Free tool · Verified 29 June 2026
Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) Points Calculator
To get the German Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) through the points system you need at least 6 points, awarded for partial recognition of your qualification (4), German B2/B1/A2 (3/2/1), English C1 (1), work experience of 5 years in 7 (3) or 2 years in 5 (2), a shortage occupation (1), age up to 35 (2) or 36–40 (1), six months of prior German residence (1), and a partner who also qualifies (1). You must also hold a recognised foreign degree or vocational qualification, at least German A1 or English B2, and prove €1,091/month (€13,092/year) of secured livelihood. If your qualification is fully recognised you are a skilled worker (Fachkraft) and do not need the points route at all.
Check your eligibility
Answer a few questions about your qualification, languages, experience and age.
Your score
4 / 6 points
You are 2 points short. The highest-leverage move is partial recognition of your qualification (worth 4 points); improving your German one level adds 1–3.
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the last 5+2
- You are 35 or younger+2
We'll set your purpose to work and put the Chancenkarte — and everything it unlocks — on a dated plan.
The Chancenkarte points system: how many points you need
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a one-year residence permit to look for a qualified job in Germany. If your foreign qualification is fully recognised you are a skilled worker (Fachkraft) and do not need this route. Otherwise you qualify through a points system: you need at least 6 points, plus a recognised degree or vocational qualification, at least German A1 or English B2, and proof of €1,091/month (€13,092 for a year) in secured livelihood.
| Criterion | Law | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Partial recognition of your foreign qualification (or aptitude for a regulated profession) | §20b(1) Nr.1 | 4 |
| German at level B2 (good) | §20b(1) Nr.2 | 3 |
| German at level B1 (adequate) | §20b(1) Nr.3 | 2 |
| German at level A2 (sufficient) | §20b(1) Nr.4 | 1 |
| English at level C1 | §20b(1) Nr.5 | 1 |
| At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the last 7 | §20b(1) Nr.6 | 3 |
| At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the last 5 | §20b(1) Nr.7 | 2 |
| Your qualification is in a shortage occupation (Engpassberuf, §18g) | §20b(1) Nr.8 | 1 |
| You are 35 or younger | §20b(1) Nr.9 | 2 |
| You are 36 to 40 | §20b(1) Nr.10 | 1 |
| You have lived legally in Germany for ≥6 continuous months in the last 5 years | §20b(1) Nr.11 | 1 |
| Your accompanying spouse/partner also meets the requirements | §20b(1) Nr.12 | 1 |
Within German level, work experience and age, only the highest band counts (you cannot add B2 and B1, or age ≤35 and 36–40). English C1 stacks on top of your German points. The minimum to qualify is 6 points.
Worked examples
- Indian software engineer, 29, partial recognition, B1 German, 3 years’ experience: Partial recognition of your foreign qualification (or aptitude for a regulated profession) (+4), German at level B1 (adequate) (+2), English at level C1 (+1), At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the last 5 (+2), Your qualification is in a shortage occupation (Engpassberuf, §18g) (+1), You are 35 or younger (+2) = 12 points — eligible (need 6).
- Nurse, 38, no recognition yet, A2 German, 6 years’ experience: German at level A2 (sufficient) (+1), At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the last 7 (+3), Your qualification is in a shortage occupation (Engpassberuf, §18g) (+1), You are 36 to 40 (+1) = 6 points — eligible (need 6).
- Graduate, 42, no recognition, A1 German only, 2 years’ experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the last 5 (+2) = 2 points — short of the 6 needed.
What the Chancenkarte unlocks
- Your Chancenkarte visa appointment — Your points result, recognition notice and proof of funds are the core of the application you book at the German mission.
- Entry and Anmeldung — Once you arrive you register your address (Anmeldung) — the first step that unlocks your tax ID, bank account and health insurance.
- The job search (with part-time work) — The Chancenkarte is a one-year permit to find a qualified job; you can work part-time up to 20 hours a week and do two-week trial jobs meanwhile.
- Switching to a long-term work permit — With a qualified offer you switch to the EU Blue Card or a §18 skilled-worker permit — the route to settlement.
How to check eligibility and apply
- Check whether you are already a skilled worker. If your foreign degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you can usually get a regular work or job-seeker visa and do not need the Chancenkarte points route.
- Score your points. Add up your points: partial recognition (4), German level (B2/B1/A2 = 3/2/1), English C1 (1), work experience (5-in-7 = 3, 2-in-5 = 2), shortage occupation (1), age (≤35 = 2, 36–40 = 1), prior German residence (1), qualifying partner (1). You need 6.
- Pursue partial recognition if you are short. A Teilanerkennung notice is worth 4 points — for most applicants the fastest way to reach 6. Use the official Anerkennung-in-Deutschland finder to start it.
- Prove your funds. Show €1,091/month (€13,092/year) via a blocked account, an obligation letter, or a part-time contract.
- Apply and switch after you arrive. Apply at the German mission, enter Germany, register your address, look for a qualified job (part-time work allowed), then switch to a Blue Card or §18 work permit.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)?
You need at least 6 points under the points system in the Anlage to §20a/§20b AufenthG. Points come from partial recognition of your qualification (4), German B2/B1/A2 (3/2/1), English C1 (1), work experience of 5 years in the last 7 (3) or 2 in the last 5 (2), a shortage occupation (1), age up to 35 (2) or 36–40 (1), six months of prior legal residence in Germany (1), and a partner who also qualifies (1).
What are the basic requirements for the Opportunity Card?
You must hold a foreign academic degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years (recognised in the country where you trained), have at least German A1 or English B2, and prove you can cover your living costs — €1,091 per month (€13,092 for a year). If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany you are a skilled worker (Fachkraft) and do not need the points route.
How much money do I need to prove for the Chancenkarte?
You must show secured livelihood of €1,091 per month — €13,092 for a 12-month job-search stay. You can prove this with a blocked account (Sperrkonto), a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung), or a part-time job contract. The Chancenkarte lets you work part-time up to 20 hours a week while you look for a qualified job.
Does partial recognition of my qualification count?
Yes — and it is the single highest-value criterion. A notice of partial recognition (Teilanerkennung) of your foreign qualification is worth 4 of the 6 points you need, so it is usually the most effective step to become eligible. Run your profession through the Anerkennung-in-Deutschland recognition finder first.
What happens after I get the Chancenkarte?
The Chancenkarte is a one-year residence permit to look for a qualified job. You enter Germany, register your address (Anmeldung), can work part-time (20 hours/week) and do two-week trial jobs, and once you have a qualified offer you switch to a work permit such as the EU Blue Card or a §18 skilled-worker permit.
Sources
Verified against the official source on .
- §20a AufenthG — Chancenkarte (gesetze-im-internet.de) — backs the Chancenkarte itself and the base requirements (qualification, language floor, secured livelihood)
- §20b AufenthG — points criteria (gesetze-im-internet.de) — backs the 12 scoring criteria (recognition, language, experience, shortage occupation, age, prior residence, partner)
- Anlage zu §20a/§20b AufenthG — points table (gesetze-im-internet.de) — backs the point value of each criterion and the 6-point minimum
- Make it in Germany (official) — Opportunity Card — backs the €1,091/month secured-livelihood amount and the part-time-work / one-year job-search rules
Turn this into a dated plan
Read the Chancenkarte guide for the full process, compare routes in Blue Card vs Opportunity Card , or start the qualification recognition that is worth 4 points. Then build a personalised plan that places the Chancenkarte — and every task it unlocks — on your own timeline.