Germany — Federal Government (§20a AufenthG)
Germany Chancenkarte points calculator
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) lets skilled workers from any non-EU country move to Germany without a job offer to look for work. You qualify either by proving full recognition of your qualification, or by scoring at least 6 points across the official grid — on top of a mandatory baseline (a degree or 2 years vocational training, German A1 or English B2, and financial proof). This tool scores the grid against the current rules.
Meets the 6-point threshold
11 / 6 points
- Qualification recognition · Partial recognition or licence to practise a regulated profession
- +4
- Work experience · ≥5 years in the learned occupation (last 7 years)
- +3
- German language · German B1
- +2
- Age · Aged 35 or under
- +2
Baseline qualification (degree or 2y vocational): met ✓
Baseline language (German A1 or English B2): met ✓
Financial proof for the search period: met ✓
Worked examples
Typical profiles scored against the official grid. The points and verdict below are produced by the same calculator above.
| Profile | Detail | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian software engineer, 30 | Degree with partial recognition, 5+ years experience, English C1, no German yet. | 10 / 6 | Qualifies |
| Filipino registered nurse, 32 | Partial recognition, healthcare shortage occupation, German B1. | 9 / 6 | Qualifies |
| Turkish engineer, 30 | Partial recognition, German B1, under 35. | 8 / 6 | Qualifies |
| Ukrainian professional, 30 (in Germany under §24) | Partial recognition, German B1, prior 6-month stay under temporary protection. | 9 / 6 | Qualifies |
| Recent graduate, 26, English only | Degree, no recognition yet, English B2 baseline, no experience — falls short of 6. | 2 / 6 | Does not qualify |
| Fully recognised professional, 45 | Full recognition waives the points test despite a low score and age 45. | 1 / 6 | Qualifies (recognition track) |
| Strong languages, no formal qualification | Scores 6 on languages + age but has neither a degree nor 2y vocational training — baseline gate fails. | 6 / 6 | Does not qualify |
Points shown are the grid score; "qualifies" also requires the mandatory baseline to be met. The recognition-track example scores below 6 but qualifies because full recognition waives the points test.
What it actually costs
What it actually costs to land a Germany Opportunity Card and search for work — every line itemised, with the refundable blocked-account funds separated from money you never see again.
Money you don't get back
€551–€1,115
Mandatory fees, services and one month of insurance.
Proof of funds (returned to you)
€13,092
Proof of funds, NOT a sunk cost: 12 × €1,091 is released back to you monthly after arrival. A ≤20h/week contract covering €1,091/month can substitute.
| Cost line | Amount | Type | When / who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consular visa application fee | €75 | Gov fee | Paid in local currency at the German mission. Auswärtiges Amt — visa fees |
| Blocked account (Sperrkonto) funding | €13,092 | Proof of funds | Proof of funds, NOT a sunk cost: 12 × €1,091 is released back to you monthly after arrival. A ≤20h/week contract covering €1,091/month can substitute. Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card finances |
| Blocked-account provider setup + admin(optional)· indicative | €49–€99 | Service | Opening + handling fee at providers such as Fintiba, Expatrio or Coracle. Blocked-account providers (Fintiba / Expatrio) |
| ZAB Statement of Comparability(optional) | €200 | Gov fee | Only if your degree is not listed / not clearly equivalent on Anabin (6–12 week turnaround). KMK — Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) |
| German language test (A1 baseline)· indicative | €130–€200 | Service | Goethe-Institut / telc A1 exam fee, unless you qualify on English B2 instead. Higher German levels (A2/B1/B2) cost more but earn points. Goethe-Institut — exam fees |
| Certified document translations· indicative | €150–€400all documents | Service | Sworn-translator rates, typically €30–€70 per document across degree, transcripts, employment certificates. Indicative sworn-translator rates |
| Document apostille / legalisation· indicative | €20–€150 | Service | Varies sharply by country: a single Hague apostille is cheap; full consular legalisation chains (e.g. Vietnam, pre-2024 Egypt) cost more and take longer. Country-specific — verify with your foreign ministry |
| Health insurance during the job search· indicative | €110–€170month | Insurance | Statutory or recognised private cover required from the entry date. Budget for the full search period (up to 12 months). Indicative expat/private cover rates |
| Residence-permit conversion (Ausländerbehörde) | €56–€100 | Gov fee | Charged when you convert the visa into the residence-permit card after arrival; varies by Land. German foreigners authorities (varies by Land) |
| Biometric photos· indicative | €10–€20 | Service | Indicative |
Sunk-cost range sums every mandatory, non-refundable line (one month of insurance counted; budget more for a longer search). The €13,092 blocked-account deposit is shown separately because it is returned to you. Optional lines (ZAB, provider admin) are excluded from the mandatory total. Indicative lines are editorial estimates — verify the current figure before relying on it. Last checked 30 May 2026.
About this calculator
The Chancenkarte launched on 1 June 2024 under the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz). It is the only major German residence permit that requires neither an employer nor a job offer at application. This calculator implements the points grid set out in §20a AufenthG and published on the Federal Government's self-check tool. It does not assess qualification recognition itself (check Anabin / order a ZAB Statement of Comparability), consular appointment availability, or document legalisation — all of which are part of a real application.
Primary source
Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card self-check
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card/self-check
Last reviewed: 2026-05-30. Statutory basis: §20a AufenthG.
FAQs
How many points do I need for the Chancenkarte?
At least 6 points across the official grid (qualification recognition, language, work experience, shortage occupation, age, prior stay in Germany, and a jointly-qualifying spouse). Alternatively, full recognition of your foreign qualification waives the points test entirely. The 6-point minimum is set in §20a AufenthG.
What is the mandatory baseline that earns no points?
Before any points count, you must hold a recognised university degree OR at least 2 years of vocational training, plus German A1 OR English B2, plus financial proof for the search period (about €1,091/month, normally evidenced as ≈€13,092 blocked for 12 months). These are gates, not points — you can score 6+ and still be refused if a baseline element is missing.
How are the language points awarded?
German B2 or higher = 3 points, B1 = 2, A2 = 1 (A1 is the no-points baseline). Separately, English C1 or higher = 1 point (B2 is the baseline). German and English points stack, so strong German plus C1 English can add up to 4 points on language alone.
Does this calculator decide my application?
No. It implements the published points grid so you can self-assess before applying, exactly as the consulate expects you to. The authoritative decision is made by the German mission and the Ausländerbehörde against your underlying evidence. Inflating a score (for example claiming B1 with only an A2 certificate) typically results in refusal.
Is my data stored?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser from your inputs — no sign-up, no storage, no third-party trackers. Refresh the page to clear the form.