Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 25 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.

Overview

The Opportunity Card is a residence permit issued for a maximum of one year. German missions abroad describe two routes: direct access and a points system.

A permit holder may do trial work or part-time work of up to 20 hours per week, according to the German mission page.

Who it is for

Route 1 (direct access): applicants whose qualification is fully equivalent and who are skilled workers under section 18 III of the Residence Act. No points are needed if they can secure their livelihood.

Route 2 (points system): all other applicants. They need a foreign higher education degree, a recognised vocational qualification of at least two years, or a vocational qualification from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. They also need German at A1 or English at B2.

Points system

The official pages say a minimum of 6 points must be reached. Criteria named on the German mission page: recognition of qualifications in Germany, language skills, work experience, age, connection to Germany, and the potential of an accompanying partner.

The pages fetched do not give the point value for each category. The Make it in Germany self-check is the place the sources point to for scoring. One page states that when a spouse or partner also holds or applies for an Opportunity Card and travels together, one of the two can earn 1 additional point.

Financial proof

Living costs can be shown by a blocked account or a formal declaration of commitment. A permitted side job can be taken into account if foreseeable.

A Make it in Germany factsheet states a blocked account of at least EUR 1,091 per month (as of 2026). An older embassy page stated EUR 1,027 per month (2024), so the amount changes. Check the page of the mission that handles your application.

Health insurance: the German mission page asks for incoming insurance valid in the Schengen area, with minimum cover of EUR 30,000, valid up to one year.

How it works

Applications are made at the German mission responsible for your place of residence. Processing time given by one mission page is about 4 weeks after the complete documents are submitted.

• Check which route applies (direct access or points).
• Gather the documents the responsible mission lists.
• Apply and attend the appointment with originals and one set of copies.
• If you find a job, you can change to a residence permit for employment or apply to extend the card. The follow-on application must be made before the card expires.

What to check on the official page

Point values per category, the current blocked-account amount, fees and document lists can differ by mission and change over time. Confirm them on the page of the mission that handles your application.

This platform does not submit applications. You apply through the authority's own channels.

What changes often

The blocked-account amount is updated over time (EUR 1,027 per month was cited for 2024, EUR 1,091 for 2026). Fees, document lists and processing times vary by mission. Re-check the official page before applying.