Germany Opportunity Card 2026: Points, Funds and Work Rights

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) lets you move to Germany without a job offer and search for one on the ground. It is not a work visa, and it is not a lottery. You qualify either as a recognised skilled worker or by scoring enough points, and you must fund yourself while you search.

What the Opportunity Card gives you

The law describes the card as a residence permit to look for work or for steps towards recognition of your foreign qualifications.

Two ways to qualify

Route 1: you are already a recognised skilled worker

If Germany has already found your vocational qualification equivalent, or your degree recognised or comparable, you count as a "skilled worker" under the Residence Act. You can get the card without points.

For degree holders, an anabin printout or a ZAB Statement of Comparability (€208) is the usual proof. For vocational qualifications, you need a recognition notice from the competent authority.

Route 2: the points system

If you are not fully recognised, you need all of these basic requirements:

1. A qualification recognised by the Nigerian state. Either a vocational qualification that required at least two years of training, or a university degree. (A vocational qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce abroad also counts.)
2. Language: at least basic German (A1) or English at B2.
3. Confirmation by a German expert body that your qualification meets these conditions. In practice this is usually anabin or ZAB for degrees.

Then you need at least 6 points from the table below.

The points table

These are the official values from the annex to the Residence Act.

German points do not stack: you get points for your highest level only. The same applies to experience and age.

If you score points for partial recognition, you do not need the separate state-recognised qualification check.

Example scores

• A 30-year-old accountant with five years' experience and B1 German: age 2 + experience 3 + German 2 = 7 points. Qualifies.
• A 38-year-old engineer with three years' experience and C1 English but no German: age 1 + experience 2 + English 1 + shortage group 1 = 5 points. Not yet. Adding A2 German would bring the total to 6.

The shortage groups follow the EU Blue Card list. They include engineers and scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers and ICT professionals.

Proof of funds: the blocked account

You must show that you can support yourself. The Federal Foreign Office states that for the Opportunity Card, a blocked account should hold €13,092 for 12 months (€1,091 a month).

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) releases only a fixed amount to you each month. The Federal Foreign Office does not recommend any provider, so compare fees and conditions yourself.

A blocked account is the most common proof, but it may not be the only one. Check on the Consular Services Portal which other forms of proof the Lagos consulate accepts for your case.

How to apply from Nigeria

1. Check your qualification on anabin. Note the status of your university and degree.
2. Get recognition proof. Apply to ZAB for a Statement of Comparability if anabin is not conclusive, or start formal recognition for a regulated job.
3. Take a language test. Book a recognised German or English test early.
4. Work out your points. Use the table above and be honest.
5. Open and fund a blocked account. Keep the confirmation.
6. Get health insurance that is valid for Germany from your arrival date.
7. Apply online via the Consular Services Portal. The German Consulate General in Lagos lists the Opportunity Card as an online category.
8. Attend your appointment. Bring originals, give biometrics and pay the fee.

Document checklist

• Valid international passport
• Degree or vocational certificate, with transcripts
• anabin printout, ZAB statement or recognition notice
• Language certificate (German A1 or above, or English B2 or above)
• Proof of experience: reference letters and employment records
• Blocked account confirmation (or other accepted proof of funds)
• Health insurance confirmation
• CV
• Any further documents the portal lists for your case
• Certified translations where required

Working while you search

The 20-hour weekly limit is an average, so some weeks can be longer if others are shorter. Any type of job is allowed, which helps cover rent.

Trial work is different. Each trial job can last up to two weeks and must be a qualified role, lead towards training, or be part of a recognition procedure. It is meant to let employers test you before hiring.

Mistakes that sink applications

• Counting points you cannot prove. Every point needs a document: a test certificate, a reference letter, a recognition notice.
• Skipping the German expert check. A Nigerian degree certificate on its own is not enough. You need anabin or ZAB confirmation, or a recognition notice.
• Underfunding. Arriving with only the minimum leaves no buffer for deposits, transport or a slow job search.
• Treating it as a work visa. The card is for searching. If you rely only on 20-hour jobs, you may struggle to pay rent and still have time to apply for qualified roles.
• Paying agents for appointments. The Lagos consulate says booking is free.

Converting to a work permit

When you get a qualified job offer, you apply to the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) to switch. You do not have to return to Lagos.

Common next permits:

• EU Blue Card: for degree holders with a salary of at least €50,700 in 2026, or €45,934.20 in shortage occupations or for recent graduates.
• Skilled worker permit: for people with recognised training or degrees.
• Follow-on Opportunity Card: if you have a qualified offer but don't yet meet the other permits.

Our skilled worker visa and Blue Card guide explains those permits. If you are aiming at a high-cost city, read about high-paying jobs in Munich first.

Is it right for you?

The card suits people with solid qualifications, some savings and the patience to job-hunt in a new country. It is harder for those with no German and no recognised training. If that is you, our honest look at unskilled jobs in Germany covers vocational training as an alternative.

The Federal Government can cap the number of cards issued. Rules and amounts change, so confirm everything on official pages before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.