{"id":64844,"date":"2025-12-24T15:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/declaration-of-commitment-your-uncomplicated-path-to-a-german-visa\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T11:07:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T10:07:49","slug":"declaration-of-commitment-your-uncomplicated-path-to-a-german-visa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/declaration-of-commitment-your-uncomplicated-path-to-a-german-visa\/","title":{"rendered":"Declaration of Commitment: Your Uncomplicated Path to a German Visa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font||||||||&#8221; header_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>Why Is This Topic Important for You?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone who wants to learn German in Germany must prove to the embassy that their financing is secured. If you do not have sufficient personal savings for a blocked account, a <\/span><b>declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungseklarung)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is often the easiest solution. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about this document so you can safely plan your German language course at the German Institute in Stuttgart.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What Is a Declaration of Commitment?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a declaration of commitment, a third person (ex. a friend or relative living in Germany) signs a legally binding statement at the immigration office confirming that they will sponsor all of your living expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Important for the sponsor:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The liability does not only include rent and food, but in serious cases also medical costs or the expenses of an involuntary return to your home country. You can find the official regulations at the <\/span><b>German Federal Foreign Office<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Who Can Sign a Declaration of Commitment?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The person who signs for you is called a <\/span><b>host or sponsor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This can be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a friend<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a family member<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an acquaintance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This person must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have a permanent residence in Germany<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provide proof of a regular income<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appear in person at the immigration office<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Which Costs Are Covered by a Declaration of Commitment?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By issuing a declaration of commitment, your host takes on significant responsibility for you. In an emergency, they may have to pay for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">food and accommodation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clothing and personal expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doctor visits or medication (if no insurance exists)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the return trip to your home country<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Which Documents Must the Sponsor Provide?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To issue a declaration of commitment, the immigration authority requires certain documents. These usually include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Proof of income (Einkommennachweis):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The last three salary statements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Proof of housing (Wohnraumnachweis):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rental contract or land register extract.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Identity documents:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> National ID card or passport.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Creditworthiness check (Bonit\u00e4tspr\u00fcfung):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The net income must be high enough to cover your living expenses (in addition to the sponsor\u2019s own obligations). Details on the financial assessment are available on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.service-bw.de\/zufi\/leistungen\/1761\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Service Portal of Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Information about the guest:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Name, date of birth, nationality<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copy of passport<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of the purpose of stay (e.g. language course registration confirmation or <\/span><b>Anmeldebest\u00e4tigung<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Proof of housing of the sponsor:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important that the sponsor not only has sufficient income, but often also enough living space if you plan to live with them. The authority checks the size of the apartment in relation to the number of people living there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font||||||||&#8221; header_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px|14px|false|false&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#4458EE&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><b>Step by Step: How to Obtain a Declaration of Commitment<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to attend a German language course in Germany, the process usually works as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Registration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You register at the German Institute and receive a course confirmation (<\/span><b>Anmeldebest\u00e4tigung<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Appointment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your host schedules an appointment at the immigration office (e.g. in Stuttgart).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Assessment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The authority checks the host\u2019s income (salary statements).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fee:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The declaration of commitment usually costs <\/span><b>\u20ac29<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delivery:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The original document is sent to you by post.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Visa application:<\/b><span> You take the document to the German embassy and apply for your visa.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2026-02-20-um-11.05.19.png&#8221; alt=&#8221;Illustrative graphic on the topic of a letter of commitment: Two people shaking hands in front of a document&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Bildschirmfoto 2026-02-20 um 11.05.19&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font||||||||&#8221; header_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>Comparison: Blocked Account or Declaration of Commitment?<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Declaration of Commitment<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Blocked Account<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funds required<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low (approx. \u20ac29 fee)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High (\u20ac11,904 initial deposit)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source of financial support<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsor with regular income<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal savings<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advantage<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No large upfront payment<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full financial independence<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><b>The Combination: Declaration of Commitment + Blocked Account<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In rare cases, the immigration authority may require both if the sponsor\u2019s income is only slightly above the minimum threshold. In such situations, a <\/span><b>partial declaration of commitment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may cover health insurance costs, while a smaller blocked account secures the remaining living expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font||||||||&#8221; header_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>Professional Tips for a Successful Visa<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The 6-month validity window:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time of your visa appointment, the declaration of commitment is usually not allowed to be older than <\/span><b>six months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Health insurance:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with a sponsor, the embassy requires travel health insurance for the initial period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Original document:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must submit the <\/span><b>original document<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the embassy, not just a copy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Visa rejection:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your visa is rejected despite a declaration of commitment, the guarantee remains legally valid as long as it has not expired. However, the sponsor does not have to make any payments because you do not enter Germany. It is advisable to keep the original document safe in case you submit an appeal or reapplication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Do You Still Have Questions About Your Visa?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t worry\u2014you don\u2019t have to go through this process alone. As a student of the German Institute, you benefit from our experience. We help you prepare the correct documents for the embassy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"emoji\" alt=\"\ud83d\udc49\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/svg\/1f449.svg\" \/> <\/span><b>Book your<a href=\"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/contact\/\"> consultation appointment <\/a>today!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Is This Topic&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":64845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[543,546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-german","category-visa"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/verpflichtungserklaerung-visum-deutschland-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64844"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66015,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64844\/revisions\/66015"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/germaninstitute.com\/de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}