Germany raises Opportunity Card proof of funds to €1,091 per month

How the Opportunity Card proof of funds works

Germany set the Opportunity Card minimum proof of funds at €1,091 ($1,180) net per month for 2026, according to official "Make it in Germany" guidance. Applicants must show a full year of support, totaling €13,092 ($14,160), to qualify for the job-search residence permit under §20a of the Residence Act.

The figure is tied to the social benefit baseline Germany uses for students and job-seekers and it replaces the previous €1,027 monthly threshold referenced in earlier embassy materials. The Chancenkarte lets qualified non-EU nationals enter Germany without a job offer to look for work for up to one year, with 20 hours per week of part-time work allowed and short trial employment of up to two weeks per employer.

Who feels the change

The higher threshold hits non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals applying for the Chancenkarte, including recent graduates and skilled workers without a German job offer, plus anyone in Germany switching from another status to the Opportunity Card.

Tourists on Schengen short-stays aren't covered by the €1,091 rule, though they still face general subsistence checks. EU Blue Card applicants and other employment-permit holders fall under separate income criteria. Germany still has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so remote workers on tourist stays remain in a legal gray zone.

How to show the money

Applicants can prove funds through any of the following, per German mission checklists:

• A blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany capped at €1,091 monthly withdrawal
• A Verpflichtungserklärung (formal declaration of commitment) issued in Germany under §§66-68 of the Residence Act, no older than six months, with proof of creditworthiness and the Chancenkarte purpose noted
• Bank statements from the last three months showing sufficient funds in the applicant's name, accepted by some missions
• A part-time work contract in Germany covering the monthly amount, up to 20 hours per week

Applicants going through the points route still need at least 6 points based on qualifications, language, age and shortage occupation, plus German at A1 or English at B2. The Chancenkarte is issued for up to one year on first grant, with a follow-up permit of up to two more years available for those who land qualified work.

Read our full Germany guide for the complete picture or browse more visa updates.