Visa & Papers

Chancenkarte from the UK: Points, Process and Costs

By the GoGermany Editorial Team · 2026-08-03

Since Brexit, UK nationals are third-country nationals — here's how the German Chancenkarte points system works, what it costs in 2026, and the documents you need.

Before Brexit, a British citizen could simply move to Germany, register an address, and start working. Since 1 January 2021 that door has closed: freedom of movement ended, and UK nationals are now third-country nationals (Drittstaatsangehörige) under German law. To live and look for work in Germany, most Britons now need a residence title — and for jobseekers, the most flexible option is the Chancenkarte ("opportunity card").

This guide explains how the points system works for applicants from the UK, the step-by-step process, and what it all costs in 2026.

What is the Chancenkarte?

The Chancenkarte was introduced in June 2024 as part of Germany's reformed Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act). It is a residence permit that lets you come to Germany for up to 12 months to look for a job, without already having an offer in hand. While you search, you may:

• work part-time up to 20 hours per week, and
• do trial work (Probearbeit) of up to two weeks with a prospective employer.

If you find a qualifying job, you switch to a work-based residence title (such as the Blaue Karte EU or a standard skilled-worker permit) without leaving the country.

Two ways to qualify

There are two routes onto the card.

1. Full recognition. If your foreign qualification is fully recognised in Germany (or you hold a German degree/vocational qualification), you count as a skilled worker and qualify automatically — you do not need to score points at all.

2. The points system. If your qualification is not (yet) fully recognised, you can still qualify by scoring at least 6 points. To even enter the points route you must first meet three baseline conditions:

• a university degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years, recognised by the state where you earned it;
• German at A1 level or English at B2 level; and
• proof that you can support yourself during the job search.

Once you clear that bar, points are added up.

How the points work

You need 6 points in total. For most UK applicants, native English (1) plus being under 35 (2) plus a couple of years' relevant work experience (2) already gets you close, and a shortage-occupation qualification or some German pushes you over the line. Our eligibility checker can estimate your score before you commit to the paperwork.

Proving you can support yourself

You must show you can cover living costs for the job-search year. You can do this with either:

• a Sperrkonto (blocked bank account) holding roughly €12,000–€13,000 for the year (the figure tracks the official maintenance requirement and is adjusted annually), or
• a binding part-time job contract for the 20 hours per week the card allows.

Use our Sperrkonto calculator to see the exact deposit for your start date. You will also need health insurance valid in Germany from day one.

The Brexit advantage: applying from inside Germany

Here is the good news for Britons. As a UK national you are a privileged third-country national: you can enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and — like citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Israel — you are allowed to apply for a residence permit from inside Germany.

That means you have two paths:

1. Apply for a Chancenkarte visa at the German Embassy in London or a consulate (Edinburgh, Manchester) before you travel; or
2. Travel to Germany visa-free, register your address (Anmeldung) at the local Bürgeramt, and apply for the Chancenkarte directly at the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office).

Most other third-country nationals must obtain the visa abroad first, so this is a genuine post-Brexit perk. Note that you should not start the 20-hour part-time work until the permit is actually issued.

Already lived in Germany before 2021? If you were legally resident under free movement before the end of 2020, your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement (you should hold or apply for the Aufenthaltsdokument-GB) — you do not need the Chancenkarte.

Step-by-step process

1. Check your qualification. Look your degree or trade up in the anabin database and, if needed, start recognition (Anerkennung) via the "Recognition in Germany" portal. Many UK university degrees are well regarded; regulated trades (nursing, electrical, etc.) usually need formal recognition.
2. Score yourself. Confirm you either qualify by full recognition or reach 6 points.
3. Sort your funds. Open a Sperrkonto or secure a part-time contract, and buy health insurance.
4. Gather documents (see below) and get translations/certifications where required.
5. Apply — at the embassy/consulate, or on arrival at the Ausländerbehörde.
6. Land the job and switch. Once you have a qualifying offer, convert the Chancenkarte into a work permit or Blue Card without leaving Germany.

Documents checklist

• Valid UK passport
• CV/résumé (tailored to the German market — our CV builder helps)
• Degree certificates or vocational/apprenticeship papers, with recognition evidence
• Proof of work experience (references, contracts, payslips)
• Language certificates (German and/or an English test if English is not assumed native)
• Proof of funds: Sperrkonto confirmation or part-time contract
• Health insurance policy
• Biometric photos and completed application forms

What it costs in 2026

Budget beyond the fees for your flight and first months' rent. The Sperrkonto deposit is not a fee — it is your own money, paid back to you in monthly instalments once you arrive.

How long is it valid?

The Chancenkarte is granted for up to 12 months. If you have not yet found a permanent role but hold a concrete job offer meeting the requirements, you can apply for a follow-up Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) of up to two more years to complete a trial or bridge to the job.

Learning some German dramatically improves both your points and your job prospects — even A2 adds a point and opens far more vacancies. If you are starting from scratch, our learn German course takes you from the alphabet upward. Combined with the Brexit-era ability to apply on the ground, the Chancenkarte is one of the most realistic routes for UK jobseekers to build a career in Germany.

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