Chancenkarte Points Calculator (2026)
The Germany Opportunity Card requires at least 6 points from the § 20b AufenthG table. If your degree is fully recognised, you qualify without a points check. Select your answers below to see your score instantly.
Already on Route 1? Skip the calculator.
If your degree is from an H+ university and listed as "entspricht" in the anabin database, you qualify via Route 1 (no points required, no language certificate required).
Your score
0 of 8 answered
Qualification
Is your profession a shortage occupation?
IT and software engineering (ISCO-08 groups 133 and 25) qualify. Most tech roles do.
Do you have a formal partial equivalence decision?
A specific written decision from a German authority. A pending application or ZAB Zeugnisbewertung does not count.
Work Experience
Post-graduation qualifying work experience
Must be paid, field-relevant, post-graduation employment.
Language Skills
German language level
Must be certificated: Goethe, telc, ÖSD, or TestDaF. Self-assessment does not count.
English at C1 or native speaker?
Must be certificated: IELTS 7.0+, TOEFL 110+, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or equivalent.
Personal Factors
Age at date of application
Have you lived lawfully in Germany for 6+ months in the last 5 years?
Schengen tourist stays do not count. Must be residence-permit based.
Does your spouse also qualify and apply jointly?
This calculator covers the § 20b AufenthG points system only. If your degree is fully recognised in Germany (H+ university, listed as "entspricht" in anabin), you qualify via Route 1 without any points check. This is general information, not legal advice.
Full points table (§ 20b AufenthG, 2026)
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
Partial equivalence of qualification with a German qualification Requires a formal written partial-equivalence decision from a German authority | +4 |
Shortage occupation (ISCO-08 groups 133 and 25) Software engineering, IT, and most tech roles qualify | +1 |
2+ years qualifying experience in last 5 years Post-graduation, field-relevant, paid employment | +2 |
5+ years qualifying experience in last 7 years Replaces the 2-year tier (mutually exclusive) | +3 |
German at A2 (certificated) Goethe, telc, ÖSD certificates accepted | +1 |
German at B1 (certificated) Replaces A2 (mutually exclusive) | +2 |
German at B2 or higher (certificated) Replaces B1 (mutually exclusive) | +3 |
English C1 or native (certificated) IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 110+, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or equivalent | +1 |
Age under 35 at date of application Cut-off is fixed at application date | +2 |
Age 35–39 at date of application Replaces under-35 tier (mutually exclusive) | +1 |
Lawful residence in Germany 6+ months in last 5 years Tourist/Schengen stays do not count | +1 |
Spouse also qualifies and applies jointly Both must be named on the application | +1 |
Worked examples
Software engineer, age 28, H+/- university, 3 yrs experience, English C1, no German
Shortage (1) + experience 2 yrs (2) + English C1 (1) + age <35 (2) = 6 pts ✓
Data engineer, age 37, H+/- university, 6 yrs experience, English C1, no German
Shortage (1) + experience 5+ yrs (3) + English C1 (1) + age 35–39 (1) = 6 pts ✓
DevOps engineer, age 42, H+/- university, 8 yrs experience, English C1, German A2
Shortage (1) + experience 5+ yrs (3) + English C1 (1) + German A2 (1) = 6 pts ✓
ML engineer, age 32, H+/- university, 1 yr experience, English C1, no German
Shortage (1) + experience <2 yrs (0) + English C1 (1) + age <35 (2) = 4 pts ✗
How to fix: Gain 1+ more year experience, or obtain German A2 certificate (+1 pt), or apply for partial equivalence
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for the Chancenkarte?
You need at least 6 points from the § 20b AufenthG table to qualify for the Chancenkarte via the points route. If your degree is fully recognised in Germany (H+ university, listed as 'entspricht' in anabin), you qualify via Route 1 without any points check.
What is the easiest way to reach 6 points for the Chancenkarte?
The most common combination for IT professionals without a fully recognised degree: shortage occupation (1 pt) + 2 years qualifying experience (2 pts) + English C1 certificate (1 pt) + age under 35 (2 pts) = 6 pts. A German A2 certificate adds 1 pt and gives a comfortable margin.
Do Duolingo scores count as a language certificate for the Chancenkarte?
No. Only officially recognised language certificates count: Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, or TestDaF for German; IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge (B2 First, C1 Advanced), or Trinity for English. Duolingo certificates are explicitly not accepted.
Does the Chancenkarte require a job offer?
No. The Chancenkarte is specifically designed for qualified professionals who do not yet have a German job offer. It lets you enter Germany and search for work for up to 12 months. You can work up to 20 hours per week while searching.
Can I calculate Chancenkarte points without German language skills?
Yes. It is possible to reach 6 points without any German: shortage occupation (1) + 5 years experience (3) + English C1 (1) + age under 35 (2) = 7 pts. However, a German language certificate gives you a wider margin above the 6-point minimum and also helps in the job search.
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Last updated: 2026-04-26. Sources: § 20b AufenthG, Make it in Germany