The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) Explained: The Points System and Who Qualifies

FMR Legal
Jun 30
6 min read

Updated: Jul 6

Most German work visas require a job offer before you arrive. The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) flips that order: it lets qualified non-EU professionals move to Germany first and then look for skilled work on the ground, with the right to take trial jobs and part-time work along the way. Introduced on 1 June 2024 under Section 20a of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), it is built around a points system — which is exactly where most applicants get confused. This guide breaks down how the points work in 2026, what the card allows, and how to plan the year so it ends in a long-term permit.

Two ways to get the Chancenkarte

There are two separate routes, and you only need one.

Route 1 — Full recognition. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany — a foreign university degree listed as comparable, or vocational training formally recognised as equivalent to German training — you count as a skilled worker and qualify for the Chancenkarte without any points and without a language certificate. You still have to prove you can support yourself.

Route 2 — The points system. If your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany, you can qualify by scoring at least six points, provided you meet two basic requirements first:

A university degree or a vocational qualification that required at least two years of training, recognised in the country where you obtained it. For degrees this is typically shown via anabin or a ZAB Statement of Comparability; for vocational qualifications, via the digital statement on professional qualification.
Language skills: German at A1 or English at B2. Certificates must come from recognised providers (Goethe-Institut, telc, IELTS, TOEFL and similar) and should generally be no older than one year.

The 2026 points table

Points are awarded under Section 20b AufenthG. Here is the complete table:

Partial recognition of your qualification in Germany, or compensatory measures ordered in a regulated profession — 4 points.
Qualification in a shortage occupation (IT, engineering, health professions, certain trades and others) — 1 point.
Professional experience related to your qualification: at least two of the last five years — 2 points; at least five of the last seven years — 3 points.
German skills: A2 — 1 point; B1 — 2 points; B2 or higher — 3 points.
English at C1 or native — 1 additional point, on top of any German points.
Age: under 35 — 2 points; 35 to under 40 — 1 point.
Previous stay in Germany: at least six continuous months of lawful residence within the last five years (tourist visits do not count) — 1 point.
Spouse or partner who also meets the Chancenkarte requirements and applies with you — 1 point.

Three worked examples

A 29-year-old nurse whose qualification is partially recognised (4 points), in a shortage occupation (1 point), with B1 German (2 points): 7 points — qualifies, and the B1 German will pay off again later at the settlement-permit stage.
A 33-year-old marketing graduate with a degree recognised only in her home country, five years of experience (3 points), under 35 (2 points), C1 English (1 point): 6 points — qualifies, even with no German at all (the B2 English covers the basic language requirement).
A 42-year-old technician with two years of recent experience (2 points) and A2 German (1 point): 3 points — does not qualify yet. Realistic fixes: German at B2 instead of A2 adds two more points, and a partial-recognition decision would add four. Points can be built.

The money: what you must prove in 2026

You must show you can support yourself for the duration of the card. The accepted benchmark in 2026 is €1,091 net per month, which for a full year means about €13,092 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Alternatives: a formal sponsorship undertaking (Verpflichtungserklärung), or expected earnings from the part-time work the card allows — a signed part-time contract can reduce or replace the blocked amount.

What you may do during the year

The Chancenkarte is issued for up to one year to search for qualified work. While searching, you may:

Work part-time up to 20 hours per week, in one or several jobs, in any sector.
Take trial employment of up to two weeks per employer in qualified positions, so both sides can test the fit.

What it is not: a general work permit. You cannot take up unlimited full-time employment on the Chancenkarte itself — the goal of the year is to convert your job offer into a proper residence title.

After you find a job

When the offer lands, you switch inside Germany to the title that fits:

The EU Blue Card (Section 18g AufenthG), if your degree and salary meet the thresholds — €50,700 in 2026, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations, recent graduates and experienced IT specialists.
The skilled-worker permit (Sections 18a/18b AufenthG), if your qualification is recognised and the pay is customary for the role.

Applying: where, how, what it costs

You apply at the German mission responsible for your place of residence, or digitally via the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal, which handles Chancenkarte applications online. The D visa costs €75; the residence permit card issued after arrival in Germany costs €100. Bring your qualification evidence, language certificate, proof of funds and passport — and check that every certificate is current before you submit.

Chancenkarte or something else?

You already have a qualifying job offer — skip the Chancenkarte and apply directly for the Blue Card or skilled-worker visa.
You graduated from a German university or completed German vocational training — the job-search permit under Section 20 AufenthG is usually better: 18 months and unrestricted part-time work.
Your qualification is not recognised and you score below six points — consider a recognition procedure or language course first; both convert directly into points.

Common mistakes

Counting points you do not need. With full recognition you skip the points system entirely — many applicants over-prepare or wrongly assume they fall short.
Underestimating the funds requirement. A blocked account short of the annual figure is a frequent reason for refusal.
Treating the card as a work visa and taking full-time work — that will jeopardise your status.
Counting a tourist trip as a “previous stay in Germany”. Only lawful residence of six continuous months counts.
Letting the year run down. Start the recognition or Blue Card switch the moment you have an offer — the clock does not pause.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer to apply? No. The Chancenkarte exists precisely so you can search from inside Germany. A job offer becomes relevant when you switch to the follow-up title.

Can my family join me on the Chancenkarte? Not through family reunification. A spouse who qualifies can apply for their own card and travel with you; children only under narrow conditions with proven funds.

Can I work full time during a trial? Trial employment is limited to two weeks per employer; outside trials, the cap is 20 hours per week.

What if the year ends without a job? The card cannot simply be renewed for another search year. You would need to leave and reapply later, or qualify for a different title. There is one exception: if you are already in qualified employment, the follow-up Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) can extend your stay by up to two further years.

Is the Chancenkarte still available in 2026? Yes. Despite periodic political debate, the legal framework of Sections 20a and 20b AufenthG is unchanged, and the 2026 figures in this guide apply.

When to get a lawyer

Get advice if you are unsure whether your qualification counts as “fully recognised”, if your points score is borderline, if your funds setup is unconventional, or if you want to line up the switch to a Blue Card before you arrive so you are not racing the one-year deadline. A lawyer can also help structure proof of funds correctly so it is accepted the first time.

Plan the year before it starts

Fiona Macdonald helps Chancenkarte applicants score their profile honestly, fix weak points before applying, and plan the route from arrival to a long-term permit. If you want certainty before you commit, book a consultation and we will assess your case.