What is a blocked account (BA)?

A blocked account is separate from a normal bank account in that it sets aside a specific amount of money for the number of months someone intends to live in Austria. It pays out a specific required amount monthly to the holder based on how long they will be here. 

The BA is a way of demonstrating to Austrian immigration authorities that you have enough money to sustain yourself during the time you’re studying or looking for work.

“All the money which authorities ask for is paid back to you. It’s securing your financial independence,” Tim Meyer, Managing Director of X-patrio Global Services, told The Local.

Who applies for a blocked account?

In general, anyone from a non-EU country who won’t have income in Austria can apply for a blocked account. It’s often required for students who have already been accepted to study in Austria, as well as job seekers, au pairs, and international apprentices.

You don’t need a block account if you’re coming to Austria on a fully-funded scholarship from a reputable organization, such as Fulbright, for example.

For some countries, such as the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea, it’s possible to come to Austria on a three-month holiday visa, and apply for a blocked account when you’re already in Austria. You may need to demonstrate having one to get your residence permit.

READ ALSO: How do I get a student visa for Austria and what does it let me do?

How do you transfer money into a blocked account?

It’s possible to cheaply transfer money into a blocked account through services such as Transferwise, which allows you to send money from one country and currency to a different country and currency for a rate of only 0.5 percent. Transfers usually take up to five days to be completed, and sometimes a tad bit longer depending on your local bank.

If you don’t have the money on hand, you can receive a so-called Haftungserklärung (a declaration of commitment). This only applies in some circumstances.  Typically au pair ‘parents; in Austria provide it for their au pairs, or sometimes the person has a family member who can also write this letter.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How does the au pair program work in Austria

How much do you put in a blocked account?

How much you need to put in depends on how long you’re staying and how old you are.

If you’re under 24 years of age, you’ll need to put about €550 in per month that you’re going to be in Austria. If you’re 24 or older, you’ll need to put in €1,000. Married couples need nearly €1,600 per month and another €155 needs to be in the BA for each child coming with.

If you’re leaving Austria earlier than planned, you’ll need an official letter from the immigration authorities to line up a “closing order” from the bank.

Where do I open a blocked account?

Your account will need to be with an Austrian bank authorised to issue blocked accounts for student visas. 

There are many banks which offer the possibility of a blocked account, though not all of them offer the possibility to simply open an account online. Seeking services that do allow opening accounts online is not only more convenient, but often the only way to go forward for students or job seekers from countries who need a visa to enter Austria in the first place.

From there, you will have a newly created account which you can bring with you to the Austrian embassy after making an appointment to apply for a visa.  

READ ALSO: How do I get a language study visa for Austria?