GERMANY JOBS
Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Top Jobs for 2026 🇩🇪
JO
JobInterview TeamAuthor
18. November 2025
18 min read

Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Top Jobs for 2026 🇩🇪
Germany has a problem: it needs 400,000 new workers every year to maintain its economy.
To solve this, they introduced the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), a points-based system that allows you to move to Germany before you have a job offer to look for work.
Here is where the jobs are.
🛠️ Engineering & Manufacturing (The Engine of Europe)
"Made in Germany" relies on talent.
| Role | Avg Salary | German Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | €60,000+ | B1/B2 |
| Electrical Engineer | €62,000+ | B1/B2 |
| Mechatronics | €55,000+ | B1 |
| Automation Engineer | €65,000+ | B2 |
💻 IT & Software (Berlin & Munich Hubs)
English is the working language in many startups.
- Software Developers: Java, C++, Python.
- SAP Consultants: Huge demand in corporate sectors.
- Data Analysts: Driving Industry 4.0.
💡 Tip: For IT specialists, you might not even need a degree if you have 3 years of experience.
🏥 Healthcare & Nursing
- Nurses (Pflegefachkraft): Massive shortage.
- Elderly Care: Aging population needs support.
- Doctors: Recognition of foreign degrees can take time, but the job guarantee is high.
🎫 The Chancenkarte Points System
You need 6 points to qualify.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Foreign Degree (Recognized) | +4 |
| 3 Years Experience | +3 |
| German Language (B2) | +3 |
| English Language (C1) | +1 |
| Age < 35 | +2 |
| Age 35-40 | +1 |
🇩🇪 Interview Culture: "Direkt und Pünktlich"
- Punctuality: Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Being late is a dealbreaker.
- Directness: Germans value facts over fluff. Don't "sell" yourself with adjectives; use numbers.
- Formal: Titles matter (Herr/Frau).
Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)
Published: November 2025 | Reading Time: 18 minutes
JO