Do I need a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for a Studienkolleg?

If you apply for a visa to attend a Studienkolleg, you must prove that your living costs are covered. A Sperrkonto is the most common way, but not the only one: German missions in Türkiye accept either a blocked account or a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal declaration of support) from someone living in Germany.

#Why the same rule as for university students?

Once your acceptance is proven, attending a Studienkolleg counts as a preparatory measure (studienvorbereitende Maßnahme) within the study purpose under § 16b AufenthG. The same proof of funds therefore applies as for a student visa. According to the missions' leaflet, an admission letter from the Studienkolleg makes the examination of your application easier.

#How much?

In 2026: 992 € per month, 11,904 € per year (BMI notice for 2026, tied to the maximum BAföG rate). How many months you need to cover depends on the visa duration – check the mission's current information.

#Verpflichtungserklärung instead of a Sperrkonto

A person living in Germany can formally commit to covering your living costs. The authorities check whether that sponsor can actually pay; no fixed income threshold is published in official sources. Your sponsor should ask their local Ausländerbehörde for details.

#After the Studienkolleg

• The Studienkolleg and the degree that follows belong to the same § 16b study purpose; the residence permit is extended as long as the purpose has not yet been achieved but can be achieved within a reasonable time.
• The 140-working-day rule (Arbeitstagekonto) also applies during the Studienkolleg; the current law has no separate work ban for the preparatory phase.

Amounts and how the blocked account works: 2026 Sperrkonto update