Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): points, requirements and how to find a job in a year

The short answer

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) lets skilled people from outside the EU live in Germany for up to a year to look for a qualified job, without a job offer. You qualify either with a qualification fully recognised in Germany, or through a points system needing at least 6 points, plus basic German (A1) or good English (B2). You must show €1,091 a month to live on in 2026, and you may work part time up to 20 hours a week and do trial work while you search.

Most work visas require a job offer before you move. Germany's Opportunity Card, or Chancenkarte, reverses that: it lets qualified people come to Germany first and look for work on the ground. Introduced on 1 June 2024 under section 20a of the Residence Act as part of the Skilled Immigration Act, it replaced the old six-month job seeker visa with a longer, more flexible permit. This guide explains who qualifies, how the points work, what money you need, how to plan your year in Germany, and how to turn the card into a long term work permit. It is written for people weighing a real move, so it also covers the practical costs and the mistakes that most often lead to refusals.

What the Opportunity Card gives you

• a residence permit of up to 12 months to look for a qualified job in Germany;
• permission to work part time up to 20 hours a week on average, in any job;
• permission to do trial work for up to two weeks per employer;
• a route to switch to a work residence permit, such as the EU Blue Card, once you find a suitable job.

It does not allow full time work, and it is not a route to permanent residence on its own.

Two ways to qualify

Route 1: you are already a skilled worker

You qualify directly, with no points needed, if you hold:

• a German university degree or vocational qualification, or
• a foreign qualification fully recognised in Germany.

Route 2: the points system

If your qualification is not fully recognised, you can qualify through points. First, you must meet the basic requirements:

1. a foreign university degree or a vocational qualification of at least 2 years that is recognised by the state in the country where you obtained it; and
2. language skills: German at least at A1, or English at least at B2.

Then you need at least 6 points from the criteria below.

The points table

Only one figure from each group counts. For example, German at B2 gives 3 points, not 3 plus 2 plus 1.

Worked examples

Proof of funds

You must prove you can support yourself for the whole planned stay. In 2026, the amount is €1,091 net per month:

You can show it with:

• a blocked account (Sperrkonto) at an approved provider;
• a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a person in Germany who promises to cover your costs;
• a part-time job contract of up to 20 hours a week that pays enough net income; or
• a combination of these.

The amount is adjusted each year, so check the current figure when you apply.

Other requirements

• Health insurance covering your stay. Travel insurance is often accepted for the job search phase if it meets German standards.
• A valid passport.
• Evidence of your qualification and its recognition status, language certificates and work experience (reference letters, contracts).
• Usually a CV and a short letter explaining your job search plan.

How to apply, step by step

Step 1: Check your qualification

Look up your university or training in the anabin database, or check with the recognition portal on Make it in Germany. If you want the 4 points for partial recognition, start the recognition procedure early.

Step 2: Prepare language evidence

Book an accepted language exam. Higher German levels give more points and greatly improve your job prospects.

Step 3: Arrange your proof of funds

Open a blocked account, or arrange a declaration of commitment or a part-time job contract.

Step 4: Apply for the national visa

Apply through the Federal Foreign Office's online portal or at the German mission responsible for your place of residence. Upload or bring all documents. Citizens of some countries can enter visa free and apply for the card in Germany.

Step 5: Arrive, register and search

After arrival, register your address and use your 12 months to network, attend interviews and do trial work.

Step 6: Switch to a work residence permit

When you have a suitable job offer, apply to the foreigners authority to change to the right permit, such as the EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit.

Working while you search

• Part-time work: up to 20 hours a week on average, in any field, including jobs unrelated to your qualification.
• Trial work: up to two weeks per employer, to test a role and let employers see your skills. There is no limit on the number of trial periods.
• Full time work: not allowed until you switch permits.

Extending the Opportunity Card

The card can be extended for up to 2 further years if you have found a job for qualified employment but do not yet meet all requirements for a regular work permit. During an extension, your work permission is tied to that specific job rather than any part-time work.

Switching: which permit is next?

Read our full guide to the EU Blue Card in Germany.

Is the Opportunity Card right for you?

It suits you if:

• you have a solid qualification and relevant experience;
• you have savings for a year in Germany;
• you can communicate in German, or work in an English-speaking field such as IT or research;
• you prefer to find a job in person.

It may not suit you if:

• your qualification is not state recognised in your home country;
• you cannot show the funds;
• you would rely on full time work immediately.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Double counting points. Only the highest level in each group counts.
2. Weak experience evidence. Bring signed reference letters with dates, duties and hours.
3. Underestimating costs. Rent in major German cities is high; the €1,091 is a legal minimum, not a comfortable budget.
4. Waiting too long to learn German. Even basic German helps with everyday life and part-time jobs.
5. Assuming the card leads to settlement. It is a stepping stone; the next permit is what counts.

Practical tips for your job search in Germany

• Use official and specialist job boards. The Federal Employment Agency's job exchange and the Make it in Germany job listings include roles open to international applicants.
• Prepare German style application documents. Employers often expect a tabular CV, copies of certificates and reference letters.
• Get your qualification recognised in parallel. Full recognition can widen the jobs you are eligible for and supports a later work permit.
• Use trial work strategically. A two week trial can turn into an offer, and employers value seeing your skills first hand.
• Register your address quickly. Registration (Anmeldung) is needed for a tax ID, which employers need even for part-time work.

How a blocked account works

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a German bank account from which you can withdraw only a fixed monthly amount. It reassures the authorities that you will have money each month of your stay.

1. Choose a provider accepted by the German missions.
2. Open the account online before your visa appointment and transfer the full amount for your planned stay, plus the provider's fees.
3. Receive a confirmation letter for your application.
4. After arrival and address registration, activate the account. Each month you can withdraw up to the monthly amount.

If you have a sponsor in Germany instead, they sign a declaration of commitment at their local foreigners authority, promising to cover your living costs, including health care and departure costs.

Recognition of your qualification

Recognition can make a big difference, both for points and for your later work permit.

• Full recognition lets you qualify directly, with no points.
• Partial recognition, where the authority finds substantial differences that you could make up, gives 4 points.
• For regulated professions, such as doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers in some states, recognition is needed before you can work in that profession at all.

Use the recognition finder on the Make it in Germany portal to identify the competent authority for your profession and the state where you plan to live. Recognition procedures take time and cost money, so start them before you apply where you can.

A month by month plan

Health insurance during the search

You must have health insurance for your whole stay. For the job search phase, many applicants use a private travel or incoming insurance policy that meets German requirements. Once you take up employment subject to social insurance, you usually join statutory health insurance through your employer. Check that your policy covers the entire validity of the card, because gaps can cause problems at the foreigners authority.

Where to get reliable information

The Federal Government's Make it in Germany portal, the Federal Foreign Office's online application service and the Federal Employment Agency publish the official requirements, including the funds amount, which changes every year. German missions abroad sometimes publish country specific checklists, and these take priority for applications made there. If your qualification is unusual, your experience is hard to document, or you have had a German visa refused before, get advice before you apply. A refusal stays on record and can make later applications harder.

Opportunity Card at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer for the Opportunity Card?

No. The Opportunity Card is designed for job seekers. You need a job offer later, to switch to a work residence permit such as the EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit.

How much money do I need for the Opportunity Card?

€1,091 net per month of planned stay in 2026, which is €13,092 for 12 months. You can show this with a blocked account, a formal declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany, or a part-time job contract that pays enough.

Can I work on the Opportunity Card?

Yes, part time up to 20 hours a week on average in any job, plus trial employment of up to two weeks per employer. Full time work requires switching to a work permit.

How many points do I need?

At least 6 points, on top of the basic requirements of a qualification recognised in your home country and German at A1 or English at B2.

Can the Opportunity Card be extended?

It can be extended for up to 2 more years if you have a job offer for qualified employment that does not yet meet all conditions for a work permit. It is not a long term status in itself.

Sources

1. Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Opportunity Card for jobseekers, requirements and points system (checked November 6, 2026)
2. Federal Employment Agency: Opportunity Card, ISS issue 02/2026 (checked November 6, 2026)
3. Federal Foreign Office: Apply online for the Opportunity Card (checked November 6, 2026)
4. Make it in Germany: The new Skilled Immigration Act at a glance (checked November 6, 2026)
5. German Embassy Wellington: Opportunity Card information sheet (checked November 6, 2026)

Cite this page: Henrik Larsen and Nika Kapanadze, "Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): points, requirements and how to find a job in a year", Immigrantset, last checked November 6, 2026, https://immigrantset.com/visas/germany-opportunity-card-chancenkarte/