What IELTS score do you need for Germany's Opportunity Card?

The portal's questions and answers say certificates must come from an institution certified by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) or another recognised examining institution, and name IELTS and TOEFL as recognised English tests. It does not say whether IELTS Academic or General Training is required. Because it names neither module, confirm with the German mission handling your visa, which the portal names as the place for further information on language proof.

Two rules there catch people out. As a rule, a certificate is only accepted if the exam was taken no more than one year ago, which is shorter than the two years most bodies use (IELTS validity); if you re-sat individual modules, the date of the first module you passed counts. And native English speakers still need a certificate at B2 or higher. If you need IELTS for this, take it at a test centre: the British Council in Germany says IELTS Online is not accepted by immigration authorities.

You need at least 6 points from the criteria below, all backed by documents (points system). English at B2 earns no points by itself: it only lets you apply. German above A1 earns up to 3 points, and English at C1 or a native speaker adds 1.

Make it in Germany states the level in CEFR terms only. ielts.org's IELTS and the CEFR chart maps overall bands, not section scores, and stresses it is not an exact equivalence. It calls band 5 borderline between B1 and B2, and says the C1 threshold falls between 6.5 and 7, so many 6.5 test takers are C1 but some are just below; for real confidence of C1 it suggests a 7. More levels are in CEFR to IELTS.

The language rule is either/or: German A1 or English B2. German pays more in points (up to 3, against 1 for English C1), so if you already speak some German it may be the easier way to reach 6. The examples below add up the official criteria only.

A 30-year-old whose qualification was found partially equivalent: 4 points for the partial recognition plus 2 for age makes 6, so English at B2 is enough. A 37-year-old without a partial-recognition notice but with six years of experience in a shortage occupation: 3 for experience, 1 for age and 1 for the shortage occupation make 5, so English at C1 (the sixth point) or German at A2 decides the application.

Make it in Germany's self-check gives a first assessment, and the portal says you can then apply online through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal.

An IELTS test in Germany costs EUR 286 (IELTS cost in Germany), and centres run from Berlin to Munich (test dates and centres). Before booking, take a free IELTS mock test scored by BandLadder AI: 5.5 or more overall points to B2, and 7.0 to the extra C1 point. Not sure which module to practise? See IELTS Academic vs General Training.