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Germany now offers several ways for qualified Nigerians to work there: a skilled worker residence permit when you have a job offer, an EU Blue Card for higher salaries, and the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for people who want to come first and search for a job. This guide compares them and shows how the Opportunity Card points system works. For job-search tips and the Blue Card salary levels, see our Germany work guide.
The routes compared
| Route | Job offer? | Main requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker permit | Yes | Recognised degree or vocational training and a job that matches it | Granted for the contract period, extendable |
| EU Blue Card | Yes | University degree and a minimum salary of €50,700 (or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and recent graduates) in 2026 | Up to 4 years, extendable |
| Opportunity Card | No | Recognised qualification, language, funds and at least 6 points | 12 months |
Opportunity Card: what you need
- Qualification: a recognised university degree, or vocational training of at least two years, recognised in Germany.
- Language: German at A1 level, or English at B2.
- Funds: about €1,091 per month (€13,092 for the year in 2026), shown through a blocked account or equivalent proof, unless a job or sponsor covers your costs.
- Points: at least 6 points on the points table below.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Recognised qualification | Up to 4 |
| Professional experience | Up to 3 |
| German language skills | Up to 3 |
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Ties to Germany | Points available |
The exact points per level are set in the law and on the official Make it in Germany site. Check the current table before you apply, as the cut-offs depend on the level of qualification, experience and language you can prove.
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What the Opportunity Card allows
- Stay in Germany for up to 12 months to look for work.
- Work part time for up to 20 hours a week.
- Do trial jobs of up to two weeks each, with no limit on how many.
- Extension is possible in certain cases, for up to two more years if you hold a qualifying job offer.
Skilled worker permit: what you need
- A job offer or contract from a German employer.
- A recognised degree or vocational qualification.
- For regulated professions such as nursing and medicine, a professional licence or recognition decision.
- German language skills if the job or profession requires them.
Worked example
A 27-year-old nurse in Lagos has a four-year nursing degree, three years of hospital experience and German at A1. She first checks that her qualification can be recognised in Germany. If a hospital gives her a contract, she applies for the skilled worker permit. If she has no offer yet, she can apply for the Opportunity Card, using her qualification, experience, age and language to reach 6 points, and then look for a job in Germany.
Steps for Nigerian applicants
- Check recognition of your qualification on the Make it in Germany site and the Anabin database.
- Choose your route based on whether you have a job offer.
- Prepare translated and legalised documents. See the translation guide.
- Book a visa appointment at the German mission in Nigeria.
- After arrival, register your address and get your residence permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from the Opportunity Card to a work permit?
Yes. If you find a qualifying job, you can apply for a work residence permit from inside Germany.
Is German required for all jobs?
No. Many IT roles work in English. Care, trades and public-facing jobs usually need German.
Does the Opportunity Card guarantee a job?
No. It gives you the right to search, not a job, so plan your savings and your search carefully.
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