Interested in living in Germany? With the aim of attracting foreign professionals, the German government has launched a new type of visa for those interested in living and working in Germany. This new program will benefit non-Europeans and is being called Germany’s opportunity card, or Chancenkarte in German.
The measure is a response to the shortage of skilled labor. According to the Ministry of Labor, the lack of workers in some sectors is harming production and is even contributing to the slowdown in the country’s economic growth.
Living legally in Germany is a dream for many people. However, doubts about visas, diploma/educational recognition, and ways to remain legally in Germany often create insecurity.
Here you will find the main legal ways to live in Germany. Highlights include work visas, study visas, diploma recognition, and the possibility of obtaining permanent residency. All this information was gathered based on practical experience.
The Germany Opportunity Card: How Does It Work?
The Chancenkarte also known as the Germany Opportunity Card, is a new type of visa that allows you to search for skilled employment in Germany. The advantage is that you can work up to 20 hours per week in temporary jobs, such as in restaurants or cafes, while you look for a job. This will guarantee a basic source of income during the professional transition phase.
When you find a job in your field of study, you can apply for a work visa directly in Germany. This way you don’t need to return to your country of origin to deal with it.
The work visa in Germany, or “opportunity card” (Chancenkarte in German), has been referred to by the press as the German “green card,” in reference to the document issued by the US to attract skilled professionals.
The German government’s goal is to make it easier for foreigners to enter the country seeking employment. This means that it will no longer be necessary to have a job offer in order to obtain a visa to live there.
Is it possible to turn a tourist trip into a legal stay in Germany?
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “If I go to Germany as a tourist, can I get a work visa and stay legally?” And the answer is:Â in some cases, yes.
If you find a job opportunity during your stay as a tourist in Germany—and not before you come—you can apply for your work visa directly on German soil. Of course, this is provided that all legal criteria are met.
This process is facilitated when the candidate is considered a qualified professional. In certain areas, particularly in health-related professions, the first step will be to apply for a visa to have a foreign diploma recognized.
How does the diploma recognition process work in Germany?
For healthcare professionals, such as dentists, doctors, or nurses, it will be required that their foreign diploma be validated in Germany. During this process, they will be allowed to work under supervision or undertake practical internships. Depending on their professional curriculum, this practical stage may be waived.
Furthermore, in most cases, you will be required to have a B2 level of German proficiency. Therefore, you will likely have to attend a German course during your stay in the country.
If you haven’t secured a job after having your diploma recognized, the next step is to apply for a job seeker visa. A new option is the “Chancenkarte” (Opportunity Card).
Do IT professionals have advantages in the immigration process in Germany?
Yes. For those working in IT (information technology), the process is usually simpler because, in this field, the diploma does not need to be revalidated. The only requirement is that the university where you graduated is on the Anabin list (the official database of institutions recognized by Germany).
In addition, the Blue Card (European Blue Card) can be requested. This visa is aimed at highly qualified professionals with a minimum established salary. A major advantage is that, with the Blue Card, you can apply for permanent residency in just 21 months (with a B1 level of German) or in 27 months (with a basic A1 level).
Even at the A1 level, no formal tests or courses are required. Simply demonstrating your basic communication skills in an interview with the immigration authority is sufficient.
Is it possible to get a work visa even without a university degree?
Not every professional who wishes to live in Germany has technical or university training. However, this does not prevent them from obtaining a work visa, provided that practical experience is proven. For example, people with three or more years of proven experience in a specific role, even without a degree, may be eligible for a work visa in Germany.
Proof can be provided through old employment contracts, statements from employers, or even your country’s work permit as long as it is duly translated by a certified translator in Germany.
Hairdressers and other professions requiring technical training in Germany
Professions like hairdressing, which in Germany require training called “Ausbildung” (technical course), have greater restrictions. To legally work as a self-employed hairdresser or open your own salon, you will need the title of “Meister” a certificate that can only be obtained after an advanced course.
However, exceptions are possible. A foreign professional may work as an assistant to a Meister within a salon, provided the technical manager is present. This model has been used by many immigrants to enter the profession even without full German certification.
Furthermore, if a job opening is offered in another sector, such as in restaurants, a work visa may be requested based on the candidate’s practical experience, provided that the employer’s genuine need is proven.
The new European directive facilitates the mobility of professionals with permanent visas
A significant change to European immigration law was introduced in April 2024. Under this new European Union directive, foreign professionals with permanent residence permits in a member country, such as Germany, will be able to move to another European country and work there without needing to obtain European citizenship.
With this change, it will be permitted to live and seek work in countries such as Finland, Spain, Portugal, among others, provided that the local authority is informed within 90 days of arrival. The directive should be implemented by all EU countries by May 2026.
This new rule promises to increase competition among European countries for qualified professionals, encouraging improvements in working conditions and salaries, especially in countries like Portugal, where many immigrants report lower wages compared to Germany.
Work visa in Germany allows extended family reunification
Another significant change came into effect in March 2024:Â the expansion of the right to family reunification for holders of work visas in Germany. Previously, only spouses and children could be legally brought. With the new law, the reunification of:
- Parents and in-laws
- Brothers and sisters-in-law
This legal advancement was designed to make Germany a more attractive destination for skilled foreign workers, who often hesitated to relocate due to the impossibility of bringing loved ones. Situations such as that of a couple wishing to bring their elderly mother-in-law from their country are now legally feasible, provided the work visa was granted from March 2024 onwards.
It is important to clarify that the new legislation applies only to people with work visas issued after March 2024. In the case of those already living in Germany with a family reunification visa, or who hold European citizenship through another European Union country (such as an Italian passport, for example), the reunification of relatives must follow other specific rules and is not automatically covered by this new regulation.
In these cases, it is recommended to consult an immigration lawyer to assess the best legal strategy.
Can a spouse always work in Germany?
When discussing family immigration or relocation, a very common question is, “Will the spouse also be entitled to work legally in Germany?” The answer is yes — in most cases. However, some important points should be noted.
When a spouse is brought over through a family reunification visa, the right to work is guaranteed as soon as the visa is officially granted. However, work is not permitted during the waiting period for authorization, that is, while the application has not yet received a response from the immigration authority. This is a crucial step that many people are unaware of.
Requirements to obtain a German Opportunity Card (Green Card)
One of the crucial requirements for the opportunity card is that the person can finance their upkeep during their stay in Germany. According to the embassy, ​​”while looking for work, it is permitted to engage in a secondary paid activity (20 hours per week) or to do trial work.
If you already have a confirmed secondary paid activity, this will be taken into account for the study of the financing of maintenance.”
In any case, when applying for this visa, you will need to have this funding secured. To this end, the embassy recommends having a blocked account with at least €1,091 (the amount set for 2026) or a declaration of commitment. According to the embassy, ​​if you have a university, technical, technological, professional qualification or a degree that can be validated in Germany, you will be considered qualified personnel. Besides presenting their financing, these individuals will not have to meet any other requirements.
This same option is valid for those who have obtained a vocational or university qualification in Germany. Those with this qualification can then immediately apply for a residence permit for job searching.Â
With this permit, the person will be able to extend their job search time (18 months) and work while looking for a job without any restrictions.Â
What happens if you don’t have a recognized degree?
The other option is for those who do not have an equivalent and comparable qualification in Germany. To obtain the visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:Â demonstrate basic knowledge of German (A1) and advanced knowledge of English (B2).
Similarly, the applicant will have to certify that they meet at least one of these criteria:
- Have a professional or university education of at least two years that has state recognition from the country where it was acquired.Â
- Having a foreign professional or university degree with state recognition from the country where it was acquired.Â
- Having a degree from the German Chamber of Commerce abroad that involves a training process identical to the requirements of a comparable degree.Â
These individuals must also review the scoring system for the opportunity card; “that is, if they do not have a German vocational qualification or cannot prove full recognition of their foreign qualification.” In this case, people must obtain at least 6 points.Â
To apply for this visa, these are some elements that can help you earn points:
- Qualification equivalence:Â four points, if you have already applied for the homologation process of your foreign degree and the result has been partial equivalence.Â
- Qualification in professions with staff shortages:Â one point, if your profession falls into this category.
- Professional experience:Â two points if you demonstrate two years of work experience within the last five years after receiving your degree. If you can demonstrate five years of experience within the last seven years, you will receive three points.Â
- Language skills:Â one point for level A2, two points for B1, and three points for levels above B2. You will receive an additional point if you have C1 level skills or are a native speaker.Â
- Age:Â two points for those under 35 years old (exactly up to their birthday) and one point for people between 35 and 40 years old.Â
- Prior residency:Â one point for those who can demonstrate having lived legally and continuously for at least 6 months during the past 5 years (university studies, work, or language courses). Tourist or visiting stays are not accepted.Â
- Spouse/domestic partner potential:Â If you are married and your partner is eligible for the opportunity card, you will earn one point.Â
To learn the step-by-step process, go to the German Embassy’s website and download the instructions located at the bottom of the site.Â
Read Also: Scholarships in Germany – A Guide to Studying in Germany for FREE
Conclusion: proper planning is the key to obtaining a visa quickly
The process for living and working legally in Germany may seem bureaucratic at first glance but, when the requirements are understood and the documents prepared in advance, the visa can be issued in a few weeks, especially in the case of qualified professionals.
