Thus, the premium for statutory health insurance is always paid in arrears.