Do you qualify?
Short answer: as a Filipino SAP consultant with a recognised degree, you can qualify. Technical SAP roles (ABAP, BTP, Basis) clearly fall under ISCO-08 group 25. Functional SAP roles (FI/CO, MM, SD) may qualify depending on work content.
The Chancenkarte lets you move to Germany without a job offer and search for SAP roles for up to 12 months. Convert to a EU Blue Card once you have an offer.
Technical vs functional SAP: what qualifies
Technical SAP (ABAP development, SAP BTP, SAP Fiori/UI5, SAP Basis, SAP integration PI/PO, Integration Suite, SAP HANA development) classifies clearly under ISCO-08 group 25.
Functional SAP (FI/CO, MM, SD, HCM consultants) may qualify under group 25 if the role involves significant configuration and system design. If primarily process consulting without technical implementation, the role may be group 242 instead. The Chancenkarte shortage occupation point (1 point) depends on a group 25 classification.
SAP certifications (SAP Certified Application Associate, etc.) do not substitute for a formal degree and do not unlock any additional route.
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| BS CS / BS IT (4 years) from H+ university | Route 1: no points needed |
| BS Accountancy / BS Business Administration from H+ university | Route 1, if listed in anabin as "entspricht" |
| Degree from H+/- university, programme not listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| No formal qualification | Not eligible for Chancenkarte |
Check your institution at anabin.kmk.org/anabin/institutionen. A ZAB Statement of Comparability is recommended for BS Accountancy and BS Business Administration degrees.
Route 2: calculating your points
| Criterion | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partial equivalence of your qualification | 4 | Requires formal decision |
| Shortage occupation (technical SAP qualifies; functional SAP role-dependent) | 1 | ISCO-08 group 25 |
| At least 2 years qualifying experience in last 5 years | 2 | Post-graduation |
| At least 5 years qualifying experience in last 7 years | 3 | Replaces 2-year tier |
| German at A2 / B1 / B2+ | 1 / 2 / 3 | Mutually exclusive |
| English at C1 (with certificate) | 1 | Additive |
| Age under 35 / 35–39 | 2 / 1 | Mutually exclusive |
| Prior lawful residence in Germany ≥ 6 months | 1 | |
| Spouse also qualifies and applies jointly | 1 |
Worked examples for Filipino SAP consultants:
Profile A: BS CS from H+/- university (unlisted), ABAP developer, 3 years experience, age 28, English C1: 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (age) + 1 (English) = 6 points ✓
Profile B: BS IT, SAP BTP developer, 5 years SAP experience, age 31, English C1: 1 (shortage) + 3 (5-year exp) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English) = 7 points ✓
Profile C: BS Accountancy, SAP FI/CO consultant, ZAB partial equivalence, 4 years experience, age 29, German A2 + English C1: 4 (partial equiv) + 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (German) + 1 (English) = 11 points ✓
Financial requirement: the Sperrkonto
€13,092 (€1,091 × 12 months, 2026 figure) in a Sperrkonto before your visa appointment.
Worked example: Maria's Chancenkarte application
Maria Villanueva, 33, SAP FI/CO Consultant, Manila to Germany
- Degree: BS Accountancy, De La Salle University (2014). DLSU is rated H+ in anabin; the BS Accountancy programme is listed as "entspricht einem deutschen Hochschulabschluss." Apostille obtained from the DFA.
- Experience: 9 years of SAP FI/CO implementation at a Big Four consulting firm in Manila, covering full-cycle S/4HANA rollouts for manufacturing and logistics clients.
- Financial proof: Sperrkonto with €13,092 (12 months × €1,091, binding under § 20a(4) AufenthG), opened with Expatrio.
- Visa result: Qualifies under Route 1 (§ 20a AufenthG). DLSU is H+ and the BS Accountancy programme is listed as "entspricht", so no points calculation is required. The formal degree from a recognised H+ institution satisfies the qualification requirement directly.
- After arrival: Maria targets Munich and Frankfurt SAP consultancies, attends interviews in her first two months, and receives an offer at month 4. She converts to a Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG) at €74,000. The role is functional SAP FI/CO, so the employer's Erklärung classifies the position under ISCO-08 group 242 (business and administration analysts); the general threshold of €50,700 applies for conversion, and €74,000 clears it.
What would change the outcome: If Maria's future role were technical SAP ABAP development instead of functional FI/CO consulting, the employer's Erklärung would classify the position under ISCO-08 group 25 (ICT professionals). That classification brings the lower shortage threshold of €45,934.20 into play for the Blue Card conversion, making it easier to qualify on salary. It also means the Federal Employment Agency processes the application under the IT shortage occupation track, which can reduce the BA review period. A functional SAP consultant who misrepresents the role as technical to access the lower threshold risks the BA rejecting the Erklärung and returning the application for resubmission with corrected job content.
Document checklist (Philippines, Route 2, 2026)
- Valid passport (at least 2 empty pages)
- Biometric-format passport photograph
- Completed VIDEX application form
- Degree certificate (with DFA apostille)
- Transcript of records, all semesters (with DFA apostille)
- University confirmation of regular (on-site) mode of study
- anabin printout, or ZAB Statement of Comparability (recommended for BS Accountancy / BSBA degrees)
- Language certificate: IELTS / TOEFL / Cambridge at B2+ for English, or Goethe-Institut / telc / ÖSD for German
- Experience letters (SAP modules: ABAP, BTP, Fiori/UI5, Basis, FI/CO, MM, SD, Integration Suite, etc.) plus payslips and BIR Form 2316
- Sperrkonto certificate (€13,092) or Verpflichtungserklärung
- Travel health insurance
Apostille note: Philippine academic documents require DFA apostille. The Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 14 May 2019.
Frequently asked questions
My degree is BS Accountancy. Can I qualify as an SAP FI/CO consultant?
Possibly, under Route 2 with the partial equivalence points. A ZAB Statement of Comparability is required to establish partial equivalence. The shortage occupation point (1 point) also depends on your role being classified under ISCO-08 group 25, and functional SAP consulting with a significant technical component usually qualifies.
How long does the Chancenkarte take to process at the German Embassy Manila?
Processing at the German Embassy Manila typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks. Apply well ahead of your planned travel date.
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG: Chancenkarte, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- § 20b AufenthG: Points system, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- Chancenkarte: Make it in Germany, Federal Government
- anabin database, KMK / ZAB
- German Embassy Manila, Auswärtiges Amt
We are not a law firm. This page provides general information only, not legal advice.