How the Opportunity Card points work
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a residence permit for job-seeking under §20a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), in force since 1 June 2024. It lets you live in Germany for up to a year while you look for qualified work, and allows part-time work and trial employment in the meantime. The rules below are as described by the German government's official portal make-it-in-germany.com.
Route 1: fully recognised skilled workers
If your foreign qualification is fully recognised in Germany — or you hold a German degree or vocational qualification — you are treated as a skilled worker and do not need any points. You still need to show that you can finance your stay.
Route 2: basic requirements plus 6 points
Everyone else must meet all three basic requirements:
- A university degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years, state-recognised in the country where you obtained it.
- German at level A1 or English at level B2 (CEFR).
- Proof that you can support yourself, typically a blocked account (as of 2 October 2026, verify on make-it-in-germany.com) — see our blocked account guide.
…and then collect at least 6 points:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition of your foreign qualification in Germany (or permission to practise) | 4 |
| 5+ years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years | 3 |
| 2+ years of relevant professional experience in the last 5 years | 2 |
| German B2 or higher / B1 / A2 | 3 / 2 / 1 |
| English C1 or higher (or native speaker) | 1 |
| Age under 35 / 35 to under 40 | 2 / 1 |
| Previous legal stay in Germany of at least 6 months in the last 5 years (tourism doesn't count) | 1 |
| Qualification in a shortage occupation | 1 |
| Spouse/partner also meets the requirements and applies together with you | 1 |
The German points do not stack (B2 gives 3, not 1+2+3), and only one of the two experience lines counts. The visa fee for a national visa is €75 (as of 2 October 2026, verify on auswaertiges-amt.de).
Worked example
A 29-year-old software engineer from India with a B.Tech, 5 years of experience, English C1 and German A2: basic requirements met (degree + English B2+), points = 3 (experience) + 1 (German A2) + 1 (English C1) + 2 (age) = 7, plus possibly 1 more if the qualification counts as a shortage occupation. That clears the 6-point bar — the remaining work is proof of funds and a clean document set. Read the Opportunity Card guide for Indians for the document list.
Sources: make-it-in-germany.com — Opportunity Card; §20a AufenthG. Rules checked on 2 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for the Germany Opportunity Card?
You need at least 6 points, on top of the basic requirements: a university degree or at least two-year vocational qualification recognised by the state where you obtained it, German at A1 or English at B2, and proof that you can support yourself. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you do not need points at all.
Which language certificate do I need?
For the basic requirement you need German at A1 or English at B2 (CEFR). For points, German A2 gives 1, B1 gives 2 and B2 or higher gives 3; English at C1 or native level gives 1. Proof is normally a recognised certificate such as Goethe, telc, TestDaF, ÖSD, IELTS or TOEFL — check what your German mission accepts.
Does work experience have to be in my field?
Yes. Experience points (2 points for 2 years in the last 5, or 3 points for 5 years in the last 7) are for professional experience related to your qualification.
Does a previous holiday in Germany count for the stay point?
No. The point is for a legal stay of at least 6 months in Germany in the last 5 years, and stays for tourism purposes do not count.
How much money do I need to show?
You must show that you can cover your living costs for the stay, usually with a blocked account or a part-time employment contract. The required monthly amount is set by the authorities and changes, so check the current figure on make-it-in-germany.com or your German mission's website before you open an account.
Is this calculator an official decision?
No. It applies the published points rules to your answers to give you an estimate. The German mission decides on your application based on your documents. This calculator is not legal advice.