Opportunity card in Germany , also known as the “Chancenkarte”, has been launched in Germany.
The Opportunity card in Germany allows non-EU Citizens to live in Germany for 12 months. It serves as a Visa For Germany letting you search for a Full-Time job and work part time during your search.
But there are a few things that most people still do not know about this opportunity card in Germany. So In this guide, i’ll cover what the Opportunity card in Germany is, its requirements, and most Importantly why the Changenkarte or the opportunity card is not a good decision for Everyone.
Opportunity Card in Germany Explained!
What is the Opportunity card in Germany?
Well the Opportunity card or the “Chancenkarte” is the updated version job search visa for Germany. The job search visa allowed you to stay in Germany for 6 months to find a job.
If you found a job, you could convert your visa to a Work Visa or Blue Card. However, you couldn’t work part-time on the job search visa, which meant relying solely on your savings.
Opportunity Card Maximum Duration
Opportunity card changes this. It allows you to stay for 1 year and work part-time (up to 20 hours a week). Helping you cover expenses while searching for a job.
This visa can be extended for 2 more years. But this is where most people get it wrong. You only have 1 year to find the job and not 3 years. According to the official wording
In cases where the job search leads to qualified employment but not all of the requirements for an employment are met, the opportunity card can be extended for up to two years with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
This means that if you have found a job within the 1 year period on the Changenkarte or the opportunity card but there are still some additional requirements for your job. Only then will you be able to extend the visa for upto 2 more years. Even then the extension depends on the Federal Employment Agency.
Getting Opportunity Card longer than 1 year?
Here I can think of a regulated profession like a Doctor. Even though the doctors degree might be recognized, the regulated profession needs additional exams like a Fachsprachprüfung or Specialized Language Test and Kenntnisprüfung or Knowledge Test. These tests can take multiple years to pass and fulfill the additional requirements.
This means that for most people there is No extension of the Opportunity card, and they will only have 1 year to find a job so please keep that in mind!
Path to Citizenship with Opportunity Card in Germany
With the opportunity card in Germany, you can come to Germany for 1 year to find a job. Once you secure a job, you can convert your visa to a Work Visa or Blue Card, depending on your profession and skills.
If you get a Blue Card, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after 21 months with the help of a B1 Certificate
Based on the New German Immigration Law, you can apply for citizenship in only 3 years if you can prove your Integration in Germany. Otherwise Staying in Germany legally for 5 years can make you eligible for citizenship.
Thus, the Opportunity card in Germany sets you up for a long-term future in Germany, including PR and a passport. I have a detailed guide on other paths to citizenship in Germany.
Related Guide: How to become a German Citizen – All possible visa routes
Requirements for Opportunity Card in Germany
Previously, you needed a university degree in most work visa situations to come to Germany. Now, you can also come with a recognized diploma or vocational training from Your home country.
Mandatory Requirements for the Opportunity Card in Germany
To qualify for the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) without using the points system, you must meet these three key requirements:
1. Education
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree recognized in Germany, OR
- A diploma recognized in your home country.
2. Language Skills
- A1 level German OR
- B2 level English (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 – 6.0).
3. Proof of Living Expenses
- Open a blocked account with at least €12,324, OR
- Secure a part-time job in Germany.
If you meet these three conditions, you automatically qualify for the Opportunity Card. If not, you can still apply through a points-based system.
Points System for the Opportunity Card in Germany
If your degree is not fully recognized, you can qualify by earning at least 6 points across four categories:
1. Education & Work Experience
- 4 Points → Partially recognized degree
- 3 Points → 5 years of work experience (within the last 7 years)
- 2 Points → 2 years of work experience (within the last 5 years)
2. Language Skills
- 3 Points → B2 German proficiency
- 2 Points → B1 German proficiency
- 1 Point → A2 German proficiency
- 1 Point → C1/C2 English certificate
3. Age
- 2 Points → 35 years or younger
- 1 Point → 36–45 years old
4. Life Situation
- 1 Point → Lived in Germany legally for 6+ months (e.g., student, spouse, or researcher visa)
- 1 Point → Spouse is also eligible for the Opportunity Card
How to Check Your Eligibility for the Opportunity card
To see if you qualify, visit the official Opportunity Card eligibility website. Simply:
- Select your country.
- Enter your qualification details (degree recognition status).
- Add your language skills, age, work experience, and any time spent in Germany.
- Check if your spouse is also eligible.
At the end, you’ll receive your score. You can adjust your answers to see if you qualify.
nce, Bottleneck professions ( which I will also discuss later in the video), then time spent in Germany and finally is your partner also eligible for Opportunity card. At the end you will get the score, you can modify your answers if you think you made a mistake and see if you are eligible or not.
Checking Degree Recognition for Opportunity Card
To verify if your degree or diploma is recognized in Germany, follow these steps:
Step 1: Check the Anabin Database
Visit the Anabin Database to check both your university and degree recognition status. Since the website is in German, use Google Translate if needed.
- Check Your University Status:
- Go to the Institutions section.
- Select “Suchen” (Search) and enter your country and university name.
- Status meanings:
- H+ → Fully recognized
- H- → Not recognized
- H+/- → Partially recognized
- Check Your Degree Recognition:
- Navigate to the Degree section.
- Enter your country and search for your degree title.
Step 2: What If Your Degree Is Not Recognized?
If your degree is not fully recognized, you’ll need an official evaluation from the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education).
- Visit the ZAB website.
- Create an account and enter your university details.
- Apply for degree evaluation (cost: €208).
Bottleneck Professions in Germany
Bottleneck professions are high-demand job sectors where skilled workers are in short supply. Some of the key bottleneck professions in Germany include:
- Healthcare: Nurses, Medical Assistants, Pharmacists
- Construction & Engineering: Architects (Urban & Infrastructure), Metal Construction, Mechanics
- Childcare & Hospitality: Childcare Professionals, Hotel & Catering Services
- Transport & Logistics: Bus Drivers
- IT & Tech: Various IT Sector Jobs
Is the Opportunity Card Right for You?
While the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a great way to enter Germany, it’s not for everyone. Setting realistic expectations is crucial. Here’s why:
1. Language Barrier
Even if your field doesn’t require German, daily life in Germany does. You’ll need at least B1 German proficiency to function smoothly. Without it, adjusting to life—let alone finding a job—will be a challenge.
Imagine someone moving to your country without speaking the language. They might survive in big cities, but they’ll struggle in smaller towns. The same applies in Germany.
2. The Reality of the Worker Shortage
You’ve probably read countless articles about Germany’s skilled worker shortage. But here’s the truth:
- Yes, there’s a shortage, but not in every sector and not everywhere.
- Most shortages exist in bottleneck professions (e.g., construction, carpentry, nursing, bus drivers).
- High-demand fields like IT and engineering have fierce competition in big cities.
Most Opportunity Card applicants are in non-bottleneck professions and want to live in major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. But job opportunities are often in smaller cities, where English-speaking jobs are rare.
The IT sector, for example, is currently unstable, with many professionals facing layoffs and pay cuts.
How to Maximize Your Chancenkarte Success
To increase your chances of securing a job and staying in Germany, follow these three key steps:
1. Be Prepared for Job Market Challenges
Your visa extension depends on finding a relevant job in the field you applied for. Be aware that securing full-time employment might take time.
2. Achieve at Least B1 German Proficiency
Even if B1 is the official requirement, real-life communication skills are often closer to A2 level. Anything below that means you’ll spend more time learning German than job-hunting.
3. Be Open to Relocation
While big cities have jobs, they might not be the right fit for your field. Be ready to move to smaller cities where opportunities may be more accessible.
Final Thoughts
The Opportunity Card is a fantastic chance to work in Germany, but it’s not a guaranteed success. By learning German, staying flexible, and managing expectations, you’ll give yourself the best shot at making the most of this opportunity.
I hope this guide helps you understand the Opportunity card in Germany (Chancenkarte) better—both its benefits and realities.
Disclaimer: None of the content in this article is meant to be considered as legal, tax or investment advice, as I am not a financial expert or a lawyer and am only sharing my experience with stock investing. The information is based on my own research and is only accurate at the time of posting this article but may not be accurate at the time you are reading it.