What German level do I need for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)?

German A1 or English B2 is the eligibility gate to apply, and it scores zero language points. German then adds points: A2 = 1, B1 = 2, B2 or higher = 3. You need six points in total from all criteria. The separate full-recognition route has no language requirement.

Does qualification recognition (Anerkennung) test my German?

No. The recognition (equivalence) check of your qualification does not test German. Language is checked separately at the licence-to-practise stage for regulated jobs (typically B2 to C1). For non-regulated jobs the employer decides the level expected.

YOUR GOAL

I want a skilled-worker job, Opportunity Card, or recognition

THE ANSWER

There is no single level across the board. For the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) the entry gate is German A1 OR English B2; German A2/B1/B2 then ADD points toward the six you need. For a normal skilled-worker visa, employers typically expect A2 to B1; regulated jobs need B2 to C1.

Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card, points route)

A1 DE / B2 EN

German A1 or English B2 is the eligibility gate and scores zero language points. German A2 = 1, B1 = 2, B2+ = 3 points; you need 6 total. The full-recognition route has no language requirement.

GoetheA1+
telcA1+
ÖSDA1+

General skilled-worker visa

A2-B1

No single statutory level; A2 to B1 is typical and employer-set. Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, teachers) need B2 to C1.

GoetheA2-B1
telcA2-B1
ÖSDA2-B1
ECLA2-B1

Goethe, telc, ÖSD, and ECL are accepted for general immigration proof. TestDaF is mainly academic. The qualification-recognition (Anerkennung) check itself does not test German; language is checked separately at the licence-to-practise stage.

The binding answer comes from the authority and the employer

On the Chancenkarte points route, A1 is only the door, not a score. Count your points before assuming a level is enough.
For your exact job, confirm the expected level with the competent recognition authority and your employer.

NEXT STEP

See open exam dates for your providers

Goethe dates telc dates ÖSD dates ECL dates

Know the second a slot opens

Free email alerts when a matching exam slot appears. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

SourcesAs of 17 Jun 2026

§20a AufenthG (Chancenkarte / Opportunity Card) · gesetze-im-internet.de (Federal Ministry of Justice)
Opportunity Card (points + language gate) · Handbook Germany (Federal-funded)
Recognition procedure (language checked separately) · Anerkennung in Deutschland (Federal Government)

COMPARE · 5 PROVIDERS

The five German exams at a glance

All five are CEFR-aligned and accepted as a class. Which one counts is set by the institution you apply to.

Exam	Levels	Mainly used for	Note
Goethe-Institut	A1 to C2	All routes; strong for university (C2) and visas	Most exam centers in India
telc	A1 to C2	Ausbildung, nursing (B1·B2 Pflege), jobs	Slots tend to open more often
ÖSD	A1 to C2	All routes; Austria's official exam	Accepted across routes
TestDaF	B2 to C1 (TDN 3-5)	University admission	No A1; not for a spouse visa
ECL	A2 to C1	General immigration / jobs	No A1 or C2; rarely used for university

See all goals