The Germany Opportunity Card, or Chancenkarte, lets qualified people from outside the EU move to Germany for up to a year to look for work without a job offer in hand. It has been available since June 2024 and remains, in 2026, the main way to job-hunt inside the country legally while earning some money on the side.
It is not a work visa and it does not guarantee a job. It is a job-search residence permit with conditions: you need a recognised qualification, basic language skills, enough points if your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany, and proof that you can support yourself. Once you find qualified employment, you switch to a proper work permit or an EU Blue Card.
Who Is Eligible for the Opportunity Card?
There are two ways in. If your foreign qualification is already fully recognised in Germany, or you hold a German degree or vocational qualification, you count as a skilled worker and can receive the card without collecting points. You only need to show you can fund your stay.
Everyone else goes through the points system, and must first meet three basic conditions:
- A university degree, or a vocational qualification that took at least two years, that is recognised by the state in the country where you earned it
- German at level A1 or English at level B2, proven by a recognised certificate
- Enough money to cover your living costs for the whole stay
If you meet all three, you then need at least six points.
How Does the Points Table Work?
Points are awarded for qualifications, experience, language, age and ties to Germany. The table reflects the criteria published by the German government at the time of writing. Check the “Make it in Germany” portal for the current version and use its self-check tool before you apply.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Foreign qualification partially recognised in Germany, or compensatory measures required for a regulated profession | 4 |
| At least five years of relevant work experience in the last seven years | 3 |
| At least two years of relevant work experience in the last five years | 2 |
| German at B2 or higher | 3 |
| German at B1 | 2 |
| German at A2 | 1 |
| English at C1 or native speaker | 1 |
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Age 35 to 40 | 1 |
| Qualification in a shortage occupation | 1 |
| Previous legal stay in Germany of at least six months in the last five years, excluding tourism | 1 |
| Spouse or partner also qualifies and applies with you | 1 |
A worked example
Take a 29-year-old accountant with a bachelor’s degree, six years of experience, German at A2 and English at C1. She scores two points for age, three for experience, one for German and one for English. That is seven points, enough to qualify without any recognition procedure in Germany.
A 42-year-old technician with A1 German, three years of experience and no English certificate would score only two points. He would need to improve his German or obtain partial recognition before applying.
How Much Money Do You Need to Show?
You must prove that you can pay for your living costs for the full period of the card. The benchmark is a little over €1,000 a month, roughly €1,100 at the time of writing, which adds up to around €13,000 for a year. The exact figure is updated periodically, so confirm it on the website of the German mission in your country.
You can prove funds in three ways:
- A blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a provider accepted by the German authorities. The money is released to you in monthly instalments after arrival.
- A declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a person living in Germany who formally agrees to cover your costs.
- A part-time employment contract for up to 20 hours a week, where the income covers all or part of the requirement.
Blocked account providers charge set-up and monthly fees, and your bank will charge for the international transfer. Compare the total cost, including the exchange rate, before you pick a provider.
What Work Can You Do on the Opportunity Card?
The card is for job hunting, but it comes with limited work rights so that you can support yourself and test employers.
- Part-time work: up to 20 hours a week in any job, including roles unrelated to your qualification.
- Trial work: up to two weeks per employer, as long as the trial is aimed at qualified employment, an apprenticeship or a recognition measure.
You cannot work full-time on the card itself. When you receive an offer for a full-time skilled job, you apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to change your permit before you start. Part-time jobs must pay at least the statutory minimum wage, which is €13.90 an hour in 2026 and rises to €14.60 in January 2027.
How Long Is It Valid and Can You Extend It?
The Opportunity Card is issued for up to one year. It cannot simply be renewed for another year of searching.
There is one follow-up option. If you have a concrete offer of qualified employment but do not yet meet the requirements for another work permit, the immigration office can grant a follow-up Opportunity Card for up to two more years, subject to approval by the Federal Employment Agency. If you leave Germany without finding work, you normally have to wait before applying for a new card.
How Do You Convert It Into a Work Permit or Blue Card?
The point of the card is to move on from it. Your main options are:
- EU Blue Card: a degree plus a job paying at least €50,700 gross in 2026, or €45,934.20 in shortage occupations and for recent graduates. IT specialists with three years of relevant experience can qualify without a degree.
- Skilled worker permit: under section 18a for vocational qualifications or section 18b for academic ones, once your qualification is recognised.
- Experience-based permit: for non-regulated professions, with at least two years of experience, a state-recognised foreign qualification and a salary above the set threshold.
- Recognition partnership: you start working while completing the recognition process, with your employer’s support.
We compare these permits in detail in our guide to the Germany employment visa and who is eligible. If you work in software, our walkthrough on getting sponsored for tech jobs in Germany covers portals and the German-style CV.
How to Apply via the Consular Services Portal
- Run the self-check. Use the official self-check to confirm you meet the basic conditions and count your points honestly.
- Verify your qualification. Look up your university and degree in the anabin database. If the entry is unclear, apply to the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) for a Statement of Comparability or the confirmation used for the Opportunity Card. Vocational qualifications need proof of state recognition in your home country.
- Take a language test. Book a recognised exam such as Goethe, telc or ÖSD for German, or IELTS or TOEFL for English.
- Arrange your funds. Open a blocked account or obtain a declaration of commitment.
- Buy health insurance. You need cover valid from the day you arrive. Travel or incoming insurance is accepted for the visa; you move to German statutory or private insurance once you take up employment.
- Apply online. Create an account on the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office, complete the Opportunity Card application and upload your documents.
- Attend your appointment. After a preliminary check, the mission or its service provider invites you to submit originals and biometrics and pay the national visa fee of €75.
- Register after arrival. Register your address at the local residents’ office, then book an appointment at the immigration office to receive the residence permit card.
Processing times vary widely between missions, from a few weeks to several months. Apply well before you plan to travel.
What the whole move will cost
Apart from the blocked account, budget for a language exam, the ZAB statement at roughly €200, certified translations, the visa fee, flights and a rental deposit. German landlords can ask for up to three months’ basic rent as a deposit, and furnished short-term rooms in cities such as Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin are expensive.
Many newcomers start in a shared flat, known as a WG, and move once they have a job and a SCHUFA credit record. Open a German bank account early, as employers and landlords expect one.
Before you pay anyone
The Opportunity Card has attracted agents who sell “guaranteed Chancenkarte approval” or packages with a job attached. No agent can guarantee a visa, and you do not need a job offer to apply. Apply only through the official Consular Services Portal and the mission’s appointed service provider.
Be wary of blocked account offers from unknown companies, and never pay anyone for a job offer. If you need help, use a licensed lawyer or the free advice services listed on the “Make it in Germany” portal. If you have no degree or formal training, the card is not for you; see our guide to jobs in Germany without a degree for the routes that may fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my family on the Opportunity Card?
Family reunification is generally not available during the job-search phase. Your spouse can apply for their own Opportunity Card if they qualify, which also earns you a point. Once you hold a Blue Card or skilled worker permit, normal family reunification rules apply.
Does time on the Opportunity Card count towards permanent residence?
The qualifying periods for a settlement permit are tied to holding a skilled work permit or Blue Card and paying pension contributions. Do not assume your job-search year counts. Ask your immigration office how your own timeline will be calculated.
Can I apply from inside Germany?
In some cases. People already living in Germany with a valid residence permit, for example after studies or vocational training, can apply at their local immigration office. Visitors on a Schengen visa cannot switch and must apply from abroad.
Is German really necessary if I have English at B2?
Legally, no. English at B2 satisfies the basic language condition. In practice, most jobs outside tech, research and international firms require German, and each level you gain adds points and improves your chances of finding work within the year.
What happens if I do not find a job within a year?
You have to leave Germany when the card expires unless you qualify for another permit. Plan your search before you arrive, line up interviews for your first weeks, and keep enough savings for a return flight.
Bottom Line
The Opportunity Card is a genuine way to search for work in Germany without an offer, provided you have a recognised qualification, language skills and around a year’s living costs. Count your points with the official self-check, apply through the Consular Services Portal, and use the year to land a job that qualifies you for a Blue Card or skilled worker permit.