How to Get a Loan to Fund Your German Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
Germany's student visa needs proof that you can pay your living costs — usually a deposit in a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Tuition at public universities is close to free, so for many Indian students this deposit is the biggest upfront cost. Here's how much you need and how an education loan covers it.
Quick answer
You need €11,904 in a blocked account for one year's living costs, released at €992 a month after you arrive. An Indian education loan can include this deposit as part of your living costs — get the loan sanctioned first, then fund the Sperrkonto before your visa appointment.
What a blocked account is and why Germany asks for it
A Sperrkonto is a German bank account you can't withdraw from freely. You deposit a year's living costs before applying for your student visa; once you're in Germany, the provider releases a fixed amount each month. It proves to the embassy that you can support yourself without working beyond the hours your visa allows.
Designated providers include Deutsche Bank, Fintiba, Coracle and Expatrio. Online providers are usually the fastest to open from India.
How an education loan funds the deposit
- Get your admission letter from the German university.
- Apply for the education loan with the full cost of attendance — blocked account, travel, health insurance and any tuition. A typical Germany loan is ₹15–25 L.
- Open the blocked account online with a provider.
- Lender disburses the living-cost portion so you can transfer €11,904 into the Sperrkonto.
- Use the blocked-account confirmation in your visa application.
Funding the Sperrkonto is often the slowest step, so start the loan about three months before your visa appointment. See what else you need in our education loan documents checklist.
Lenders for Germany
| Lender | Rate from | Collateral | Co-applicant | For Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNB Udaan | 8.35% fixed (50 listed universities) · 8.7%+ (other top) · 9%–9.3% (others) | Required | Usually a parent — confirm with us | — |
| SBI Global Ed-Vantage | 8.65% | With collateral from 8.65%; without collateral from 9.2% (depends on university ranking) | Required — flexible on income proof at its 100 listed universities, with 15% margin money | ₹1.5 Cr |
| Prodigy Finance | 9.25% (USD/GBP) | Not required | Not required | — |
| Union Bank of India | 9.3% | Not required — up to ₹30 lakh, or ₹40 lakh for listed institutions | Required | ₹40 L unsecured (premier German unis) |
| HDFC Credila | 9.7% | Not needed at top-ranked universities (from 9.7%); standard from 10.5% | Required | ₹75 L unsecured |
| ICICI Bank | 10.25% | With or without, depending on your profile | Required | ₹50 L unsecured |
| Avanse Financial | 11% | Required | Required | ₹50 L unsecured |
| Avanse Global | 12% | Not required | Not required at 162 listed universities; required with a relaxed profile at 1,447 others | 190 Germany universities on its list |
Rates as of October 2026.
- No collateral: Avanse Global lends without collateral at 190 German universities, from 12%.
- Fixed 8.35%: PNB Udaan, with collateral, at Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, Universität Heidelberg — see the PNB Udaan scheme.
Costs, visa rules and every lender for Germany are on our Germany education loan guide.
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