Can I Study in Germany Without Blocked Account?

Can I Study in Germany Without Blocked Account? Dreaming of studying in Germany but dreading the blocked account requirements? You’re not alone. For international students from non-EU countries, a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is usually a mandatory step to prove financial stability. This involves depositing a substantial sum (around EUR 11,904) and withdrawing a fixed monthly allowance. While this system ensures financial security, it can be a significant hurdle for some. Is a blocked account the only way to finance your German education? In this blog, we’ll explore alternative options, discuss countries that don’t require a blocked account, and help you navigate this crucial aspect of your study abroad journey.

Can I Study in Germany Without Blocked Account?

The answer to this question is — YES. A student can study in Germany without blocked account, However, this is only possible if they meet certain criteria. But to see if you need a blocked account to study in Germany you must know the purpose of your visit and whether you will fall under the German study visa or German resident permit category.

When applying for a blocked account, the student must look at the three categories in which they could be a part.

1. Students who neither require a German student visa NOR a German student residence permit. This category typically includes students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. They generally have the freedom of movement within the Schengen Area and may not need specific visas or residence permits.

2. Students who do not need a German student visa BUT need a German student residence permit. This could apply to certain nationalities who are visa-exempt for short-term stays but require a residence permit for longer studies.

3. Students who need both a German student visa AND a German student residence permit. This is the most common scenario for international students from countries outside the EU/EEA. 

Based on the above categories, you must see where you fall and if you need a blocked account or not.

Also Read: Student Life in Germany

Blocked Account Germany Exceptions

There are several expectations for the requirement of opening a blocked account to study in Germany, these include:

1. You have a scholarship from a German educational institution.
2. You are a citizen of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland 
3. You have government confirmation for funding or an approved student loan in Germany 
4. You have proof of sponsorship from a friend or relative living in Germany 
5. You have a bank guarantee from a German financial institution 
6. You have a Declaration of Commitment from a German resident 

In case you do not match any of the requirements above, the blocked account becomes a mandatory prerequisite for the visa to study in Germany. 

Also Read: Germany Admission Process

How to Study In Germany Without a Blocked Account?

As an Indian student, you might not fall into the above exceptions but you can still study in Germany without blocked account if you meet any one of the following criteria. Here are some of the Germany-blocked account alternatives which one can look at.

Scholarships

If you are going to study in Germany with the help of a scholarship from a recognised institution or government body, such as the DAAD scholarship(German Academic Exchange Service), you will be able to demonstrate sufficient funds through this support.

Take a look at some of the top scholarships in Germany for Indian students which will provide them with financial to pursue their education further. 

Scholarship Name	Description
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)	One of the most prominent international student scholarship programs is this one. It provides a range of scholarships that pay for living expenses, health insurance, and tuition.
Erasmus+	Funding for student exchange programs, including those to Germany, is provided by this EU program.
Heinrich Boll Scholarship	Approximately 1,500 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students of all fields and nationalities get scholarships from the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
Goethe Goes Global Scholarships	To explore a wide variety of Master’s degree programs and specialisations at Goethe Goes University Frankfurt is provided by the Goethe Goes Global Scholarships.
Government Scholarships	There are several scholarships which are offered by the Indian government for studying abroad in Germany which students can avail of.

Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung)

This piece of document also known as the letter of commitment can be issued by a relative or a friend who is residing in Germany and on behalf of you agrees to support you financially during your stay for studies. The declaration must state that they will cover your living costs and must be obtained from an Alien’s Registration Office in Germany. The costs covered under this declaration will include food, clothing, medical treatment, accommodations and others. Make sure that the document should not be older than 6 months. After its processing, the letter can be valid for a maximum of 5 years. Usually, the document is valid for the duration of your studies (i.e. for 1.5-3 years).

How to Get a Declaration of Commitment?

1. Begin by finding a relative or a friend in Germany who is willing to support you financially. 
2. He/She will then have to visit Allen’s Registration Office in Germany to obtain this document.
3. Finally, this declaration will be included with your visa application form as proof of financial support.

Cost of the Letter of Commitment for German Student Visa: This cost will be paid by the person who has to pay as your future sponsor. The fee for the Letter of Sponsor is EUR 29 which can be paid by cash or debit card. This money will not be reimbursed if your student visa application has been rejected once.

Let us look at some of the pros and cons of having a letter of commitment or declaration of commitment from a student.

Letter of Commitment: Pros and Cons
Pros	Cons
The student won’t have to submit EUR 11,904 for an entire year.	Only a select handful can use it. Specifically, the majority of prospective students in Germany lack someone capable of handling such a duty.
Less bureaucracy on your side.	Your possible sponsor needs to fulfil specific requirements, such as salary. If not, the formal obligation application will be denied.
	It allows German authorities more “manoeuvre” to deny this document as evidence of funding than the Blocked Account.
	Your sponsor must complete laborious administrative processes with the Foreigner’s Office.

The Declaration of Commitment will stop working on several occasions, these include:

• The document has expired
• You left Germany
• You changed the purpose of your stay. (If you convert your study visa in Germany to a job visa in Germany.)

Government Sponsorship

If you are one of those students whose study program is fully sponsored by a government agency or organisation, you can present this as proof of financial support when applying for your visa.

To get a government sponsorship to study in Germany, the candidate will first have to research government-sponsored programs available for international students. They must then follow specific guidelines provided by the sponsoring agency. Make sure you have all the required documents upon the scholarship confirmation. 

Institutional Support

Several educational institutions provide students with accommodation, food or even travel allowance. If you have any proof confirming the same, you won’t have to open a blocked account in Germany.

To get institutional support, make sure you reach out to your university’s international office to enquire about it. Request for official documentation confirming the allowances. Make sure you attach this documentation when applying for your student visa.

Student Loans

Proof of money may also be provided by an authorised student loan that covers your living expenses and is issued by a reputable financial institution.

Parental Income

All students moving abroad to Germany to study need to present a document stating their parents’ income, and in general, their financial standing. One can also submit their parents’ bank account statements as proof.

Although all listed Blocked Account alternatives are authorised by the Government of Germany, however, it is recommended that international students go for the letter of commitment or for the scholarship options to increase their stances for a successful German student visa.

Also Read: How to Study in Germany After 12th

Which Countries Do Not Require Blocked Account for International Students?

Now that you know how to study in Germany without blocked account, you can now have a look at countries which do not require a blocked account in Germany to study. Here is a list of countries:

EU Countries	Citizens from the European Union, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden
Other Countries	Students from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland

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