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Higher education in Germany — Section 16b AufenthG
German Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Bangladeshi Students: 2026 Requirements & Official Amounts
To obtain a German student visa in Dhaka, Bangladeshi applicants must prove sufficient living funds. Under Section 16b of the Residence Act, the statutory minimum is €11,904 per year (€992 per month). This page explains the exact rules, approved providers, transfer steps from Bangladesh, and refund protections.
Section 16b Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz — AufenthG)
€11,904 for 12 months (≈ ৳15,50,000–16,00,000 BDT depending on bank conversion)
€992 per month after registration in Germany
Sperrbestätigung (06 Blocked Amount Confirmation)
Expatrio, Coracle, Fintiba, ICICI Bank Germany
Full refund upon submitting German Embassy refusal letter (Ablehnungsbescheid)
10 October 2026
The short answer
Bangladeshi students heading to German universities must deposit a minimum of €11,904 into a recognized German blocked account (Sperrkonto) before their visa interview at the German Embassy in Dhaka. After arriving in Germany, this fund is unlocked and disbursed in equal monthly installments of €992 to cover living expenses.
Official financial requirements breakdown
The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) mandates standard living cost thresholds based on the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).
Standard Degree Student (Bachelor / Master / PhD)
€11,904 per year (€992 / month × 12 months)
Mandatory for all non-EU students entering Germany under Section 16b AufenthG for higher education.Preparatory / Studienkolleg / Language Course
€11,904 to €12,288 per year (up to €1,024 / month if preparatory course)
Some German foreigners authorities (Ausländerbehörde) require up to €1,024/month for isolated preparatory language courses.Buffer / Set-up fee recommendation
€100 to €200 initial provider fee + €100 buffer
Providers charge a one-time setup fee (≈€49–€110) plus a small monthly service fee (≈€5). An extra buffer prevents wire transfer fee shortfalls.Student Health Insurance Bundle
Statutory Public Health Insurance (≈€120–€130 / month)
Public health insurance (TK, Barmer, DAK, AOK) is mandatory for university enrollment and visa issuance.Step-by-step process: opening and funding from Bangladesh
1. Receive University Admission (Zulassungsbescheid)
Obtain your formal offer letter or conditional admission from a recognized German higher education institution or Studienkolleg.
2. Open Blocked Account Online
Create an account with a Federal Foreign Office-recognized provider (such as Expatrio, Coracle, or Fintiba) using your valid Bangladeshi passport.
3. Open Student File at a Scheduled Bank in Bangladesh
Visit an authorized foreign exchange dealing bank in Bangladesh (e.g. Eastern Bank, Standard Chartered, City Bank, BRAC Bank) with your passport, admission letter, and provider wire instructions.
4. Remit Funds via International SWIFT Transfer
Transfer the exact blocked amount (€11,904 + buffer) through the official banking channel under Bangladesh Bank student remittance guidelines.
5. Download Sperrbestätigung for Embassy Appointment
Once the funds land in your German account (usually 1–3 business days), download the official 06 Blocked Confirmation and submit it to the German Embassy in Dhaka.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use personal savings in a Bangladeshi bank instead of a Sperrkonto?
No. The German Embassy in Dhaka and the German Federal Foreign Office strictly require an officially locked German account (Sperrkonto) or a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) under Section 68 AufenthG. Regular Bangladeshi bank statements are not accepted as proof of living costs.
What happens to my money if my German student visa is refused?
Your funds are completely safe. If the German Embassy in Dhaka refuses your visa, you submit a copy of the official refusal letter (Ablehnungsbescheid) to your blocked account provider. The provider unlocks the account and returns 100% of the deposited principal back to your remitting Bangladeshi bank account.
Can someone else (like my parents) transfer money to my blocked account?
Yes. The remittance from Bangladesh is typically processed through the parents' bank account via the approved Student File under Bangladesh Bank guidelines, referencing the student's unique Sperrkonto IBAN and payment reference number.
When can I access the money after arriving in Germany?
After arriving in Germany, you register your address (Anmeldung) at the local city hall (Bürgeramt) and open a standard German current account (Girokonto, e.g., N26, Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank). You then activate your blocked account by uploading your German registration and visa, and your provider automatically transfers €992 to your current account each month.
Do I need to block money for the second year?
For the initial visa in Dhaka, proof for the first year (€11,904) is required. When renewing your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany after your first year, the local Ausländerbehörde may ask for proof of funds for subsequent years, which can be demonstrated through an extended blocked account, part-time student job (Werkstudent) contracts, or a formal declaration.
Official sources and statutory citations
German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz — AufenthG), Section 16b; German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) — Proof of Financial Resources / Blocked Account Guidelines; German Embassy in Dhaka — Student Visa Checklist (retrieved 10 October 2026). Reviewed by the AGB editorial desk. Figures are statutory minimums and subject to periodic federal review.
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