Expatrio Sperrkonto or Fintiba Sperrkonto: Which Is Better in Germany? (2026)
The short answer
Expatrio costs EUR 50.80 less in first-year fees, EUR 227 against EUR 277.80, accepts US citizens and refunds the setup fee if the visa is refused. Fintiba confirms faster, within hours or instantly on card payment, accepts under-18s and holds the money under German statutory protection at Sutor Bank.
Expatrio Sperrkonto
Expatrio Global Services GmbH, Berlin, Germany
Fintiba Sperrkonto
Fintiba GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Row by row
Fees verified August 2026 against each provider's published data
| Criterion | Expatrio Sperrkonto | Fintiba Sperrkonto |
|---|---|---|
| Setup feeThe one-off charge before the line works | EUR 119Wins | EUR 159 |
| Monthly feeWhat holding the account costs every month | EUR 9Wins | EUR 9.90 |
| Total first-year feesWhat the route costs all-in over twelve months | EUR 227Wins | EUR 277.80 |
| Deposit protection schemeWho guarantees the blocked money, and under whose law | EUR 100,000 under the Italian guarantee scheme through UniCredit | EUR 100,000 German statutory protection through Sutor BankWins |
| US citizens acceptedWhether FATCA rules you out | Accepted, no FATCA exclusionWins | US citizens and residents excluded |
| Minors acceptedWhether an under-18 applicant can open it | Under-18s not accepted | accepted, with a parent or guardian as account holderWins |
| Confirmation speedHow fast the Sperrbescheinigung reaches the embassy | 1 to 3 business days after the funds arrive | within hours, or instantly on card paymentWins |
| Fee refund on visa rejectionWhat you get back if the visa is refused | Deposit plus setup and service fees refundedWins | deposit refunded, setup fee generally not |
So which one
Pick Expatrio Sperrkonto if
- You are a US citizen or want the fees back if the visa fails: Expatrio has no FATCA exclusion and refunds setup and service fees.
Pick Fintiba Sperrkonto if
- Your appointment is close or the applicant is under 18: Fintiba confirms within hours, instantly on card payment, and accepts minors.
Other comparisons
2 more pairsHow we compared these two
The criteria are fixed
Every comparison on this site uses the same 8 rows in the same order, so two pages can be read against each other. We do not add a row because one side happens to win it.
A win is a stated threshold
A row is won on the published number or capability, not on judgement. Ties are declared rather than broken. Figures come from provider price lists and official sources.
How we get paid
Both links earn a commission at the same rate, so the winner of a row is never the higher-paying one. Fees come from each provider's own published price list, not a comparison feed.
Sources: provider price lists and official data, accessed August 2026. Next review: November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Expatrio Sperrkonto or Fintiba Sperrkonto?
Expatrio costs EUR 50.80 less in first-year fees, EUR 227 against EUR 277.80, accepts US citizens and refunds the setup fee if the visa is refused. Fintiba confirms faster, within hours or instantly on card payment, accepts under-18s and holds the money under German statutory protection at Sutor Bank.
When should I pick Expatrio Sperrkonto?
You are a US citizen or want the fees back if the visa fails: Expatrio has no FATCA exclusion and refunds setup and service fees.
When should I pick Fintiba Sperrkonto?
Your appointment is close or the applicant is under 18: Fintiba confirms within hours, instantly on card payment, and accepts minors.