How many points do I need for the Germany Opportunity Card?

You need a minimum of 6 points out of a possible 16. If your foreign qualification is already fully recognised in Germany, or you obtained your qualification in Germany, you bypass the points system entirely and only need to prove financial self-sufficiency.

Can I earn points in both the German and English language categories?

Yes. You can earn up to 3 points for German language proficiency (A2 to B2 or above) and a further 1 point for English at C1 or above, or as a native speaker. These are scored independently, giving up to 4 language points in total.

Germany PR Points Calculator 2026 – Check Your Eligibility Free | TMS Visa

Germany PR Points Calculator 2026 – Check Your Eligibility Free

Germany's Opportunity Card and skilled migration routes assess applicants across factors including age, qualification recognition, work experience, German and English proficiency, prior stay in Germany, and spouse qualification. Use the free calculator below to get an instant estimate of your profile strength, then talk to a TMS Visa expert for a full eligibility assessment.

Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by the TMS Visa immigration team

Germany PR Calculator

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Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator 2026 | TMS Visa

Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator 2026 – Chancenkarte Eligibility

Last updated: August 2026 — verified against the official Make it in Germany portal.

Find Out If You Qualify for Germany's Chancenkarte Visa – In Minutes

Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) uses a transparent points-based system to assess whether you can enter Germany to search for work under Section 20a of the Residence Act. Unlike a standard work visa, you don't need a job offer in hand – just the right combination of qualifications, experience, and language skills, or a fully recognised qualification.

Use our free calculator above to check your score instantly. You need a minimum of 6 points to qualify via the points route, out of a possible 16.

How Does the Germany Opportunity Card Points System Work?

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is governed by Section 20a of the German Residence Act. There are two separate ways to qualify, and it's important not to mix them up: one bypasses the points system entirely, the other is scored.

There are two routes to qualify:

Route 1

Skilled Worker – No Points Needed

If your foreign qualification is fully recognised in Germany – or you hold a qualification obtained in Germany – you are treated as a skilled worker and skip the points system entirely. You still need to prove financial self-sufficiency, and while not mandatory here, German language skills are recommended to improve your job prospects.

Route 2

Points System

If you don't have full recognition, you must hold a qualifying degree or vocational training (recognised in the country where you earned it), meet the baseline language requirement, and score at least 6 points from a possible 16 across the categories below.

Factor	Max Points
Partial recognition of your foreign qualification	4
Professional work experience	3
German language proficiency	3
English language proficiency (C1 or native)	1
Age	2
Qualification in a shortage occupation	1
Previous stay in Germany (6+ months)	1
Spouse/partner also meets the requirements	1
Total Possible	16

⚡ You require a minimum of 6 points to qualify for the German Opportunity Card via the points route — out of a maximum of 16 available across all categories combined.

Scoring Categories – Detailed Breakdown

Age

Option	Points
Under 35 years	2
35 to 40 years	1
Over 40 years	0

Age is one of the simplest factors in the calculator. If you're under 35, you earn the full 2 points automatically; this drops to 1 point once you reach 35.

Qualification Recognition

This category only applies within the points route. If your foreign qualification is fully recognised, you don't score points here at all – you qualify automatically under Route 1 instead.

Qualification Status	Points
Fully recognised, or obtained in Germany	0 (qualifies automatically under Route 1 instead)
Partially recognised – you've applied for recognition and received a partial-equivalence decision	4
Not yet assessed / no recognition application made	0

You still receive the 4 points even if, for a regulated profession, you're required to complete compensatory measures before obtaining a licence to practise.

Professional Work Experience

Option	Points
5 or more years of relevant experience in the last 7 years	3
2 or more years of relevant experience in the last 5 years	2
Less than 2 years of relevant experience	0

"Relevant" means experience gained after graduating, in a role related to your qualification. Employer confirmation letters or references serve as proof.

German Language Proficiency

Option	Points
German B2 or higher	3
German B1	2
German A2	1
German A1 (basic requirement only – no extra points)	0
No German language skills	0

Language certificates accepted include Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, DSD, and equivalent recognised tests. German A1 is the basic entry requirement (if you're not relying on English B2 instead) but does not earn additional points.

English Language Proficiency

Option	Points
Yes – C1 or above (e.g., IELTS 7.0+, Cambridge C1 Advanced, TOEFL 100+) or native speaker	1
No	0

English proficiency at C1 is an additional bonus point, awarded independently of your German score. B2 English is the minimum baseline requirement if you're not using German A1 to qualify (earns 0 extra points at that level). Native English speakers automatically qualify for this point.

Previous Stay in Germany

Option	Points
Yes – I have resided legally in Germany for 6+ months continuously in the past 5 years	1
No	0

Tourist stays and visits do NOT count. Qualifying stays include study, language courses, or work under a valid permit. Copies of old passports with entry stamps and visas can serve as evidence.

Spouse / Life Partner

Option	Points
Yes – my partner independently meets the Opportunity Card requirements	1
No	0

Both partners should independently run the self-check. If your partner also meets the requirements, you each earn 1 bonus point.

Qualification in a Shortage Occupation

If your formal qualification is in a shortage occupation (Mangelberuf), you get 1 point.

Shortage Occupations – Which Sectors Qualify?

If your qualification falls within a designated shortage occupation, you earn 1 additional point in the calculator. Commonly represented sectors include healthcare, engineering, IT, education, and skilled trades, but the definitive list is published and updated by the German government.

⚠️ Always check the official list before relying on this point. We've deliberately avoided listing specific occupation codes here, since the shortage list is updated periodically and an outdated code could cause you to miscalculate your score.

How to Improve Your Germany Opportunity Card Score

If your current score falls short of 6 points, here are the most effective steps you can take to bridge the gap:

📜 1. Apply for Qualification Recognition

A partial-equivalence decision from a German recognition authority earns you 4 points – the single largest score available in the points system. Apply through the Recognition in Germany portal (Anerkennung in Deutschland) or via a recognised body in your profession.

🇩🇪 2. Improve Your German Language Level

Moving from A2 to B1 gains you 1 extra point. Moving from B1 to B2 gains you another. German B2 alone contributes 3 points to your total.

📂 3. Document Your Work Experience Carefully

You need a minimum of 2 years in the last 5 years (2 points) or 5 years in the last 7 years (3 points), in a role related to your qualification. Gather employer letters, payslips, contracts, and service certificates now.

🔍 4. Check the Shortage Occupations List

A single extra point from a shortage occupation could make the difference. Check the official list linked above for your specific role.

👫 5. Plan Your Application with Your Spouse

If your partner also independently meets the requirements, applying together earns both of you 1 additional point each.

🇬🇧 6. Obtain an English C1 Certificate

If you don't speak German yet, an English C1 qualification (such as IELTS 7.0+, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or TOEFL 100+) adds 1 point on top of any German-language points you already have.

Basic Requirements for a Germany Opportunity Card

Before points are even relevant, you must satisfy the baseline requirements for the points route:

🎓 1. Qualified Education

You must hold a university degree, or completed vocational training of at least 2 years, recognised in the country where you obtained it. Support your application with a positive Anabin database result or a Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) for a university degree, or a positive Digital Statement on Professional Qualification for vocational training.

🗣️ 2. Language Competency

You must prove one of the following:

German language skills at A1 level or above, OR
English language skills at B2 level or above

Even without a German certificate, German knowledge will improve your chances of finding a job once you arrive.

Note: Meeting this baseline earns 0 additional points – it's simply the gateway to using the points system.

Do You Need Financial Proof?

Regardless of which route you qualify under, you must demonstrate that you can support yourself financially in Germany during your job search. You will need to show one of the following:

A blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) with at least €1,091 net per month (around €13,092 for a full year, the applicable 2026 rate)
A formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor based in Germany

Which Language Tests Are Accepted for the Opportunity Card Points Calculator?

German Language Tests

Test	Levels Covered	Cost (Approx.)
Goethe-Zertifikat	A1 to C2	[CONFIRM current fee]
TestDaF	B2 to C1	[CONFIRM current fee]
DSD (German Language Diploma)	A2, B1, B2, C1	Free (at DSD schools)
ÖSD (Austrian Language Diploma)	A1 to C2	Varies

English Language Tests

Test	Notes	Cost (Approx.)
IELTS Academic / General	7.0 = C1	[CONFIRM current fee]
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)	Directly certifies C1	[CONFIRM current fee]
TOEFL iBT	Score 100+ ≈ C1	[CONFIRM current fee]
LanguageCert	Available in 30,000+ venues	[CONFIRM current fee]
PTE Academic	Computer-based, fast results	[CONFIRM current fee]

Native English speakers (passport from an English-speaking country) are generally exempt from submitting a test certificate for the basic English B2 requirement, though you may still wish to present a C1 certificate for the extra point.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You need a minimum of 6 points out of a possible 16. If you are already a fully recognised skilled worker in Germany, you bypass the points system entirely and only need to prove financial self-sufficiency.

The official points system awards a maximum of 16 points, combining up to 4 for partial qualification recognition, 3 for professional experience, 4 for combined German and English language skills, 2 for age, 1 for a shortage occupation, 1 for a previous stay in Germany, and 1 for a qualifying spouse or partner.

No. Full recognition (or a qualification obtained in Germany) takes you out of the points system entirely – you're treated as a skilled worker under Section 20a and only need to prove financial self-sufficiency. The 4-point "qualification" score applies only within the points route, for partial recognition.

Age is one of several scoring categories but is not a disqualifying factor. Applicants under 35 score 2 points, those aged 35 to 40 score 1 point, and applicants over 40 score 0 in this category but can still qualify through other criteria.

Yes. You can earn up to 3 points for German language proficiency AND 1 point for English C1 proficiency. These are scored independently, giving you up to 4 language points in total.

Partial recognition means a German recognition authority has reviewed your foreign qualification and issued a decision confirming it's partially comparable to a German qualification, sometimes alongside required compensatory measures. This decision – not full recognition – is what earns you 4 points in the points system.

You need at least a positive Anabin database result or Statement of Comparability (for a degree) or a positive Digital Statement on Professional Qualification (for vocational training) to use the points route at all. A formal partial-recognition decision on top of that is what earns you the 4 points – it doesn't need to be a final full-recognition outcome.

You simply do not earn the 1 bonus point for that category. You can still qualify by accumulating 6 points across the other categories.

Yes. Both you and your spouse should independently assess your own profiles using the calculator. If your partner independently meets the requirements, you each earn 1 additional bonus point.

Only relevant professional experience gained after graduating, in a role related to your qualification, counts for points. General or unrelated work experience is not scored, though it does not disqualify you either.

As of 2026 you must show at least €1,091 net per month, equivalent to around €13,092 for a full year, typically via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany.

Yes. Six points is the minimum qualifying threshold on the points route and is sufficient to proceed with your application, provided you also meet the baseline qualification, language, and financial requirements.

Reviewed by [Name], [relevant credential], Ref: [registration number] — content checked directly against the official Make it in Germany portal as of the "Last updated" date above. This is general information, not immigration advice for your specific circumstances.

How Can TMS The Migration School Help You?

TMS The Migration School is your trusted partner for Germany immigration. Our thorough process and end-to-end support ensure you take the right action at every step. We help you with:

Free eligibility check through the Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator
Expert guidance for Germany immigration and the Chancenkarte visa
Qualification recognition assistance (ZAB & Anabin evaluation)
German language coaching (A1 to B2)
English proficiency coaching for C1 certification
Document preparation & financial proof guidance
Free career counselling – book your slot today
Complete guidance for Germany work visas & the EU Blue Card
Resume marketing services to find related jobs in Germany

* Disclaimer:

The Quick eligibility check provided by TMS The Migration School is only to help applicants understand an estimated score based on their own answers. The points and thresholds shown reflect our understanding of the official Section 20a AufenthG criteria as of the "Last updated" date above and are not a guarantee of eligibility. Rules, shortage occupation lists, and financial thresholds are reviewed and can change; a full technical evaluation against current official guidance is required before you rely on any figure here for an actual application.

🇩🇪 Official Germany Immigration Resources

Stay updated with the latest Germany Work Visa requirements, Opportunity Card, EU Blue Card, skilled worker immigration rules, visa application process, and official German Government immigration information.

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