Family Reunification in Germany: Bring Your Relatives

Familienzusammenführung (family reunification) lets certain close family members join you in Germany. The process depends on your residence status, who you want to bring, and whether they meet income, housing, and language rules.

In most cases you need a valid residence permit, enough income to support your family without welfare, adequate living space, and sometimes basic German (A1) for your spouse. Important exceptions apply, especially for EU Blue Card holders and some refugee cases.

Timelines vary widely: from a few months for Blue Card families to much longer waits for some nationalities or protection-status cases. Start by identifying which rule set applies to you.

For skilled work status, see Skilled Worker Visa (Germany). For students, see Student Visa for Germany. For protection status context, see Asylum Process in Germany. For registration after arrival, see Anmeldung.

Who can join you

Spouses and registered partners. Most common route. Registered life partnerships are generally treated like marriage.

Children under 16. Can usually join if you have custody and meet financial and housing requirements.

Children aged 16 to 17. Must either show B1 German or receive a positive integration prognosis from your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).

Children over 18. Generally not eligible, except in serious hardship cases.

Parents. Very restricted. Usually only in exceptional hardship (for example serious illness or complete dependency).

Siblings. Not eligible under standard family reunification rules.

Rules by your residence status

Requirements change depending on what permit you hold in Germany.

EU Blue Card holders. Usually the simplest path. Your salary often counts as sufficient income proof. Your spouse generally does not need German before entry, can work immediately in any job, and there is typically no waiting period. See EU Blue Card in Germany for permit-specific benefits.

Skilled worker permit holders. You must support your family without public benefits and provide adequate housing per person (local Ausländerbehörde standards). For sponsors with a skilled worker permit (Sections 18a and 18b), your spouse is exempt from the A1 requirement before entry. For other work permit types, check with the embassy. The A1 requirement applies unless an exception under Section 30 para. 1 sentence 3 AufenthG is met. After arrival, your spouse can work, though initial work permission may need a separate check depending on the permit note in the visa.

Students. Family reunification is possible but harder. You must show financial support (for example blocked account or scholarship). Your spouse usually needs A1 German and may only work part-time.

Recognized refugees. Within three months of recognition, income, housing, and visa requirements may be waived (Section 29 para. 2 AufenthG). Apply as early as possible. After three months, standard income and housing requirements usually apply. Separately, if your marriage existed before you relocated to Germany, your spouse is permanently exempt from the A1 requirement (Section 30 para. 1 sentence 3 no. 1 AufenthG).

Subsidiary protection holders. Reunification is allowed again after earlier restrictions, but income and space rules usually apply. Germany also applies a monthly cap (currently around 1,000 family reunification cases per month for this group). Expect longer waits.

German citizens. You must show you can support your family. Your spouse generally does not need to prove German before arrival, and processing is often faster than for many third-country sponsors.

German language requirement for spouses

Spouses of many regular work permit holders, students, and subsidiary protection sponsors usually need A1 German before the embassy issues the visa. A1 is beginner level and often takes a few months of study. Exams are available at Goethe-Institut centers and other certified providers worldwide.

Common exemptions (examples).

• Spouses of EU Blue Card holders
• Spouses of holders of skilled worker permits under Sections 18a and 18b
• Spouses of German citizens
• Spouses of recognized refugees when the marriage existed before the sponsor relocated to Germany
• Sponsors whose nationality permits visa-free entry to Germany for non-short stays (Section 30 para. 1 sentence 3 no. 4), when that applies to the family reunification case
• Children under 16
• People who cannot learn German due to illness or disability
• Some spouses with a university degree or professional background where no integration need is assumed (case-by-case)

Confirm exemptions with your embassy and Ausländerbehörde. Rules are applied strictly on documents.

Application steps and timeline

Sponsor in Germany (you).

1. Gather your residence permit, income proof, employment contract, and rental agreement showing enough space.
2. Ask your Ausländerbehörde whether you need prior approval (Vorabzustimmung). Requirements differ by city.
3. Obtain a sponsorship declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) if required. This is common when income is borderline, the family member has no return ticket, or the embassy requests it.

Family member abroad.

4. Find the responsible German embassy and book a visa appointment.
5. Prepare passport, marriage or birth certificates, photos, insurance, and language certificate if A1 is required.
6. Submit the visa application with all documents.
7. Wait for processing. Many cases take about 2 to 6 months, but some nationalities take longer.

Use BAMF NAVI to find competent offices.

After your family arrives

Registration. Everyone must register their address at the Bürgeramt within 14 days. See Anmeldung.

Residence permits. Spouses and children apply at the local Ausländerbehörde for their own permits. Spouses may need to join an integration course. Work rights depend on the note in the visa and your sponsor status.

Children and benefits. School attendance is mandatory for school-age children. Your family may qualify for child benefit (Kindergeld) if other conditions are met.

Legal basis (overview). Family reunification is mainly governed by Sections 27 to 36 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). Spouse rules are in Section 30, child rules (including ages 16 to 17) in Section 32, and sponsorship declarations in Section 68. Check current English summaries on official sites below rather than relying on outdated summaries alone.

Next steps

1. Confirm who you want to bring and whether they are eligible.
2. Match your permit type to the correct income, housing, and language rules.
3. Contact your Ausländerbehörde about Vorabzustimmung and Verpflichtungserklärung.
4. Help your family member book the embassy appointment and prepare A1 if needed.
5. Plan housing that meets local space rules before they travel.
6. After arrival, complete registration and residence permit appointments quickly.

Useful links

• BAMF NAVI: Find local authorities
• Make it in Germany: Family reunification
• BAMF: Family reunification information