Opportunity Card Points Calculator
Updated August 2026 · By Sagar S. Patil, living in Germany since 2019
Score your Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) eligibility against the 6-point minimum. Points come from your qualification, work experience, language, age and more. See where you stand and what to add.
Points route only. You still need A1 German or B2 English to enter, and proof of €1,091/month (€13,092/year) in a blocked account or via part-time work. Scoring follows the Skilled Immigration Act; the German mission makes the binding assessment.
Close, but not there yet. We show you the fastest points to add.
Check your Chancenkarte path →How the points system works
The Chancenkarte is Germany's job-seeker route for skilled workers whose qualification is not yet fully recognised. Instead of a job offer, you clear a 6-point bar: up to 4 points for a partially recognised qualification, up to 3 for German language, 2–3 for recent experience, 2 for being under 35, and one point each for a shortage occupation, a prior stay in Germany, and an eligible partner relocating with you.
Points are not the only requirement
Even at 6 points you still need the entry-level language (A1 German or B2 English) and proof of €1,091 per month to support yourself while job hunting. The card then gives you 12 months in Germany, part-time work up to 20 hours a week, and two-week trial jobs to convert into a full contract and a Blue Card or work visa.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for the Opportunity Card?
You need at least 6 points on the Chancenkarte points system. Points come from your qualification, recent work experience, language skills, age, a shortage occupation, a prior stay in Germany, and an eligible partner relocating with you.
Can I get the Opportunity Card without German?
Yes. The entry minimum is A1 German or B2 English. You can qualify on the points route with strong English and no German, but higher German levels (A2, B1, B2+) add extra points and make the 6-point bar much easier to clear.
What if my qualification is fully recognised?
Then you qualify automatically and do not need the points route at all. The points system exists only for applicants whose foreign qualification is not (or not yet) fully recognised in Germany.
How much money do I need to show for the Opportunity Card?
You must prove financial means of €1,091 per month, which is €13,092 per year. This can be shown through a blocked account or by evidence of permitted part-time work during your stay.
How long is the Opportunity Card valid?
It grants up to 12 months to look for a job in Germany. During that time you may work part-time up to 20 hours per week and take trial jobs of up to two weeks with prospective employers.
Six points is the bar. We find yours fastest.
The first call is free. We look at your profile and tell you the quickest points to add and whether the Opportunity Card or a direct work visa is the smarter route.
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