Germany Chancenkarte Points Calculator
Find out if you qualify for Germany's Opportunity Card. Answer a few questions, see your score instantly, and get clear next steps. No job offer required.
Every applicant must meet all three of the following conditions. If even one is missing, points are irrelevant. You are not eligible for the Chancenkarte.
Do you meet the mandatory requirements?
Answer honestly. These determine whether the points calculator applies to you.
What is the Chancenkarte and how does it work?
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a points-based job-seeker visa introduced in Germany on 1 June 2024. It is governed by §20a of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) and replaces the previous Job Seeker Visa that was available only to nationals of countries with specific bilateral agreements.
The key difference from the old visa is significant: the Chancenkarte is valid for up to 12 months (vs 6 months previously), allows you to work part-time up to 20 hours per week while searching for a job, and, crucially, your foreign degree does not need to be formally recognised before you apply. You simply need to score at least 6 points from the official criteria.
The points system awards a maximum of 12 points across five categories: your qualification (up to 6 points), professional experience (up to 3), age (up to 2), language skills in German and English (up to 4), and existing connections to Germany (up to 2). The minimum threshold to qualify is 6 points.
Before points even matter, all applicants must satisfy three mandatory prerequisites: a recognised university degree or at least two years of accredited vocational training; proof of financial means; and a minimum language level of German A1 or English B2. For financial proof, most applicants use a blocked account (Sperrkonto), a special account that holds approximately €13,092 (€1,091 per month for 12 months, based on the BAföG reference rate) and releases it monthly. Providers such as Expatrio and Fintiba are widely accepted at German embassies worldwide.
Once you are in Germany on the Chancenkarte, you have up to 12 months to find a qualifying job. You can also do short trial periods (Probearbeit) of up to two weeks per employer. If you secure a suitable position, you can convert directly to a skilled worker visa (§18 AufenthG) or an EU Blue Card, without leaving Germany to reapply. Your spouse or partner can accompany you and is permitted to work without restriction. The Chancenkarte is designed exclusively for non-EU nationals; EU citizens already have the right to live and work freely in Germany.