Family-Based Immigration to Germany

Germany allows spouses, registered partners, minor children and, in some cases, parents to join family members living here. The requirements depend mainly on your relationship, nationality and the residence status of the person you are joining.

This guide explains the main routes and their general requirements. It does not assess whether you qualify for a particular visa or residence permit.

Who This Page Covers

This page is for internationals who want to join a spouse, registered partner, parent or child living in Germany.

Different rules apply depending on whether the family member in Germany is:

  • a German citizen
  • a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland
  • a citizen of another country with a German residence title

If you are moving to Germany independently for work, study, business or another purpose and want your family to accompany you, the relevant immigration guide may provide additional information.

→ Explore Work-based immigration

→ Explore Education-based immigration

→ Explore Business-based immigration

Different Routes, One Constitutional Right

Article 6 of Germany’s constitution protects family life, which is why family reunification exists as a right rather than a discretionary favor. That said, the specific requirements, and how straightforward the process is, vary considerably depending on who you’re joining and their residence status.

Spouse or registered partner of a German citizen

A foreign spouse or registered partner can normally apply to join a German citizen whose main residence is in Germany.

The general requirements include:

  • a marriage or registered partnership recognised in Germany
  • both partners normally being at least 18 years old
  • basic German language skills, usually at level A1, unless an exception applies
  • the intention to live together as a family in Germany

The rules are generally more favourable than those for joining a foreign resident. A particular minimum income is not normally the central requirement when joining a German spouse.

The residence permit generally allows the joining spouse or partner to work in Germany.

Exceptions to the German language requirement can apply, for example because of the applicant’s personal circumstances, the impossibility of learning German before entry or other legally recognised reasons. Whether an exception applies requires an individual assessment by the German mission or immigration authority.

→ More about Family reunificaiton visas

Different rules apply when the person living in Germany is a citizen of another EU or EEA country or Switzerland.

A spouse or qualifying registered partner from outside the EU can normally accompany or join the EU citizen when the EU citizen is exercising the right of free movement in Germany.

This can include EU citizens who are:

  • employed or self employed
  • studying
  • looking for work under EU rules
  • living in Germany with sufficient financial means and health insurance

Prior German language skills are not normally required under EU free movement rules. The joining family member can also live and work in Germany.

German citizens normally fall under German national family reunification law. EU rules can apply in particular situations, such as when a German citizen has previously lived with the family member in another EU country and then returns to Germany.

→ Learn more about Spouses joining EU citizens

A spouse or registered partner can also join an international who already holds an eligible German residence title.

The general requirements can include:

  • a valid marriage or recognised registered partnership
  • both partners being at least 18 years old
  • a valid residence title held by the person in Germany
  • sufficient funds and health insurance for the family
  • suitable accommodation, where this requirement applies
  • basic German language skills, unless an exception applies

The exact requirements depend heavily on the residence title of the person living in Germany.

Joining a skilled worker

Spouses joining certain skilled workers generally do not need to prove German language skills before entering Germany.

Spouses and minor children joining certain skilled workers are also no longer required to prove that the family has sufficient living space. Adequate health insurance and sufficient financial resources remain relevant.

Once the family reunification residence permit is issued, the spouse can work in Germany without restriction.

Joining someone with another residence title

Different rules may apply when the person in Germany is studying, completing vocational training, running a business or holding another temporary residence title.

Basic German, sufficient living space and proof that the family can cover its living costs may be required.

Some temporary residence titles also provide only limited possibilities for family reunification. The exact conditions should therefore be checked for the residence title held by the person in Germany.

→ Learn more about Spouses joining third-country nationals in Germany

Unmarried children under the age of 18 can generally join one or both parents who are entitled to live in Germany.

The application normally requires:

  • the child’s passport
  • the birth certificate
  • evidence of the parent’s residence status in Germany
  • proof of custody
  • consent from the other parent when only one parent is moving with the child

Children under 16 can generally join a parent who holds an eligible residence title.

Special conditions can apply to children aged 16 or 17 if they do not move to Germany together with their parents or the parent who has sole custody. In these cases, German language skills or evidence that the child can integrate into life in Germany may be relevant.

Different exceptions apply in some cases, including for children joining certain skilled workers. Children who are already 18 normally need their own independent basis for residence.

→ Learn more about Family reunification with children

A foreign parent can receive a residence permit to live with and care for a minor German child whose main residence is in Germany.

This route is based on the relationship between the parent and child rather than on marriage to the other parent.

The parent normally needs to demonstrate:

  • that the child is a German citizen
  • the legal parent and child relationship
  • custody rights or meaningful participation in the child’s care
  • the intention to maintain a genuine family relationship in Germany

Prior German language skills are not normally required.

A parent who does not have formal custody may still have a possible route when a genuine family relationship already exists and the parent plays an active role in the child’s life.

Questions about custody, disputed parenthood, contact rights or whether the relationship meets the legal requirements should be taken to a licensed immigration lawyer.

Since 1 March 2024, some internationals who received a qualifying residence title for the first time on or after that date may be able to bring their parents to Germany.

This possibility is not limited to EU Blue Card holders. It can also apply to holders of certain residence titles for skilled employment, research, specific professional activities and self employment.

Parents of the spouse may also qualify when the spouse lives permanently in Germany.

Applicants should expect to demonstrate that:

  • the family relationship is documented
  • living costs are secured
  • adequate health insurance is available
  • the person in Germany holds one of the residence titles covered by the rule
  • the qualifying residence title was first issued on or after 1 March 2024

Health insurance can be a significant practical obstacle, particularly for older parents who cannot join German statutory health insurance.

Because this is a relatively new and technically detailed route, the responsible German mission or immigration authority should confirm the applicable document requirements.

→ Learn more about Family reunification with parents

Other adult relatives do not normally have a general right to family reunification.

This can include:

  • adult children
  • siblings
  • grandparents
  • aunts and uncles
  • other extended family members

A residence permit may be possible in cases of exceptional hardship. This requires more than the normal emotional, practical or financial difficulty caused by family separation.

Whether a situation meets the legal threshold for exceptional hardship is an individual legal question. These cases should be discussed directly with a licensed German immigration lawyer.

How the application process works

Family members who require a visa normally apply through the Consular Services Portal or the responsible German mission abroad.

The required documents depend on the relationship, country of application and residence status of the family member in Germany.

Common documents include:

  • valid passports
  • marriage, partnership or birth certificates
  • proof of custody or parental consent
  • the German passport or residence permit of the family member in Germany
  • health insurance
  • proof of income and accommodation where required
  • German language certificate where required

Foreign civil status documents may need an apostille, legalization, verification or certified translation. The requirements differ between countries, so the checklist published by the responsible German mission should be followed.

The German mission usually involves the local immigration authority in Germany before deciding the application. Processing times can therefore depend on both authorities. Family reunification applications can now also be submitted online in many countries through the Consular Services Portal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Family-Based Immigration to Germany

Does every spouse need an A1 German certificate?

No.

Basic German is generally required when joining a German citizen or many third country residents, but several exceptions exist.

No prior German language proof is normally required when joining certain skilled workers. EU free movement rules also generally do not require an A1 certificate.

Other exceptions can depend on nationality, education, health, accessibility of language courses or the personal circumstances of the couple.

The responsible German mission decides whether the submitted evidence meets an exception.

A spouse who receives a residence permit for family reunification is generally permitted to work in Germany without restriction.

The right to work normally begins once the relevant visa or residence permit has been issued.

A marriage or qualifying registered partnership is normally required for spousal family reunification under German residence law.

A foreign registered partnership may qualify if it is officially registered and creates legal rights and obligations comparable to a recognised partnership.

Unmarried couples do not normally have the same right to family reunification. Different provisions can apply under EU free movement law.

Nationals of certain countries can enter Germany without a visa for the purpose of family reunification and apply for the residence permit after arrival.

These countries include Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as several other countries listed in the German Residence Ordinance.

Applying after arrival is not necessarily faster. Local immigration authorities can have long waiting times, and employment may not begin until the required residence permit has been issued.

A spouse cannot normally join an Opportunity Card holder solely through family reunification because the initial Opportunity Card is a temporary job search residence title.

Couples can enter together if both independently qualify for an Opportunity Card or another residence title.

Children may accompany an Opportunity Card holder under certain conditions, particularly when sufficient funds for the children are available.

Once the Opportunity Card holder moves to a qualifying employment residence permit, regular family reunification may become possible.

Yes, but special conditions can apply.

When a child aged 16 or 17 moves later and not together with the parents or the parent with sole custody, the authorities may examine German language skills or the child’s ability to integrate.

The rules can be more favourable when the child moves together with the parents or joins certain skilled workers.

There is no single processing time.

The duration depends on the German mission, the local immigration authority, the completeness of the documents and whether civil status documents must be verified.

Applicants should follow the document checklist carefully and apply as early as possible. The authority processing the application is the only body that can provide information about the current status of an individual case.

Need help bringing the information together?

Family based immigration can involve relationship documents, language requirements, custody, finances, health insurance and different rules depending on the residence status of the family member in Germany.

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I review the information you provide when booking so that we can focus on your priorities from the beginning.

Afterwards, you receive a written summary with the main points, practical next steps and useful links.

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