What Is a "Blocked Account" in the Netherlands?
Common Misconception
When students say "blocked account," they often mean the German-style Sperrkonto (a bank account with monthly withdrawal limits). The Netherlands usually works differently.
How It Actually Works
For Dutch student immigration, the IND generally accepts proof of sufficient funds through your own bank funds (bank statements), or a deposit paid to your educational institution (your university/hogeschool), which the school holds and may later refund or pay out.
So in practice, the "blocked account" in the Netherlands is often a university-held deposit (sometimes called a financial guarantee), not a special bank product.
Do You Actually Need a Blocked Account?
You need it only if your school requires it as part of its visa sponsorship process.
Some institutions allow bank statements; others prefer (or require) that you transfer the full living-cost amount (and sometimes tuition) to the university first, then they use that as proof for the IND process.
How Much Money Must Be "Blocked" (2026)
For HBO (University of Applied Sciences) and WO (Research University) students:
€1,130.77
per month
€13,569.24
12 months (living costs only; tuition is separate)
€15,000
Example: Maastricht University requires this as proof of sufficient financial means in its visa procedure (amounts can differ per institution/year)
Many universities set a slightly higher internal amount to avoid shortfalls due to exchange rates and bank fees. Amounts can differ per institution/year.
Which Banks Offer Blocked Accounts?
The honest answer: Dutch banks generally don't offer a standard "blocked account for student visa" product
Instead, Dutch universities typically use their own institutional bank account to hold your deposit (the "blocked" part is procedural / administrative, not a special bank account type).
What you will need is a normal Dutch bank account after arrival so your university can refund or pay out your deposit.
How the University Deposit Usually Works
You transfer the required amount (living costs, sometimes also an application fee and/or tuition) to the university's specified bank account.
The university uses that transfer as proof of funds for the immigration file.
After you arrive and register, the university will refund the deposit (often after your official registration date), or pay it out to your Dutch bank account (method varies by school).
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Check your school's immigration instructions
Start with your university's visa page. Some schools accept bank statements; others require a deposit transfer (and may have nationality-specific rules).
Get the official payment details
Only use the official IBAN and payment reference provided in the school portal/email. (Never pay based on screenshots from social media.)
Transfer the funds correctly
Make sure the net amount received matches what the school requires (bank charges can reduce the received amount) and include the exact payment reference (often your student ID + full name + date of birth).
Upload proof of payment / bank statement
Universities typically ask for a transaction statement showing the amount deducted from your bank account and the recipient details.
Wait for confirmation and proceed with the visa steps
Once your documents and payment meet requirements, the school submits your application to the IND.
After arrival, open a Dutch bank account and request refund / payout
Some schools explicitly state they will refund your funds after you arrive and provide a Dutch bank account so they can transfer the money back to you.
Acceptable Documents (Bank Statements)
If your school allows bank statements instead of a deposit
If you're using bank statements for proof of funds, the IND lists accepted formats (original statement, copy, or online printout) and requires the document to include details such as:
Documents generally may not be older than 3 months (schools may impose stricter rules).
Specifies that funds must be readily available (savings/current accounts) and that the bank statement should be recent and properly issued.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection or Delays
Transferring too little because bank fees were deducted
Missing/incorrect payment reference (university can’t match your transfer)
Using funds that are not readily available (time deposits, investments, unclear ownership)
Assuming a "German-style blocked account" is required for the Netherlands (it usually isn’t)