Opportunity Card Points Calculator

Count your Opportunity Card points using the official points system — you need at least 6.

Qualification Partial recognition of your foreign qualification (Anerkennung with compensation measures) (+4)
A German recognition body confirmed your qualification but requires adaptation measures (§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG). Qualification in a shortage occupation (Engpassberuf) (+1)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 8 — e.g. IT, engineering, nursing, medicine (list per § 18g AufenthG).

Language German B2 or better (+3)
Good German skills (§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 2). German B1 (+2)
Sufficient German skills (§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 3). German A2 (+1)
Basic German skills (§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 4). English C1 or better (+1)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 5. Stacks with German points.

Work experience 5+ years of relevant professional experience (within the last 7 years) (+3)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 6 — experience must relate to your qualification. 2+ years of relevant professional experience (within the last 5 years) (+2)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 7.

Age Age 35 or younger at application (+2)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 9. Age between 36 and 40 at application (+1)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 10.

Germany connection Previous legal stay in Germany of 6+ continuous months (within the last 5 years) (+1)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 11 — tourist stays don't count.

Partner Your spouse/registered partner also qualifies and applies together with you (+1)
§ 20b Abs. 1 Nr. 12.

0 of 6 points

Methodology & sources

Last verified: 21 July 2026

Points and the minimum threshold come directly from the Annex to § 20b AufenthG. Within the “German” and “age” groups only the highest selection counts.

Points table (Annex to § 20b AufenthG) (Source: gesetze-im-internet.de (BMJ), Last verified 21 July 2026)
Minimum points: 6 (Source: Anlage zu § 20b Abs. 2 AufenthG — 'Die Mindestpunktzahl beträgt sechs Punkte', Last verified 21 July 2026)
Proof of funds (2026) (Source: Auswärtiges Amt (Auslandsvertretung) — Chancenkarte: 1.091 €/Monat bzw. 13.092 € Sperrkonto (2026), Last verified 21 July 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Does my degree need to be recognised?

For the points route, state recognition in your country of training is enough. Fully recognised skilled workers need no points at all.

Do German and English stack?

Only the highest German level counts; English C1 adds 1 further point on top.