Activating and Using Your Blocked Account

Once you have your visa and have arrived in Germany, there are a few more steps to activate your blocked account and start receiving your monthly payouts:

1. Register Your Address (Anmeldung): Within two weeks of arriving and finding accommodation, you must register your address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt). You will receive an address registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from the local registration office.
2. Open a Regular German Current Account (Girokonto): Your monthly blocked account payouts cannot be paid directly to you in cash to any other German bank account outside Germany. You will need to open a regular German current account (checking account) with a local bank. Get in touch with your online providers. They may have tie-ups with local bank and offer assistance to you with opening the bank account with their partner banks. You'll need your passport, entry stamp and Meldebescheinigung to open this account.
3. Activate Your Blocked Account Payouts: Inform your blocked account provider that you have arrived in Germany and provide them with the details of your new German current account (IBAN). You may also need to submit a copy of your visa, entry stamp, and Meldebescheinigung. The provider will then link your bank account and start monthly transfers of the blocked amount.
4. Receive Monthly Payouts: Once activated, you will start receiving the agreed-upon monthly amount from your blocked account into your German current account. You can then use this money for your living expenses.