Last updated: August 2026
To apply for Germany’s Opportunity Card, you need to demonstrate that you can cover your living expenses during the planned job-search period.
In 2026, you generally need access to €1,091 net per month.
For a full twelve-month Opportunity Card, this corresponds to:
€13,092
There is more than one way to demonstrate sufficient funds for the Opportunity Card.
Depending on the responsible German mission or foreigners authority, accepted options can include:
a blocked account
a Declaration of Commitment
income from a part-time job
a combination of part-time income and blocked funds
regular bank statements, where expressly accepted
The exact evidence depends on where and how you apply.
Always check the current instructions provided by the Consular Services Portal, the German mission responsible for your place of residence or the foreigners authority responsible for your address in Germany.
How much money do you need?
The monthly financing amount for the Opportunity Card in 2026 is generally:
€1,091 net per month
For twelve months:
€1,091 × 12 = €13,092
The amount you need to demonstrate can be lower if the Opportunity Card is issued for a shorter period.
For example:
six months: €6,546
nine months: €9,819
twelve months: €13,092
These calculations do not include:
blocked-account provider fees
bank transfer costs
exchange-rate differences
visa fees
residence permit fees
health insurance
relocation expenses
housing deposits
emergency savings
The official amount is an immigration requirement. It is not a personalized estimate of how much you will actually need to live in Germany.
The official minimum is not your full relocation budget
The required amount may cover the formal financing threshold, but it may not be enough for a comfortable start in every city.
Your initial expenses can include:
temporary accommodation
rental deposit
first month’s rent
furniture
local transportation
health insurance
mobile phone and internet
translations
document fees
travel to Germany
emergency expenses
Housing can be especially expensive in cities such as Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Berlin.
Planning with exactly €13,092 and no additional reserve can leave very little flexibility.
A practical budget should therefore distinguish between:
the minimum amount required for the Opportunity Card
the additional money needed for relocation and emergencies
Option 1: Blocked account
A blocked account is one of the most standardized ways to demonstrate your own financial resources.
You transfer the required amount into a special account before the application is completed.
After arriving in Germany and activating the account, you can normally withdraw only the approved monthly amount.
For a twelve-month Opportunity Card in 2026, the blocked balance would generally need to cover:
€13,092
Provider and transfer fees are additional.
A blocked account can be useful because it gives the authority clear evidence that the required funds are available and protected for the intended period.
How a blocked account works
The general process is:
Choose a blocked-account provider.
Create the account.
Complete the provider’s identity checks.
Transfer the required funds and fees.
Receive the blocking confirmation.
Submit the confirmation with the visa or residence application.
Activate the account after arriving in Germany.
Receive the permitted monthly payments.
The exact process differs between providers.
Compare:
setup fee
monthly fee
transfer methods
accepted currencies
activation process
refund process
customer support
cancellation terms
additional insurance or banking products
Opening a blocked account with Expatrio
Several banks and specialized providers offer blocked accounts.
One provider you can consider is Expatrio (ad), which offers blocked-account services for people moving to Germany.
This is an affiliate link. If you use it to purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Expatrio is not the only available provider, and German authorities do not require you to use a particular company.
Depending on the selected product, Expatrio may also offer services connected to:
health insurance
a German current account
other relocation-related products
Compare the services, prices and conditions before selecting a package.
Opening a blocked account does not confirm that your Opportunity Card will be approved.
Can you close the blocked account after finding a job?
Finding a full-time job does not automatically release all remaining blocked funds.
You may first need to:
receive the appropriate employment residence title
ask for the blocking notice to be lifted
provide confirmation from the competent authority
follow the provider’s closure procedure
The German mission or foreigners authority named as the beneficiary of the blocking arrangement may need to approve the release.
Check the provider’s requirements before assuming that the remaining balance will become immediately available.
Option 2: Declaration of Commitment
A Declaration of Commitment is called a Verpflichtungserklärung in German.
A person living in Germany formally agrees to cover certain expenses connected to your stay.
The declaration is issued through the competent German authority.
The person providing it may need to show:
identity documents
income
employment
housing costs
household size
other financial obligations
The authority assesses whether that person has sufficient financial capacity.
A relative, friend or other contact in Germany may be able to provide the declaration.
It is not an informal sponsorship letter.
It creates significant financial responsibilities for the person signing it. Anyone considering this option should read the authority’s information carefully and seek legal advice where necessary.
Option 3: Part-time employment
The Opportunity Card permits employment of up to 20 hours per week.
If you already have a suitable part-time employment contract before applying, the expected net income can be considered when assessing sufficient funds for the Opportunity Card.
The contract should clearly state:
employer
position
duties
weekly working hours
start date
gross salary
contract duration
The official financing threshold is expressed as a net monthly amount.
A gross salary in the employment contract cannot be compared directly with the €1,091 threshold.
Taxes and social insurance contributions can reduce the amount available after deductions.
When part-time income covers the full amount
If the accepted net income reaches at least €1,091 per month, it may cover the full monthly financing requirement.
The responsible authority will still review the contract and calculation.
A part-time contract does not guarantee that the income will be accepted without further questions.
Combining part-time income with a blocked account
If the part-time income is lower than €1,091 net per month, the remaining difference can be covered through a blocked account.
For example:
required monthly amount: €1,091
accepted net part-time income: €750
remaining monthly gap: €341
For twelve months:
€341 × 12 = €4,092
In this simplified example, the applicant would need to demonstrate an additional €4,092 in blocked funds.
The actual calculation depends on the accepted net income, contract duration and intended Opportunity Card period.
Combining part-time income with a blocked account is an established way to cover a financing gap.
Make sure the calculation and supporting documents are clear.
The 20-hour limit matters
Employment under the Opportunity Card is generally limited to a total of 20 hours per week.
A contract exceeding this limit may no longer fit the ordinary Opportunity Card job-search framework.
In that situation, another employment residence title may be more appropriate.
Do not assume that a full-time contract can simply be used as proof of Opportunity Card financing while the person remains on the same job-search permit.
Option 4: Regular bank statements
Some German missions and foreigners authorities also accept regular bank statements as proof of sufficient funds for the Opportunity Card.
For example, the German Embassy in London accepts German or UK bank statements for an account held in the applicant’s name.
The statements should generally cover at least three months and demonstrate a continuous and sustainable balance.
Foreigners authorities in Germany can also accept bank statements.
Published Opportunity Card requirements in cities such as Berlin and Munich list account statements among the possible ways to demonstrate a secure livelihood.
This does not mean that ordinary bank statements are accepted everywhere.
Requirements can differ according to:
the German mission or foreigners authority
the country in which the account is held
the account currency
the number of required statements
how long the funds have been available
whether the balance is considered sustainable
whether the statements require authentication
the intended duration of the Opportunity Card
the source of the funds
A recent transfer of the full amount into an otherwise inactive account may lead to questions about the source and availability of the money.
Before relying on regular bank statements, check the instructions provided by:
the Consular Services Portal
the German mission responsible for your ordinary place of residence
the foreigners authority responsible for your address in Germany
Ask for written clarification if the published instructions are unclear.
A blocked account remains the more standardized option for applicants using their own savings, but it is not the only form accepted by every authority.
Can foreign bank statements be accepted?
Sometimes.
The German Embassy in London is an example of a mission that accepts statements from local UK accounts as well as German accounts.
Another mission may apply different rules.
Possible requirements can include:
statements in the applicant’s name
a minimum account history
a stable balance
official bank documents
statements in German or English
currency conversion
proof explaining recent large deposits
confirmation that the money is freely accessible
Do not rely on another applicant’s experience at a different embassy.
Follow the requirements of the authority handling your own application.
Can German bank statements be accepted?
Yes, some foreigners authorities in Germany accept ordinary German account statements when assessing whether the applicant can cover living expenses.
This can be relevant to people who are already lawfully living in Germany and are permitted to apply for the Opportunity Card from within the country.
The local authority may ask for:
recent bank statements
evidence of regular income
proof of rent
health insurance
a Declaration of Commitment
a scholarship
employment documents
other proof of a secure livelihood
Local procedures differ.
A method accepted in Berlin or Munich is not automatically accepted by every foreigners authority.
Can different financing methods be combined?
Yes, depending on the authority and the documents.
Common combinations can include:
part-time income plus a blocked account
part-time income plus savings
bank statements plus other regular income
a shorter blocked amount for a shorter Opportunity Card period
The application should make the financing easy to understand.
Avoid submitting several unclear sources without explaining:
the amount available
the period covered
whether the funds are accessible
whether the income is gross or net
who owns the funds
The authority may request further evidence.
Can you receive an Opportunity Card for less than twelve months?
Yes, the initial Opportunity Card does not always need to be issued for the full twelve months.
If you can demonstrate financing for a shorter period, the authority may issue the card for that shorter duration.
For example, financing of €6,546 corresponds to six months at the 2026 monthly amount.
The maximum original job-search period is generally twelve months.
A shorter initial period gives you less time to:
find qualified employment
complete interviews
organize an employer’s documents
apply for another residence title
Do not choose a shorter period without considering how long the German job search and immigration process can take.
Do you also need health insurance?
Yes.
Proof of sufficient funds and proof of health insurance are separate parts of the process.
A blocked account demonstrates financial resources.
It does not replace health insurance.
Depending on your situation, suitable coverage may include:
incoming health insurance for the entry period
statutory health insurance after beginning eligible employment
private health insurance that meets the applicable requirements
Check the instructions for your exact application.
Do not assume that every travel insurance policy is sufficient for the visa or residence process.
When should you prepare the financing evidence?
Prepare it early enough that you can submit complete evidence with the application.
Possible delays include:
account verification
international transfers
compliance checks
proof of the source of funds
transfer limits
currency conversion
bank holidays
provider processing
Declaration of Commitment appointments
employer contract preparation
Do not transfer the blocked amount before confirming the current requirement and provider instructions.
Amounts can change from year to year.
Common mistakes
Using an old financing amount
The required amount can be adjusted.
Check the amount applicable to the year and procedure of your application.
Forgetting provider and transfer fees
The required blocked balance must normally remain available after the fees have been paid.
Comparing gross salary with the net threshold
The monthly requirement is expressed as a net amount.
Assuming all bank statements are accepted
Acceptance depends on the responsible mission or foreigners authority.
Moving the money shortly before applying without explanation
A sudden large deposit may lead to questions about its source.
Forgetting health insurance
Financial proof and health insurance are separate requirements.
Assuming the full blocked balance is freely accessible
Withdrawals are limited to the approved monthly amount.
Believing a blocked account guarantees approval
The authorities still review all other Opportunity Card requirements.
Treating an affiliate provider as an official recommendation
German authorities do not require a particular blocked-account provider.
Planning without an additional reserve
The formal minimum may not cover deposits, temporary housing and emergencies.
Check the rest of the Opportunity Card requirements
Financial resources are only one part of the application.
Depending on your route, you may also need evidence connected to:
academic or vocational qualification
qualification recognition
language ability
professional experience
points
passport
health insurance
intended job search
place of application
→ Check the Opportunity Card Calculator
For the general online visa procedure:
→ Read How the Consular Services Portal Works
Organize your Opportunity Card research
The Germany Immigration Call can help you organize the published Opportunity Card requirements and the factual information connected to your planned financing.
During the call, we can:
discuss the published proof-of-funds options
organize information about your planned financing period
identify official instructions to check
prepare questions for the responsible German mission
distinguish immigration requirements from your actual relocation budget
discuss the general Opportunity Card procedure
The call does not include:
confirmation that a specific bank statement will be accepted
binding calculation of accepted net income
legal advice about a Declaration of Commitment
selection or endorsement of a financial provider
completion of the official application
representation before the authorities
a guarantee that the Opportunity Card will be approved
→ Book the Germany Immigration Call
Get Opportunity Card updates
Opportunity Card amounts, procedures and local requirements can change.
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This article provides general immigration and procedural information. The required amount, accepted proof and local application practice can change. Always follow the current instructions of the Consular Services Portal, responsible German mission or foreigners authority. For individual legal advice, consult a licensed German immigration lawyer.
