Points Calculator for the German Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

The qualification-based pillar remains the central element of labor immigration to Germany.

As before, it includes:

• The EU Blue Card for foreign university graduates with recognized degrees
• The residence permit for foreign skilled workers with recognized qualifications (university degrees or vocational qualifications /Berufsausbildung)

The most important changes are:

• Skilled immigrants with recognized qualifications will be able to take up any qualified employment. The job will no longer have to match their formal qualification.
• The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card will be lowered from 4,860 EUR to 3,650 EUR gross per month, making it much easier for young professionals to get a job in Germany.
• The period for obtaining a settlement permit will be shortened from five to three years.
• Blue Card holders will find it easier to change employers and bring their families to Germany, including their parents.
• Experienced IT specialists without formal qualifications in IT will also be eligible to qualify for the Blue Card.

The experience-base pillar is intended to enable skilled workers to immigrate, even if their professional qualifications have not previously been recognized in Germany.

The applicants will have to meet these conditions:

• The applicant has a professional qualification of at least two years that is officially recognized in their country and two years of professional experience.
• The employment contract must be in a non-regulated profession.
• The salary must reach a certain threshold or be linked to a collective agreement.

👉 If their salary meets a certain threshold (to be determined) or is linked to a collective agreement, internationals can continue working without a recognized degree.

👉 If their salary is lower than the threshold or not linked to a collective agreement, they can start working in Germany but must obtain full recognition of their qualifications within a specific timeframe (Anerkennungspartnerschaft). 

There is already an exception to the recognition requirement for experienced IT specialists. These can take up work in Germany even if they do not have a recognized degree in IT. In the future, the salary thresholds are to be lowered for them and they should no longer have to prove their knowledge of German.

The potential-based pillar is intended for immigrants who don’t yet have a job offer in Germany.

• The core of this pillar is the introduction of a points-based system. Selection criteria include qualifications, language skills, professional experience, reference to Germany, and age.
• Applicants must provide proof that they can cover their living expenses during their entire stay in Germany.
• Successful applicants will receive an opportunity card (Chancenkarte) for job hunting and will be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week while searching for a job.
• The opportunity card will be issued for up to one year and can be extended for up to two years.