How the Opportunity Card points work
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is Germany's visa for people with no job offer yet. It gives you up to a year in Germany to find work, and you may work up to 20 hours a week while you search.
Sent many applications from home and heard nothing? Many German employers want to meet you first. With this card you can be there: go to interviews in person and do a trial day.
There are two ways in. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you count as a skilled worker and skip the points. Everyone else takes two steps.
Step 1: the basics. You need a degree, or vocational training of at least two years, that is state-recognised where you earned it. You also need German at A1 or English at B2. A German body must confirm your qualification, usually through anabin or a ZAB statement.
Step 2: the points. You need at least 6 points from this table in the German Residence Act. A partial recognition notice also covers the qualification rule in step 1. Shortage occupations are the EU Blue Card groups: IT, science and engineering, doctors, nurses and other health jobs, vets, teachers and some managers.
| What you have | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition of your qualification in Germany | 4 |
| German at B2 / B1 / A2 (only your highest level counts) | 3 / 2 / 1 |
| English at C1 | 1 |
| Work experience: 5 years in the last 7 / 2 years in the last 5 | 3 / 2 |
| Qualification in a shortage occupation | 1 |
| Age: 35 or under / 36 to 40 | 2 / 1 |
| 6 months of legal, continuous stay in Germany in the last 5 years | 1 |
| Your spouse or partner also qualifies and applies with you | 1 |
The money you must show
Points alone are not enough. You must also prove you can live without help: €1,091 per month of stay, €3,309 for the shortest card (91 days) and €13,092 for 12 months. Most people use a blocked account. The visa fee is €75. If no job comes for six months, can you still pay rent and food?
What your result means
- 6 points or more: you look eligible on paper. Now prove it: every point needs a certificate, letter or stamp.
- 4 or 5 points: you are close. One German level or a partial recognition notice can be enough.
- Under 4, or basics not met: start with the basics. Points do not count until you meet them.
Mistakes to avoid
- Counting a tourist trip as a stay. Short Schengen visits do not count for the 6-month point.
- Counting work from before your degree or training. Only related work after your qualification counts.
- Opening the blocked account too late. The embassy wants the official confirmation with the total and the monthly amount.
- Claiming the spouse point twice. Your partner must apply at the same embassy, and only one of you gets the extra point.
- Forgetting the clock. The card is for searching. After one year you need a job and a work permit.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to moving to Germany, the job seeker visa guide and how degree recognition works. Degree came back as not equivalent? See what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for the Germany Opportunity Card?
You need at least 6 points, and you must meet the basic requirements first. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you need no points at all.
How much money do I need for the Opportunity Card in 2026?
German embassies ask for €1,091 per month of stay: €3,309 for the shortest card (91 days) and €13,092 for a full year. Most people use a blocked account. A formal letter of commitment from someone living in Germany also works.
Can I work while I look for a job?
Yes. You may work up to 20 hours a week on average. You may also do trial work of up to two weeks with an employer who could hire you.
Is English enough for the Opportunity Card?
English at B2 meets the basic language rule. English at C1 adds 1 point. German gives more: up to 3 points at B2.
What happens when my year ends?
If you find a qualified job, you switch to a work permit such as the EU Blue Card. If you have a job offer but do not meet those rules, the card can be extended for up to two years with approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
Estimate only. The German embassy or consulate and the immigration office decide your case. Rules checked in October 2026 against the Residence Act and German embassy leaflets.
