For years, moving to Germany for work usually meant getting a job offer first, from abroad, in a competitive market. The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) changed that. It lets qualified people come to Germany to look for work.
If you have a degree or a trade qualification and a plan, this could be your door. Let me explain how it works.
What Is the Opportunity Card?
It is a residence permit for job seekers. It is issued for up to 12 months while you look for a qualified job. It is not a work visa for any job, and it is not a way to simply “try your luck.” You need to qualify.
Two Ways to Qualify
Option 1: Your qualification is recognised in Germany
If your foreign degree or vocational qualification has been recognised in Germany as equivalent to a German one, you count as a skilled worker (Fachkraft). You do not need to collect points, and you do not need to prove your German language skills. You still need to prove you can support yourself.
Option 2: The points system
If your qualification is not (yet) recognised in Germany, you can qualify through points. First, you must meet the basic requirements:
- A university degree or a vocational qualification (at least two years of training) that is recognised by the state in the country where you earned it.
- German at level A1 or English at level B2, shown with a certificate.
Then you need at least 6 points in total:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Qualification partially recognised in Germany | 4 |
| Professional experience: at least 2 years in the last 5 years | 2 |
| Professional experience: at least 5 years in the last 7 years | 3 |
| German at level A2 | 1 |
| German at level B1 | 2 |
| German at level B2 or above | 3 |
| English at level C1 or above (added to your German points) | 1 |
| Age up to 35 | 2 |
| Age 35 to 40 | 1 |
| Legal stay in Germany of at least 6 months in the last 5 years (study, work, language course; tourism does not count) | 1 |
| Your spouse or partner also meets the requirements | 1 |
| Academic degree in a shortage occupation | 1 |
You can test yourself for free with the official Self-Check “Opportunity Card” on the Make it in Germany portal. It also suggests how to raise your score.
Proof of Funds
Everyone must show they can support themselves while searching. The official figure is €1,091 net per month (valid for 2026). You can prove it with:
- a blocked bank account,
- a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone living in Germany who agrees to cover your costs, or
- proof of your own income of at least that amount.
The amount is updated from time to time, so check the current figure before you open an account. You also need health insurance that is valid in Germany. See our guide to health insurance in Germany.
What You Can Do on an Opportunity Card
- Look for a qualified job and attend interviews.
- Work part-time for up to 20 hours per week to help with costs.
- Try out a job during a trial period.
When you find a qualified job, you apply at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for the matching residence permit, such as an EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit. Later you can work towards permanent residence.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check your qualification. Find out whether it is recognised in Germany or partially recognised. Start this early, as it can take time.
- Run the Self-Check and work out your points.
- Prepare your documents: certificates and translations, proof of experience, language certificate, proof of funds and insurance.
- Complete the online Videx form and book an appointment at the competent German embassy or consulate in your country. Waiting times for slots can be long.
- Attend the appointment and wait for the decision. Processing takes weeks to months.
- Travel, register and settle in. Register your address (see our Anmeldung guide) and open a bank account.
Can My Family Come?
Not automatically. Your spouse needs their own residence title, unless they meet the requirements and apply at the same time so you can enter together. Children can join under certain conditions, mainly that you can cover their living costs. After you take up qualified work, our guide to family reunification explains the next step.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming your certificate is recognised. Check first. Your qualification must be recognised by the state in the country where you earned it, and recognition in Germany earns the most points.
- Missing proof for work experience. You must provide documents for every year you want points for.
- Underestimating the cost. You must show funds, and living costs in German cities are high.
- Arriving with no plan. Update your CV in German style, research employers and set weekly application goals.
- Trusting agents who promise a guaranteed job. No one can guarantee it. Use official sources, and be wary of anyone asking for large fees.
Your Next Steps
Take the first step this week: do the Self-Check and look into recognition for your qualification. And once you are in Germany, our first month checklist keeps the essentials in order.
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Figures were checked against the official Make it in Germany portal in October 2026 and can change, so always confirm on make-it-in-germany.com or with your German embassy before you apply.