Short answer: As of 2026, Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) points route requires at least 6 points plus a language minimum of German A1 or English B2 (CEFR).
English is usually proven with an IELTS or TOEFL certificate; a band that maps to B2 (commonly around IELTS 5.5–6.5) is the entry threshold — confirm on the official site.
The Chancenkarte lets qualified non-EU professionals move to Germany for up to a year to look for work. There are two ways in.
If your foreign qualification is already recognised as equivalent to a German one, you enter as a skilled worker (Fachkraft) with no points and no language certificate needed for the card itself.
Otherwise you use the points route (Section 20b of the Residence Act): you need a completed academic degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years that is recognised in the country you earned it, the minimum language level, and a total of at least six points.
Language levels, points and IELTS mapping
| Language level (CEFR) | Points on the Chancenkarte (as of 2026) | Typical IELTS mapping (English only) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to qualify: English B2 or German A1 | Prerequisite (0 points) | English B2 ≈ IELTS 5.5–6.5 |
| English C1 or native speaker | +1 point (added on top of any German points) | English C1 ≈ IELTS 7.0–8.0 |
| German A2 | 1 point | — |
| German B1 | 2 points | — |
| German B2 or higher | 3 points | — |
What this means for you
The language certificate is a prerequisite, not the whole score.
To reach six points you combine language with the other criteria: partial recognition of your qualification (up to 4 points), a shortage occupation (1 point), professional experience (2 points for at least two years in the last five, or 3 points for at least five years in the last seven), age (2 points if under 35, 1 point from 35 to under 40), prior lawful residence in Germany of at least six months in the last five years (1 point), and a spouse or partner who also qualifies and applies with you (1 point).
For English, German missions accept certificates from ALTE-recognised providers such as IELTS or TOEFL; several missions state they do not accept Pearson or Duolingo, so check what your local mission recognises.
Note that even native English speakers are generally asked to submit a recognised language certificate for the card.
Before you rely on these numbers
Requirements are set by the relevant authority and change; always confirm the current requirement on the official source: Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card and the German Consular Services Portal, which includes an official points calculator.
The points and CEFR levels here reflect the Section 20b framework as published in 2026; the IELTS-to-CEFR mapping is indicative only — verify which certificates your German mission accepts before booking a test.