The Chancenkarte in Germany: Requirements, Points, and Documents in 2026
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Chancenkarte, or Opportunity Card, is a German residence permit for seeking qualified employment or measures to have foreign qualifications recognised. It is governed by Sections 20a and 20b of the Aufenthaltsgesetz and is intended for third-country nationals who want to come to Germany without an existing employment contract but can prove their education, means of subsistence and—if required—a minimum of 6 points under the official system.
The Opportunity Card allows you to stay in Germany for up to one year, look for work in your field, take up trial employment and work an average of up to 20 hours per week. Once you find suitable employment, you need to obtain another residence permit or, in some cases, a Folge-Chancenkarte.
What is the Chancenkarte?
The Opportunity Card was introduced as part of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform and has applied since 1 June 2024. It is not a tourist visa and not a permit for any kind of long-term work: its purpose is to give qualified applicants time to find suitable employment in Germany.
In practice, the Chancenkarte is useful if you:
- have a recognised or comparable qualification and want to look for work while already in Germany;
- do not have a job offer, but can prove vocational training, language skills and the required number of points;
- are prepared to demonstrate sufficient funds for the planned period of stay;
- plan to switch to a work-related residence permit after finding employment, for example as a Fachkraft or under the EU Blue Card.
Two routes to the Opportunity Card
The requirements depend on whether the applicant is considered a Fachkraft under German law.
If your qualification is recognised
If you have a German qualification, a recognised foreign vocational qualification, or a foreign university degree that is recognised or comparable to a German one, the points system is usually not required. In that case, the key issues are proving qualified-professional status and sufficient means of subsistence.
For university degrees, the Anabin database is often used: the university must have H+ status and the specific degree must be listed as corresponding or conditionally comparable. If Anabin does not contain enough information, an assessment of the degree through ZAB may be needed. The process differs for non-academic vocational qualifications, so check the rules for recognition of qualifications in Germany in advance.
If you do not have full recognition
If you are not yet considered a Fachkraft, you must meet the basic requirements and score at least 6 points. The basic requirements are:
- vocational training of at least two years or a university degree recognised by the state in the country where it was obtained;
- German at least at A1 or English at least at B2 under the CEFR;
- sufficient funds for the entire period of stay;
- at least 6 points under the criteria of Section 20b AufenthG.
Financial means
For the Opportunity Card in 2026, applicants generally have to demonstrate EUR 1,091 per month. For the standard 12-month period, this is EUR 13,092.
You can prove the funds in several ways:
- a blocked account in Germany, from which only the specified monthly amount can be accessed;
- a Verpflichtungserklärung—an official financial guarantee from a person in Germany;
- an employment contract for permitted part-time work, if the consulate accepts it as part of the proof of funds.
If you have enough money for less than a year, the consulate may consider issuing a visa for a shorter period. This depends on the particular mission and the documents, so check the amount and accepted form of proof against the guidance from the German consulate where you apply.
How points are awarded
Applicants without full recognition of their qualifications need at least 6 points. Points cannot be accumulated without limit within the same category: if you have several language or experience levels, the higher applicable criterion is generally counted.
| Points | Awarded for |
|---|---|
| 4 | Partial recognition of a foreign vocational qualification or permission to practise a regulated profession, where applicable. |
| 3 | German at B2. |
| 3 | At least 5 years of professional experience in the past 7 years in the qualification obtained. |
| 2 | German at B1. |
| 2 | At least 2 years of professional experience in the past 5 years in the qualification obtained. |
| 2 | Under 35 years of age. |
| 1 | German at A2. |
| 1 | English at C1. |
| 1 | A qualification in a shortage occupation. |
| 1 | Between 35 and 40 years of age. |
| 1 | Lawful residence in Germany for at least 6 months during the past 5 years; tourist trips generally do not count. |
| 1 | A spouse or registered partner also applies for a Chancenkarte and meets the basic requirements. |
Calculation example
An applicant is 25 years old. They have completed two years of vocational training, have two years of experience in their occupation, English at C1 and German at A2. Their qualification is not yet fully recognised in Germany.
The calculation is:
- 2 points for being under 35;
- 2 points for 2 years of relevant experience;
- 1 point for English at C1;
- 1 point for German at A2.
Total: 6 points, so the minimum threshold is met. However, the calculation itself does not replace a document review: the consulate checks proof of education, experience, language skills and funds.
Shortage occupations
You can receive one additional point if your qualification falls within a shortage group. Official lists commonly include the following fields:
- managers in manufacturing, construction, procurement and logistics;
- IT management and information and communications technology professionals;
- managers in social, healthcare, educational, financial and insurance services;
- mathematicians, natural scientists, engineers and architects;
- doctors, veterinarians and other medical professionals;
- teachers at different levels of education;
- software developers, systems analysts, database administrators and network specialists.
Do not rely solely on the Russian name of an occupation. For an application, what matters more is how your qualifications and experience correspond to German and international classifications, and to the documents accepted by the specific consulate.
Documents you will usually need
The exact list depends on the country of application. Before booking an appointment, open the current guidance from the German mission, because requirements for copies, translations, legalisation and insurance format differ.
You will usually need:
- a national-visa application form and a valid passport;
- photographs meeting visa requirements;
- proof of education: diplomas, transcripts, translations, Anabin records, a ZAB assessment or recognition documents;
- a language certificate, if needed for your application route: Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, DSD, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate or another accepted certificate;
- a letter of motivation with a realistic job-search plan;
- a CV or a German-style CV;
- proof of professional experience: employment contracts, certificates, references and payslips;
- proof of funds: a Sperrkonto, Verpflichtungserklärung or acceptable evidence of income from part-time work;
- proof of accommodation or the planned place of stay, if the consulate requires it;
- health insurance for entry and the initial period of stay, for example incoming insurance, and, after starting work, suitable statutory or private health insurance.
For Russian citizens, an important separate rule has applied since 1 January 2026: a biometric Russian passport is generally required for a new visa, entry and extension of a German residence permit. An old-style non-biometric passport may be used only in limited transitional cases, for example if it already contains a valid German or Schengen visa issued before that date.
What is permitted during your stay
Under Section 20a AufenthG, a Chancenkarte holder may:
- look for qualified work or measures to have qualifications recognised;
- work an average of up to 20 hours per week;
- take up trial employment for up to two weeks with one employer, provided it relates to qualified work, training or recognition of qualifications.
Permanent full-time work under the Opportunity Card is not the end purpose of this status. Once you find a suitable employer, you must apply to the Ausländerbehörde for the appropriate work-related residence permit. For some applicants, this may be a skilled-worker permit, an EU Blue Card or another suitable residence title.
Can the Chancenkarte be extended?
The initial Such-Chancenkarte is normally issued for a maximum of one year. If qualified employment or a binding job offer is found during that time, a Folge-Chancenkarte may be possible for up to two years. This requires the consent of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and compliance with further conditions.
If there is no job, offer or suitable recognition measure, you cannot rely on an automatic extension. The initial Opportunity Card can be issued again only after a period outside that status comparable to the preceding time spent in Germany under a Chancenkarte.
Frequently asked questions
Do your rights depend on the number of points?
No. Points are needed to qualify for the application if you do not have full recognition. Once the Opportunity Card is issued, having 8 or 10 points does not give you broader rights.
Can I get the card for less than one year?
Yes. The initial Opportunity Card is issued for up to one year. If sufficient funds are demonstrated only for several months, the visa period may be shorter.
How can I prove residence in Germany for an additional point?
Documents showing lawful and actual residence can be used: a rental agreement, registration records, bills for utilities, employment contracts, payslips and tax documents. Tourism usually does not count.
Can I work outside my profession?
Temporary part-time work of up to 20 hours per week is permitted during the search. However, the permanent purpose of the stay is to find qualified work that can support a subsequent residence permit.
Can I work freelance?
The Chancenkarte alone is not a full permit for self-employment. If you plan to freelance or run a business, you need to check whether you can switch to another residence-permit type at the Ausländerbehörde.
Can I bring my family?
Family reunification on the Opportunity Card itself is limited and depends on status, accommodation, income and the individual circumstances. It is generally more reliable to consider moving the family after obtaining a work-related residence permit, or to apply separately if each adult applicant meets the requirements independently.
