Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): what German A1–B2 and English C1 are worth in points

On the points route, § 20a(4) asks for a foreign vocational qualification of at least two years or a university degree, recognised by the country where it was earned, living costs secured, and at least basic German or English at B2.

§ 2(9) of the Act defines einfache deutsche Sprachkenntnisse, basic German, as CEFR A1. So A1 German or B2 English opens the door; neither earns a point by itself.

A skilled worker (Fachkraft), whose qualification is fully recognised in Germany, gets the card without points (§ 20a(3)).

§ 20b(1) and the annex give points for German at three levels, and § 2 of the Act fixes each level to the CEFR:

German B2 (gute Kenntnisse, § 2(11a)): 3 points.

German B1 (ausreichende Kenntnisse, § 2(11)): 2 points.

German A2 (hinreichende Kenntnisse, § 2(10)): 1 point.

Only your highest German level counts. The B1 and A2 lines each say they apply unless you already get points for a higher level, so B2 is 3 points, not 3 + 2 + 1.

English C1: 1 point, and it is a separate line, so it adds to your German points. Our sum: German B2 plus English C1 is the most language can give you, 4 points.

From the annex, read with § 20b(1):

4 points: a foreign qualification that Germany's competent body has found partly equivalent, needing an adjustment or compensation measure (for a regulated profession, the licence to practise).

3 points: at least five years of work experience related to your qualification in the last seven years. 2 points: at least two years in the last five (not both).

1 point: your qualification belongs to a shortage occupation group listed under § 18g(1).

2 points: you are 35 or younger when you apply. 1 point: older than 35 and not older than 40.

1 point: you have stayed in Germany lawfully for at least six months without interruption in the last five years. Short breaks do not count against you if, taken as a whole, your stay stayed centred in Germany.

1 point: your spouse or registered partner meets the conditions and applies for the card at the same office, and you link the two applications.

The minimum is 6 points, stated in the annex.

These examples are our own arithmetic from the table above, not cases from the authorities:

30 years old, three years' experience, German A2: 2 (age) + 2 (experience) + 1 (A2) = 5. Not enough. With B1 instead of A2: 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.

38 years old, six years' experience, English B2 only: 1 (age) + 3 (experience) = 4. German B2 adds 3: 7.

Under 35, five years' experience: 2 + 3 = 5, so German A2 (1 point) or English C1 (1 point) is the last point.

In each of these examples, one German level is the difference between falling short and reaching 6. Our guide to Goethe, telc and ÖSD levels covers the certificates, and telc B1 or Goethe B1 compares the two most taken.

§ 20a(2): work for up to 20 hours a week on average, and trial employment of up to two weeks at a time for a qualified job.

§ 20a(5): the card is issued for up to one year. With a job offer for qualified work and the Federal Employment Agency's approval, it can be extended as a follow-up card for up to two more years; after that, it cannot be extended as a Chancenkarte.

If you then move to a settlement permit, German B1 is asked in most routes to the Niederlassungserlaubnis: see German B1 for a settlement permit.

The Act sets the levels but not the certificate. German missions abroad publish their own checklists for the visa, and the accepted certificates and the amount for securing living costs are on those. Check your mission's checklist before you book a test.

The government may change the points and the minimum by ordinance (§ 20b(3)), so read the table again before you apply.