Who qualifies?
- University graduates in shortage professions (IT, engineering, healthcare, trades)
- Vocational workers with recognised qualifications
- Experienced professionals even without formal degree recognition
Language requirements
For the skilled worker visa and the EU Blue Card, there is no legal German requirement. In practice, many employers expect B1, and B1 makes daily life much easier. In regulated healthcare professions (nurses, doctors) you usually need B2 to get your qualification recognised. Some IT jobs in English-speaking teams need little German.
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Introduced in 2024, the Chancenkarte allows you to come to Germany for up to one year to look for work — without a job offer first. You need a foreign vocational qualification or university degree. Unless it is fully recognised in Germany, you also need at least A1 German or B2 English and at least 6 points in the points system. Better German earns you more points.
Getting your qualification recognised
- Use the anabin database to check if your degree is recognised
- Apply through the Recognition Advisory Centre (BQ Portal)
- Healthcare workers need Berufsanerkennung from the relevant Landesbehörde
Practise for this step
Practise for the B1 exam for your work visa B1 level · paid See what’s inside →More practice
Sources
- Make it in Germany – Learning German: what you need to know
- Make it in Germany – Required German language skills (PDF)
- Make it in Germany – Opportunity card
Last checked: November 2026
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so please confirm your case with the German embassy or the responsible authority.