The Opportunity Card is Germany's job-seeker visa on a points basis: it lets qualified professionals move to Germany for up to one year to search for a job on the ground, without needing a job offer first. Once you find a qualified position, you switch to a work permit or EU Blue Card from inside Germany.

You need at least 6 points, on top of the base requirements (a recognized qualification or vocational training, plus basic German A1 or English B2). Points are awarded for things like your qualification, German and English language skills, professional experience, age (under 35 scores highest), and a previous legal stay in Germany. This calculator counts your points in about 2 minutes.

You have to prove you can support yourself during the job search, currently around 1,091 € per month, usually via a blocked account. Part-time work is allowed (see below), which the authorities factor in. Calculate your exact proof in our Financial Proof Calculator.

Yes, part-time: up to 20 hours per week, plus trial work of up to two weeks with a potential employer. Full employment starts once you've found a qualified job and switched to a work permit or Blue Card.