Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Eligibility for the Opportunity Card is divided into two distinct tracks. You only need to qualify under one of these tracks to be eligible.

1. The Skilled Worker Track

You qualify automatically for the Opportunity Card without needing to calculate points if you are a "skilled worker" (Fachkraft). To meet this definition, you must possess a university degree or a vocational qualification that is fully recognized in Germany. You can verify your degree's status through the Anabin database.

2. The Points-Based Track

If your qualification is not yet fully recognized, you must meet three mandatory basic requirements and then score at least 6 points on the selection scale.

Mandatory Basic Requirements:

• Education: You must have completed a university degree or at least two years of state-recognized vocational training in your country of origin. Short-term certificates or "bootcamps" do not qualify.
• Language: You must prove German language skills at level A1 (beginner) or English language skills at level B2 (upper-intermediate).
• Financial Means: You must prove you can support yourself without relying on German public funds. As of 2026, the requirement is €1,091 per month (approx. €13,092 for the full year). This is typically proven via a Sperrkonto (blocked account).

The Points System:

• 4 Points: Partial recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
• 3 Points: Five years of professional experience in your field (within the last seven years) OR German language skills at level B1.
• 2 Points: Two years of professional experience (within the last five years) OR being under 35 years old OR German language skills at level A2.
• 1 Point: Being between 35 and 40 years old OR a previous legal stay in Germany of at least six months (within the last five years, excluding tourism) OR English skills at level C1 OR having a spouse who is also applying for an Opportunity Card OR working in a "bottleneck profession" (shortage occupation).