Family Reunification in Germany: Who Can Join You

You are building a life in Germany while your partner or children wait abroad. The fear is that one missing document, the wrong permit type, or a late language certificate will reset months of waiting.

Familienzusammenführung (family reunification) lets certain close family members join you. What you need depends on your residence status, who you want to bring, and income, housing, and language rules. Blue Card families often move faster; some protection-status cases wait much longer. Start by matching your permit to the rule set below, not by collecting every certificate you can find.

For skilled work status, see Skilled Worker Visa (Germany). Other routes (students, asylum, Blue Card) are linked where those rules differ.

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.

If the person you hope to bring is outside this list, do not force a standard reunification file. Ask the Ausländerbehörde about hardship options before you book embassy dates that cannot succeed.

What your permit type changes

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. See Student Visa for Germany.

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). For protection status context, see Asylum Process in Germany.

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.

Does your spouse need A1 German

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. If you think you are exempt, get that in writing or on an official checklist before you skip the exam.

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. Book housing that meets local space rules before your family travels; a too-small flat can stall the file after everything else is ready.

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.

Renewals. File about eight weeks before a family permit expires. You still need to show the marriage or parental relationship continues and that the sponsor still qualifies (secure livelihood, housing, and the right status). A timely application can produce a Fiktionsbescheinigung under Section 81 AufenthG while the office decides; confirm travel and work rights before leaving Germany. If the family has been here long enough, ask about permanent residence at the same appointment.

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

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. Official starting points:

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