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 ✓
Dated verdict context
Germany Chancenkarte calculator verdict context
Verified 2026-07-01
The calculator verdict should be read against the current 6-point route or the full-recognition route, plus financial proof of about EUR 1,091 per month (EUR 13,092 for 12 months).
A points pass is only useful if the baseline gates are also met: recognised qualification or vocational training, German A1 or English B2, and financial proof for the search period.
Points threshold
6 points
Full recognition can waive the points test; otherwise the points route needs 6 or more.
Monthly financial proof
EUR 1,091
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.
12-month blocked account
EUR 13,092
Shown separately from sunk costs because the funds are normally released back monthly after arrival.
Initial salary floor
No fixed initial floor
Chancenkarte does not set an initial salary floor. A job offer meeting the relevant skilled-worker floor converts the card into a residence title.
Effective 2024-06-01 - Make it in Germany — Chancenkarte
Limits
- The calculator does not decide qualification recognition, appointment access or document acceptance.
- Financial-proof figures can be satisfied through a blocked account or qualifying part-time contract evidence.
- The later conversion into another German residence title can add salary or job-offer requirements.
Germany Opportunity Card answer stack
Germany Chancenkarte points, funds and conversion answer
The calculator score only answers the points grid. Use this stack to keep the baseline gates and blocked-account cash-flow next to the score.
Eligibility branch
Full recognition waives the points test. Everyone else needs at least 6 points across the grid plus the mandatory baseline.
Baseline means recognised degree or 2-year vocational training, German A1 or English B2, and financial proof.
Points grid
Partial recognition or a regulated-profession licence gives 4 points; experience can add 2 or 3; German can add up to 3; English C1, shortage occupation, prior stay and spouse factors add 1 each.
The calculator uses the same deterministic grid.
Funds and sunk cost
Show about €1,091/month, or €13,092 for a 12-month blocked account.
Paid-away mandatory range: €551-€1,115. Show-only refundable range: €13,092.
Application and conversion
Visa fee €75; language test €130-€200 where needed; local residence conversion €56-€100 after arrival.
Once a qualifying job is secured, convert toward EU Blue Card, skilled worker or recognition-partnership routes.
- Chancenkarte visa guide
- Chancenkarte cost-to-complete
- Recognition decision tree
- Blue Card vs Chancenkarte
- EU Blue Card guide
- Germany salary thresholds
- How our Chancenkarte figures compare
Source dates: route checked 22 June 2026, cost model checked 1 July 2026. The blocked-account line is €13,092 and is treated as proof of funds, not a market-share or outcome claim.
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) | €208 | 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 1 July 2026.
Recognition before points
The biggest practical branch is whether your qualification gives you the recognition-track Opportunity Card, the 4-point partial-recognition route, or only baseline evidence for the 6-point grid. Use the recognition decision tree before you rely on a score.
Open the Germany recognition decision treeAbout 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.
Calculator provenance
- Rule review date
- 30 May 2026
- Calculation method
- Scores the official Opportunity Card grid, including the full-recognition waiver and the 6-point route.
It does not assess qualification recognition, appointment access, financial evidence, document legalisation, or consular discretion. This independent calculator is for planning only; the authoritative result is the relevant government or caseworker decision.
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.