The Chancenkarte has a points problem. You need 6. Most applicants have 3 or 4. The fastest way to close the gap? Learn German. Moving from A1 to A2 gives you 1 extra point. Moving from A2 to B2 gives you 2 more. That single investment — a few months at a language school — is often the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) under § 20a AufenthG launched on June 1, 2024. It gives skilled workers from outside the EU 12 months to search for a job in Germany — without needing a concrete job offer first. The points system determines who qualifies. German language skills are the fastest lever most applicants can actually pull.
This guide shows you exactly how the points work, what each German level is worth, and how five real-world profiles change when someone starts learning German. Use our Chancenkarte calculator to see your own score.
The Chancenkarte is a job-seeker visa for qualified workers. Unlike a standard work visa, it does not require a signed employment contract before you arrive. You come to Germany, spend up to 12 months searching, and convert to a work visa once you find a suitable employer.
The legal basis is § 20a Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG). To apply, you need:
About 5,000 Chancenkarten were issued by end of 2024. By mid-2025, the number reached approximately 11,500. Demand is growing — and so is competition.
For the full overview including the application process and required documents, see our Chancenkarte guide.
The Chancenkarte points scale has six categories. You need a minimum of 6 points. There is no maximum — more points strengthen your application and improve your chances with employers.
| Category | Criteria | Points |
|---|---|---|
| German language | A2 level | 1 |
| B1 level | 2 | |
| B2 or higher | 3 | |
| English language | C1 or higher | 1 |
| Age | Under 35 | 2 |
| 35 to 40 | 1 | |
| Over 40 | 0 | |
| Work experience | 2 to 4 years in your field | 2 |
| 5 or more years in your field | 3 | |
| Shortage occupation | Occupation on the official shortage list | 1 |
| Qualification recognition | Partial recognition of your foreign degree | 4 |
| Previous Germany stay | 6+ months legally in Germany in the past 5 years | 1 |
| Partner | Partner qualifies for Chancenkarte independently | 1 |
One important note: the A1 German or B2 English requirement is a threshold — not a points category. You must cross it to apply at all. But points only start counting from A2 German upward.
This is the section most applicants skip. It is also the most important.
German is the only category where you can earn up to 3 points from a single skill. Age and experience are fixed — you cannot change them. A shortage occupation depends on your field. But you can learn German. Anyone can.
Here is what each level is worth:
| German Level | Points | Approximate Time to Reach from Zero |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 0 (entry threshold only) | 3-4 months |
| A2 | 1 | 5-7 months |
| B1 | 2 | 9-12 months |
| B2 | 3 | 14-18 months |
Going from no German to B2 takes roughly 14-18 months of consistent study. That sounds like a long time. But the reward is 3 points — potentially the margin that qualifies you.
Going from A1 (where you may already be if you applied before) to B2 adds 3 points. For many applicants, that turns a rejected application into an approved one.
If your German is not yet at B2, a C1 English certificate adds 1 point. For applicants from English-speaking countries, or those with strong academic English, this can be a quick extra point. However, it does not replace German — it supplements it. And German gives 3 points vs. English giving 1.
These five scenarios show how German language skills shift real outcomes. Each profile represents a common applicant type.
| Profile | Without German | With A2 German | With B2 German |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian IT engineer, 28, 4 years exp. | 4 pts | 5 pts | 7 pts ✓ |
| Filipino nurse, 32, 6 years exp. | 5 pts | 6 pts ✓ | 8 pts ✓ |
| Turkish mechanic, 38, 3 years exp. | 3 pts | 4 pts | 6 pts ✓ |
| Brazilian business grad, 26, 1 year exp. | 2 pts | 3 pts | 5 pts |
| Chinese architect, 41, 8 years exp. | 3 pts | 4 pts | 6 pts ✓ |
Detailed breakdowns for each profile follow below.
Rajan is 28 years old. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and 4 years of professional experience as a software developer. His occupation is on the shortage list.
Without German (meets A1 threshold via B2 English):
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (2-4 years) | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
One point short. Rajan cannot apply.
With A2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (2-4 years) | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| Total | 6 |
He qualifies — but only barely. Employers receiving his application will notice that his German is at A2.
With B2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (2-4 years) | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| Total | 8 |
Rajan now has 8 points, well above the minimum. And he can communicate with German colleagues from day one. His chance of converting the Chancenkarte into a real job offer is significantly higher.
Maria is a registered nurse with 6 years of hospital experience. Healthcare is a critical shortage sector in Germany. She is applying via her B2 English.
Without German (entry via B2 English):
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
She is one point short. Without German, Maria cannot apply for the Chancenkarte.
With A2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| Total | 7 |
Now she qualifies. But there is an important practical point here: German hospitals require B2 German for nursing work. Even if the Chancenkarte gets Maria to Germany, she cannot actually start nursing without B2. The Chancenkarte period is the right time to reach B2 — but starting with A2 puts her much closer.
With B2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Maria arrives with 9 points and can start working immediately once she finds an employer. For nurses, our guide on German language requirements for healthcare explains exactly what B2 means in a clinical setting.
Mehmet is a 38-year-old mechatronics technician. He has 3 years of experience. His age puts him in the 35-40 bracket, so he earns only 1 age point.
Without German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 35-40 | 1 |
| Work experience (2-4 years) | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
Three points. He needs 6. Even with A2 German, he reaches only 4. But B2 German changes the calculation entirely.
With B2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 35-40 | 1 |
| Work experience (2-4 years) | 2 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| Total | 7 |
Without German, Mehmet has no realistic path to the Chancenkarte. With B2, he qualifies comfortably. German is not optional for him — it is the only route. For Mehmet, a 12-18 month language program before applying is the right strategy.
Find accredited language schools in Germany via our school search.
Luisa is 26 with a business administration degree. She graduated last year and has 1 year of professional experience. She does not yet meet the minimum 2 years of experience required for any work experience points.
With B2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Work experience (under 2 years) | 0 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| Total | 5 |
Luisa reaches only 5 points even with B2 German. She is one point short. Her options:
For Luisa, B2 German is essential but not sufficient on its own. Timing and experience accumulation matter.
Wei is 41. He has 8 years of experience as an architect and a recognized degree. Architecture is on the shortage list in several German federal states.
Without German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age over 40 | 0 |
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
With A2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
With B2 German:
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Work experience (5+ years) | 3 |
| Shortage occupation | 1 |
| German B2 | 3 |
| Total | 7 |
Wei’s age works against him — he earns zero age points. German compensates for that. Without B2, he falls short. With B2, he qualifies with margin to spare. At 41, Wei likely has the financial stability and professional motivation to invest seriously in language learning. A full-time intensive German course — typically 18-20 hours per week — can get him to B2 in under 18 months.
Financial proof is mandatory. You must show 1,091 EUR per month for your planned stay (up to 12 months). The standard method is a Sperrkonto (blocked account) — a German bank account where you deposit the full amount upfront, and the bank releases exactly 1,091 EUR each month.
| Duration | Monthly Amount | Total Required |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 1,091 EUR | 3,273 EUR |
| 6 months | 1,091 EUR | 6,546 EUR |
| 12 months | 1,091 EUR | 13,092 EUR |
The amount is the same as for the language course visa (§ 16f). Providers such as Expatrio, Fintiba, and Studely all offer Sperrkonto services that German embassies accept.
If you have a legally resident partner in Germany with sufficient income, a Verpflichtungserklärung (obligation declaration) can substitute for the Sperrkonto. Scholarships covering at least 1,091 EUR/month are also accepted.
The Chancenkarte is not a passive visa. You can actively work and develop your profile during the search period.
Permitted:
Not permitted:
The 20 hours of part-time work can generate real income. At Germany’s minimum wage of 12.82 EUR/hour in 2026, 20 hours/week yields approximately 1,025 EUR/month before tax. For many applicants, this covers living costs while the Sperrkonto serves as a safety buffer.
The 2-week trial work provision is particularly useful. You can demonstrate your skills to a potential employer without the commitment of a full employment contract. Many Chancenkarte holders convert trial periods into job offers.
The Chancenkarte is a starting point, not an endpoint. Here is the pathway forward.
You arrive, job-search, work part-time, and attend German courses if needed.
Once you find an employer, you convert the Chancenkarte to a qualified employment visa (§ 18 or § 18b AufenthG). You do not need to leave Germany for this — you apply at your local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office).
After 4 years of qualified employment in Germany, you can apply for permanent residence. Requirements include:
After 5 years of legal residence (or 3 years for exceptional integration), German citizenship is possible. Germany allowed dual citizenship from November 2024, which makes naturalization far more attractive for many nationalities.
The German language requirement escalates along this path. A1 gets you through the Chancenkarte threshold. A2 gets you points. B1 unlocks permanent residence. B2 is what employers actually expect. C1 is where you become fluent in a professional context.
Starting early with German — even before applying for the Chancenkarte — is consistently the most efficient long-term strategy.
The profiles above illustrate common cases. Your situation is unique.
Use our Chancenkarte calculator to enter your exact profile: age, experience, field, current German level, and other factors. The calculator shows your current score, what you are missing, and which categories are most worth investing in.
If your score is below 6, the calculator will also show you the shortest path to qualifying — including how much German you need.
Yes, A1 German meets the minimum language threshold required to apply. However, A1 earns zero points in the scoring system — it is only the entry requirement. To start accumulating points, you need at least A2. If you have A1 German and B2 English, you meet the threshold via English and can still earn points in other categories. But most applicants without B2 English will need at least A2 German to have a realistic shot at 6 points.
It depends on your starting point. From zero, reaching A2 takes approximately 5-7 months of structured study. Reaching B2 takes 14-18 months. If you study at an intensive German course in Germany (18+ hours per week), progress is faster — many students reach B1 in 6 months of intensive study. An intensive German language course in Germany also gives you the visa option under § 16f while you build your score.
No. The Chancenkarte is open to anyone with a recognized vocational or university qualification of at least 2 years. This includes trade certifications, nursing diplomas, and technical vocational qualifications. The qualification must either already be recognized in Germany or be in the process of recognition. For details on recognition pathways, the German recognition portal (anabin.kmk.org) is the official source.
Germany’s Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) publishes an official shortage occupation list (Engpassberufe). It is updated regularly and includes nursing, care work, mechatronics, electrical engineering, IT professions, certain medical professions, and construction trades. The list changes as labor market conditions shift. Check the current list before assuming your occupation qualifies.
In most cases, you apply at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. If you are already legally in Germany on a different visa (for example, a language course visa or tourist visa from a visa-exempt country), you may be able to apply directly at the local Ausländerbehörde. Whether in-country conversion is permitted depends on your current legal status.
If the 12-month period expires without a qualifying job offer, the Chancenkarte expires and you must leave Germany. You cannot renew it. There is no path to extending the job-search period. This is why serious job preparation — including solid German skills — matters before you arrive, not after.
Yes, but it is not a quick path. Partial recognition (teilweise Anerkennung) means the German recognition authorities have reviewed your foreign qualification and determined it is equivalent to a German qualification with some gaps. The process can take 3-6 months and requires submitting original documents. If you are already pursuing recognition and have received a partial decision, those 4 points can be decisive. If you have not started the process, it is worth beginning in parallel with language learning.
You need either A1 German (certified by a recognized exam such as the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 or telc Deutsch A1) or B2 English (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) as a mandatory threshold. Without meeting at least one of these, your application is rejected regardless of your points total. Points from A2 German upward are calculated separately and added on top of meeting the threshold.
Yes. Spouses and minor children can accompany you to Germany under the Chancenkarte. Your spouse may also work — they are permitted to take up employment without restrictions. This is a significant advantage over some other visa categories that restrict spousal employment.
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