No. Austria does not require a blocked account for a student visa or student residence permit. You must show that you have enough money for 12 months. A normal bank account or savings account in your own name is enough.
A blocked account (in German: Sperrkonto) is one way to show the money, but it is not required by Austrian law. Germany requires one. Austria does not. Many students pay for a blocked account they do not need because they read German rules or because an agent sold it to them.
How much money do you need to show in 2026?
The amount depends on your age. You show it for 12 months in advance. These are the 2026 amounts from OeAD, the Austrian agency for international students.
12 months × €722.58
12 months × €1,308.39
This is your own money for living costs, not a fee. A normal bank account in your name is enough. If your rent is more than €386.43 a month, add the difference.
| Your age | Per month | For 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24 | €722.58 | €8,671 |
| 24 and older | €1,308.39 | €15,701 |
Rent counts too. If your rent in Austria will be more than €386.43 a month, you must show the difference on top. Example: you are 22 and your room costs €500 a month. That is €113.57 above the limit, so you show €836.15 a month (€722.58 + €113.57), which is €10,034 for 12 months.
What counts as proof of money?
OeAD and the City of Vienna accept these:
A bank account in your name. This is the most common way. It can be a bank in your home country. The account must carry your name and you must be able to use the money from Austria (for example with a debit card or an international transfer).
A savings book (Sparbuch) in your name. Same rules as a bank account.
A declaration of liability (Haftungserklärung). Someone else promises to pay your living costs. This person signs the declaration in front of an Austrian notary or court and must show their own income. Ask your embassy which sponsors it accepts.
A scholarship letter. An official letter that shows the amount and how long it runs. If it covers less than the full amount, show the rest in your bank account.
A blocked account. Allowed, but optional. You pay a fee for it and you can only take out a fixed amount each month.
Why do so many people think Austria needs a blocked account?
Because Germany needs one. German student visas require a blocked account with €11,904 for one year (2026). Many websites, forums and agents write about "Europe" and copy the German rule. Some blocked account companies also offer an Austrian version, so it looks official. It is not required.
A simple test: if someone tells you that you must open a blocked account for Austria, ask them for the Austrian law or the official page that says so. They will not find one.
