Blocked account 2026: Expatrio vs Fintiba vs Coracle
Short answer: all three hold the required €11,904 (12 months × €992). Expatrio is the only one that publishes complete prices on its own page: €119 setup + €9 a month = €227 for 12 months, with a free bank account for payouts and fees refunded on visa rejection. Fintiba keeps the money at a German bank under German deposit protection; its public page did not show its fees when we checked. Coracle has no monthly fee, but its opening fee is listed as "coming soon".
12-month cost compared
| Expatrio | Fintiba | Coracle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocked amount (student, 12 months) | €11,904 | €11,904 | €11,904 |
| Setup fee | €119 | €159 (independent sources) | "coming soon" |
| Monthly fee | €9 | €9.90 (independent sources) | €0 (Coracle Prime, independent sources) |
| Fees for 12 months | €227 | ≈ €277.80 | not determinable |
| Extra buffer to send | none stated | none stated | €80 (returned with first payout) |
| If your visa is rejected | Blocked amount and service fees refunded | Blocked amount refunded, minus opening fee and transfer fees | check before applying |
| Where the money sits | Partner bank UniCredit (formerly Aion Bank) | Licensed German bank, German deposit guarantee | Payment partner Lemonway (stated on Coracle's site) |
| Payouts in Germany | Free Expatrio bank account included | You open your own German bank account and add its IBAN | Share your account details after arrival |
| Health insurance bundle | Value Package (incl. travel insurance) | Fintiba Plus (incl. travel insurance) | Separate health and travel insurance offers |
Checked on 6 October 2026 on each provider's own page. Fintiba's public page shows placeholder fees, so its figures come from independent comparisons (student-insurance.com, indiascholarships.in); confirm them in Fintiba's sign-up flow before paying.
Work out the total for your exact stay and transfer fees with the blocked account calculator.
Which one should you choose?
- You want the lowest published price and no separate German bank account: Expatrio. Its 12-month fees (€227) are the lowest fully published figure, and payouts arrive in the included account.
- German deposit protection matters most to you: Fintiba. Expect about €50 more over 12 months, and note that the opening fee is not refunded if your visa is rejected.
- You want no monthly fee: Coracle could be cheapest, but only once the opening fee is published. Do not apply until you can see the full price.
How much do you need to send?
For a student visa in 2026: €992 × number of months, normally 12 months = €11,904. Expatrio lets you transfer up to €25,000; anything above the required amount is paid out with your first payout. Opportunity Card applicants need €1,091 a month (€13,092 a year), and some other visa types require 10% more than the standard monthly amount, according to Fintiba. Only your German mission or immigration office can confirm the binding amount for your case.
Timeline that works
- Open the account 3–4 weeks before your visa appointment.
- Transfer the funds. International bank transfers usually take 3–5 business days and occasionally up to 14 days (Expatrio); providers' partner transfer services (Flywire, Fintiba Transfer) are often faster.
- Download the blocking confirmation once the money arrives and bring it to your visa appointment.
- After arrival: register your address, then activate payouts. See the first 90 days checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a blocked account for my second year?
Usually not. Fintiba notes that the blocked account is typically required only for the first year; to extend your permit you prove money again, which can be a scholarship, a job, parental support or a declaration of commitment.
Can I pay rent from the blocked account?
No. The money is released monthly to a normal German bank account, and you pay rent from there.
Do EU citizens need one?
No. Blocked accounts are for visa applicants from outside the EU/EEA.
Sources
- Expatrio: blocked account pricing and FAQ (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Fintiba: blocked account page and FAQ (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Coracle: blocked account page (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- GradGermany: provider comparison