Proof of Funds for a European Student Visa: 2026 Amounts by Country
Every European student permit asks you to prove you can support yourself, and the amounts range from Spain's 100% of the IPREM (€600 a month in 2025) to Austria's €1,308.39 a month for students aged 24 and over. Most guides still quote old figures. Here is each country's 2026 requirement, taken from the immigration authority or consulate that sets it.
Quick answer
For a non-EU student living alone, the 2026 monthly proof-of-funds requirement is roughly: Netherlands €1,130.77, Austria €722.58 under 24 or €1,308.39 from 24, Germany €992 (€11,904 a year, usually in a blocked account), Italy €10,179.85 a year (about €848 a month) plus the return fare, Ireland €10,000 a year in immediately accessible funds, Finland €800, France €615, Spain 100% of the IPREM (€600 a month in 2025), Denmark DKK 7,426 and Sweden SEK 10,656. Most countries want the money shown in advance — Austria and Germany for 12 months, Ireland for the first year. Tuition is usually on top of these amounts, not part of them. Amounts are usually revised each January, so a figure from last year can leave your application short — check the current rate before you move money. Each figure below links to the official source.
2026 proof-of-funds amounts, country by country
| Country | Amount (single student) | How much to show | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | €722.58/month under 24; €1,308.39/month from 24 | 12 months in advance; rent above €386.43/month and health insurance on top | OeAD |
| Denmark | DKK 7,426/month | Up to DKK 89,112 (one year) for longer programmes | nyidanmark.dk |
| Finland | €800/month | For the permit period | Migri |
| France | €615/month | Monthly resources | EU Immigration Portal |
| Germany | €992/month (€11,904/year) | Usually 12 months in a blocked account (Sperrkonto), or a scholarship or sponsor | DAAD / Federal Foreign Office |
| Ireland | €10,000/year | Immediate access for courses over 8 months; €833/month for 6–8-month courses | Immigration Service Delivery |
| Italy | €10,179.85/year | Plus about €500 for the return journey (or a return ticket) | Italian consulates (Interior Ministry directive, Table A) |
| Netherlands | €1,130.77/month | Rate for university and hbo students, 1 January–31 December 2026 | IND |
| Spain | 100% of the monthly IPREM (€600 in 2025) | For each month of stay, up to 12 months; tuition counted separately | Spanish consulates |
| Sweden | SEK 10,656/month | Reduced if food (−SEK 2,960) or housing (−SEK 4,736) is provided | Migrationsverket |
Verified against the official pages under Sources on 25 September 2026. Amounts are usually revised every January — check the current figure before you open an account or transfer money.
The cheapest and most expensive bars
At about €600 a month, Spain's requirement is the lowest here: 100% of the IPREM, a public income index set each year (€600 a month in 2025), for each month of your stay up to twelve. France asks for €615 a month and Finland €800. At the top, the Netherlands asks for €1,130.77 a month in 2026, and Austria jumps from €722.58 to €1,308.39 a month once you turn 24 — a surprise for many master's applicants. Germany sits in the middle at €992 a month, but asks most students to lock up the full year, €11,904, in a blocked account before the visa is issued; you can then withdraw only a set amount each month.
How you can prove it
- Blocked account (Germany). The usual route: the year's amount paid into a special account, released monthly. A recognised scholarship or proof of parental income can replace it.
- Bank statements or savings. Austria accepts a foreign savings or bank account in your name that can be accessed from Austria; Italy accepts bank statements, payslips, tax returns and similar documents — but not cash or surety insurance policies.
- Family sponsors. Italy accepts funds from parents or relatives up to the fourth degree, with proof of the relationship and a signed commitment. Ireland asks sponsors to show the money is available and that they can still support themselves.
- Scholarships. A scholarship letter can stand in for bank statements in several countries, including Austria and Germany.
Bringing family? The amounts rise
Where family can join, the requirement grows with them. In Spain it's 100% of the IPREM for the student, 75% for the first family member and 50% for each additional person. In Austria a married couple needs €2,064.12 a month in total, plus €201.88 for each child. Sweden adds SEK 4,440 a month per adult and SEK 2,664 per child, and Finland adds €610 for a spouse and €610 for the first child in the Helsinki area. See our family guide for who can come at all.
Before you transfer money
- Check the current year's figure. Most amounts change in January; an old figure can get your application refused.
- Count tuition separately. In Spain the cost of studies explicitly doesn't count toward the living-cost requirement; elsewhere tuition is usually a separate line too.
- Mind your age in Austria. If you'll be 24 during the permit, ask which rate applies to you.
- Budget for the language too. Many of these countries' student jobs need the local language. Language Lab teaches it for daily life, in 50 languages.
Key takeaways
- Lowest: Spain (100% IPREM, €600/month in 2025) · France €615 · Finland €800.
- Highest: Netherlands €1,130.77 · Austria €1,308.39 from age 24.
- Germany: €992/month, usually €11,904 in a blocked account up front.
- Italy: €10,179.85/year plus the return fare · Ireland: €10,000 immediately accessible.
FAQ
How much money do I need for a German student visa in 2026?
€992 a month, or €11,904 for a year, according to DAAD's current figure (in force since 1 January 2025). Most students show it through a blocked account; a recognised scholarship or proof of parental income can also be accepted.
Which European country has the lowest proof-of-funds requirement for students?
Among the countries compared here, Spain: 100% of the IPREM for each month of stay, which was €600 a month in 2025. France (€615 a month) and Finland (€800 a month) follow.
Does tuition count toward proof of funds?
Usually not. Spain states explicitly that money for the cost of studies isn't counted toward the living-cost requirement, and most countries treat tuition as a separate expense.
Why is Austria's requirement higher for students over 24?
Austria uses a lower rate for students up to age 24 (€722.58 a month in 2026) and the full rate from age 24 (€1,308.39 a month). Funds must be shown 12 months in advance.
Sources (official only)
- Austria: OeAD — Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student (2026 amounts)
- Denmark: nyidanmark.dk — higher education
- Finland: Migri — income requirement for students; student's family members
- France: European Commission — EU Immigration Portal, student in France
- Germany: DAAD — costs of education and living; Federal Foreign Office — blocked account
- Ireland: Immigration Service Delivery — student finance requirements
- Italy: Consulate General of Italy — enrolment of non-EU students 2026/27
- Netherlands: IND — required amounts 2026
- Spain: Spanish consulate — student visa
- Sweden: Migrationsverket — residence permit for higher-education studies
All amounts verified against the official pages above on 25 September 2026. Information, not legal advice.