Two options with different evidence
The recognised skilled-worker option does not require a points test. The other option requires an eligible qualification, A1 German or B2 English and at least six points. A calculated score cannot replace the basic qualification and language evidence.
Finance the search period
The 2026 federal guidance gives €1,091 net per month for the blocked-account financing route and also identifies a declaration of commitment. Check which evidence the mission accepts before transferring money. Do not reuse an older year’s amount.
Keep work within the permission
The initial card is issued for up to one year. Part-time work is limited to 20 hours a week in total, with qualifying trials up to two weeks per employer. A full-time position requires the appropriate authorisation.
Build an evidence checklist
Separate qualification records, language and points evidence, and financing documents. Record what supports each claim instead of saving only the points total. Plan an affordable search and a fallback if the expected job does not materialise. Follow the mission’s current instructions for submission; this guide does not certify a score or predict approval.
Questions before acting
Do recognised skilled workers need six points?
The recognised-qualification option does not use the points system.
Can I work unlimited hours?
No. The initial search permission has a total part-time limit of 20 hours per week.
Corrections in this revision
The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:
- Six points alone presented as universal eligibility
- Outdated financing amounts and unsupported cost tables
- Automatic-extension and unrestricted-work implications
Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.
See recorded sources
- Germany: Opportunity Card — Germany. Federal guidance read 26 September 2026; funding amount explicitly for 2026
These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.
Visa rules change every month.
Get the changes that matter for your move — one email a month, unsubscribe anytime.
About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
How we verify our data · Editorial standards · About whereTOemigrate