Country Guides
Germany: the blocked account and the APS certificate explained
Two requirements catch many Indian applicants to Germany by surprise. What each one is, when to start, and where to find the current rules.
Admission Mantra Editorial Team. Published . 6 min read.
Germany attracts many Indian students because public universities charge low or no tuition in most states. Two requirements, however, often slow applicants down: the APS certificate, which checks your academic documents, and proof of funds, usually shown through a blocked account. Both take time, so it helps to understand them early.
The APS certificate
The Academic Evaluation Centre (Akademische Prüfstelle, APS) at the German Embassy in New Delhi verifies the educational documents of Indian applicants. For most Indian students applying to study in Germany, an APS certificate is required for the student visa, and many universities also ask for it with the application.
- It checks that your certificates and mark sheets are genuine and that your qualifications meet German entry rules.
- You apply online, pay the fee set by APS India and send the documents it asks for.
- Processing takes several weeks and can take longer in busy months, so apply as soon as your documents are ready.
- The certificate is not an admission decision; universities still assess you separately.
Apply for APS before or while you shortlist universities. Waiting for an offer first is one of the most common reasons students miss a German intake.
The blocked account
To get a German student visa, you must show that you can pay your living costs. The most common way is a blocked account (Sperrkonto): you deposit a full year's required amount, and the account releases a fixed sum to you each month after you arrive. Other forms of proof, such as a formal obligation letter from someone living in Germany or a scholarship, may also be accepted.
The required amount is set by the German government and is revised from time to time. Always check the current figure on the Federal Foreign Office or German Embassy website before you transfer money, rather than relying on an older article or a provider's advertisement.
Choosing a blocked account provider
- Use a provider the German missions in India accept. The embassy's visa information explains what is acceptable.
- Compare set-up and monthly fees, and whether the provider bundles health insurance.
- Check how long it takes to issue the confirmation letter you need for your visa appointment.
- Make sure the name on the account matches your passport exactly.
A practical order of steps
- Collect your academic documents and apply for APS.
- Shortlist courses and check each university's deadline and whether it uses uni-assist.
- Take your English test, or German test if the course is taught in German.
- Apply to universities.
- Once you have an admission letter, open the blocked account and arrange health insurance.
- Book your visa appointment and prepare the document checklist from the German mission.
Health insurance
Health insurance is compulsory for students in Germany, and you will need proof of it for your visa and university enrolment. Students under certain ages usually join public statutory insurance once enrolled, while others may need private cover. The rules depend on your age and situation, so check them with your university and insurer before you travel.
Costs beyond the blocked account
Remember the semester contribution charged by most universities, health insurance, rent deposits and your first weeks' expenses before the first monthly payout. Some states charge tuition to non-EU students, so check your university's fee page.
Our Germany counsellors can check your documents before you apply for APS and build a timeline back from your intake.
Official sources
- APS India (opens in a new tab)
- German Federal Foreign Office: Visa services (opens in a new tab)
- German Missions in India (opens in a new tab)
- Study in Germany (DAAD) (opens in a new tab)
Rules and fees change. Always check the official source before you act.