Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator
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Points Calculator
Check your Chancenkarte points in minutes
The Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card) lets skilled professionals from India move to Germany for up to one year to search for qualified work — without a job offer. While you search, you can work part-time up to 20 hours per week.
Two routes: direct or points
Start with one question: is your qualification fully recognised in Germany?
- Yes — direct route. If your qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you need no points at all — you can apply for the Opportunity Card directly.
- No / not sure — points route. You need at least 6 points out of 16 on the official points grid, plus a minimum language baseline (German A1 or English B2).
Score yourself with the full points table and worked examples on this page. For the full background, read our Germany Opportunity Card guide.
By Shweta Chugh
An orientation check only
This points check is an orientation tool only. It is not a visa decision, and it cannot promise a visa, a job or any timeline. Only the German mission / immigration authority decides your application. Proof of funds is also required with the application — check the official figure with the German mission, as published amounts change.
Points Table
Add up the points for each factor below. You need at least 6 points out of a maximum of 16. Read the notes after the list before you total your score — experience is single-choice, German is highest-level-only, and a language baseline applies on top of the total.
- Partial recognition of qualification — Yes = 4 points; No = 0 points.
- Shortage (bottleneck) occupation — Yes = 1 point (e.g. IT, engineering, healthcare); No = 0 points.
- Professional experience — count one row only: 5+ years in last 7 years = 3 points; 2+ years in last 5 years = 2 points; less than 2 years = 0 points.
- German language — highest level only: B2 or higher = 3 points; B1 = 2 points; A2 = 1 point; A1 or none = 0 points.
- English language C1 or higher — 1 point (adds to your German points).
- Age — under 35 = 2 points; 35–40 = 1 point; over 40 = 0 points.
- Previous legal stay in Germany — 6+ months in the last 5 years, not tourism: Yes = 1 point.
- Spouse/partner applies jointly — also meets the Chancenkarte conditions: Yes = 1 point.
Maximum total: 16 points. You need at least 6 points to qualify via the points route.
Language baseline: you also need German A1 or English B2 minimum. If your German is below A1 AND your English is below B2, you do not meet the baseline — even if your points total is 6 or more.
Worked Examples
Three worked examples show how the points add up. Each one lists every factor, the points awarded and the total — check your own maths against the Points Table tab.
Example 1 — 32-year-old software engineer: 7 points, passes
Profile: 32 years old, software engineer (shortage occupation), 5 years' professional experience, English C1, no German stated, no partial recognition, no previous stay in Germany, applying alone.
Partial recognition: No = 0; Shortage occupation: Yes = 1; Experience (5 years): 3; German: none = 0; English C1 = 1; Age 32 (under 35) = 2; Previous stay: No = 0; Spouse: No = 0. Total: 0 + 1 + 3 + 0 + 1 + 2 + 0 + 0 = 7 points. 7 is above the 6-point threshold, so this profile passes the points route. Language baseline: English C1 meets the English B2 minimum.
Example 2 — 38-year-old with German B1: 5 points, below threshold
Profile: 38 years old, 2 years' professional experience, German B1, no English C1 stated, no partial recognition, not in a shortage occupation, no previous stay in Germany, applying alone.
Partial recognition: No = 0; Shortage occupation: No = 0; Experience (2 years): 2; German B1 = 2; English: none = 0; Age 38 (35–40) = 1; Previous stay: No = 0; Spouse: No = 0. Total: 0 + 0 + 2 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 5 points. 5 is below the 6-point threshold, so this profile does not pass the points route. Language baseline: German B1 meets the German A1 minimum.
Example 3 — Fully recognised qualification: direct route, no points needed
Profile: Holds a qualification that is fully recognised in Germany (recognition notice issued) and wants to apply for the Opportunity Card.
This profile takes the direct route. Because the qualification is fully recognised, no points are needed at all — the 6-point threshold does not apply. There is no points total to calculate and no points fail. The applicant can apply for the Opportunity Card directly without scoring the grid.
Documents & Next Steps
Every point you claim must be proved with documents. Gather these before you apply — the German mission checks each one against the points you claim.
Important Notes:
Why Province Immigration
Province Immigration has guided skilled professionals since 2015. We are a 3-time award winner with 14,000+ visas granted. Get a free eligibility check for the Germany Opportunity Card: call +91 98961 96762 or email info@provinceimmigration.com.
