Expat guide
Family Reunion Visa in Germany: Complete Guide for Expats
Join your spouse or children in Germany — prove the relationship, secure housing and income, meet the A1 German rule for spouses, and apply at the embassy before travel.
Overview
Family reunification (Familiennachzug) lets spouses, registered partners, and minor children join someone who already lives legally in Germany. The joining family member applies for a national visa (type D) at a German embassy abroad — not at the Ausländerbehörde in Germany.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | §§27–36 AufenthG (spouses §30, children §32) |
| Who applies | Family member abroad at German embassy |
| Sponsor | Spouse/parent already in Germany with valid status |
| Spouse language | German A1 usually required — many exemptions |
| Key sponsor proofs | Income, housing, health insurance |
| Processing time | Often 3–12 months |
This guide focuses on the cases expats face most: joining a working spouse or bringing children. For visa route context, see German visa types. If you are the sponsor on an EU Blue Card, read the exemptions section first.
Who can apply
| Family member | Typical route |
|---|---|
| Spouse / registered partner | Spousal reunification (Ehegattennachzug) — both must be 18+; civil marriage recognised in Germany |
| Minor child (under 18) | Join parent with custody — birth certificate and custody proof |
| Child 16–17 | Possible with integration prospects or language skills — case-by-case |
| Parent of minor German child | Special route to care for German citizen child — different income rules |
| Parents of adult residents | Very limited — only in hardship cases (not covered here) |
Religious-only marriage ceremonies without civil registration are not accepted. Same-sex marriages and registered partnerships recognised in Germany qualify.
What the sponsor needs
The person already in Germany must prove they can support the family:
| Requirement | What authorities check |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Valid Aufenthaltstitel, EU citizenship, or German citizenship |
| Secure livelihood | Income high enough that the family does not need social benefits (e.g. Bürgergeld) |
| Adequate housing | Enough living space for all family members — rental contract or ownership proof |
| Health insurance | Cover for sponsor and joining family — see health insurance guide |
Use the Make it in Germany livelihood calculator to estimate whether income is sufficient. Bring recent payslips, employment contract, and Steuerbescheid (tax assessment) if available.
Housing (Wohnraum)
Embassies and Ausländerbehörde check that your flat is large enough. Rules vary by Bundesland, but expect minimum space per person (often around 12 m² per person as a guideline). A single-room sublet is usually rejected for a couple with children.
Documents: Mietvertrag, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, floor plan or size statement if requested.
German A1 for spouses
Under §30 AufenthG, joining spouses must usually prove basic German at A1 level before entering Germany — not after arrival.
Accepted certificates
- Start Deutsch 1 — Goethe-Institut or telc
- Grundstufe Deutsch 1 — ÖSD
- Certificates should usually be less than one year old
Common exemptions (no A1 required)
| Exemption | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sponsor holds EU Blue Card | Spouse exempt from A1 — Blue Card guide |
| Sponsor holds ICT card or certain permits (§§18a, 18b, 18d, 19c, 21) | Marriage often must have existed before sponsor moved |
| Joining spouse is visa-free national | US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, etc. |
| University degree + low integration need | Realistic skilled employment prospects |
| Illness or disability prevents learning | Medical evidence required |
| Sponsor holds refugee permit (§25) | Marriage existed before sponsor fled |
| Obvious German skills at embassy interview | Embassy discretion — rare |
Always confirm exemptions with your embassy before skipping language preparation. An A1 certificate rarely hurts an application.
Official overview: BAMF spousal reunification PDF.
Children joining a parent
| Age | Language requirement |
|---|---|
| Under 16 | Usually no German certificate |
| 16–17 | May need language or integration proof |
Required documents:
- Child's birth certificate (legalised + translated)
- Proof of custody if parents are separated
- Consent from other parent if applicable
- Sponsor's income, housing, and insurance (same as spousal cases)
After arrival, enrol children in school or Kita as needed. If eligible, apply for Kindergeld (€259/month per child) and review parental leave rules.
Documents you need
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Document legalisation rules depend on your country of origin. The embassy website lists whether you need an apostille or consular legalisation before translation.
Step-by-step process
Confirm sponsor eligibility
Valid permit + income + housing — 2–4 weeks to gather proof
Legalise and translate documents
4–8 weeks — marriage/birth certificates from home country
Spouse A1 German (if required)
2–6 months of study + exam booking
Embassy visa application
Book appointment — processing 3–12 months
Enter Germany + Anmeldung
Register all family members within 14 days
Collect residence permits
Ausländerbehörde — separate cards for each family member
1. Sponsor checks eligibility (in Germany)
Before the family applies abroad:
- Confirm your permit is valid and allows family reunion
- Ensure lease covers all family members
- Verify income meets livelihood requirements
- Add family to health insurance plan or arrange incoming cover
- Gather copies of passport, Meldebescheinigung, payslips, and permit
2. Prepare relationship documents (abroad)
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate
- Legalisation (apostille) in country of issue
- Certified German translation by a sworn translator
- Passport copies and photos for each applicant
Allow 1–3 months for legalisation and translation.
3. Meet A1 German (spouses, if required)
Book Start Deutsch 1 at Goethe-Institut or telc in the joining spouse's country. Typical preparation: 2–6 months for beginners.
4. Apply at the German embassy
The family member abroad submits the national visa application:
- Complete forms on digital.diplo.de
- Book embassy appointment
- Submit all documents + visa fee (~€75 per adult)
- Attend interview — processing 3–12 months
Both spouses may need to attend if applying together from abroad.
5. Enter Germany and register
- Travel within visa validity
- Anmeldung for every family member within 14 days
- Open bank accounts if needed
- Activate health insurance
Follow the just arrived path for admin order.
6. Collect residence permits
Book Ausländerbehörde for each family member to receive Aufenthaltstitel cards tied to the sponsor's status. Children receive permits aligned with the parent's permit duration.
Spouses of EU Blue Card holders can usually work without restriction once permitted — confirm permit wording.
Costs to budget
| Item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | ~€75 per person |
| Visa fee (minor) | ~€37.50–75 — embassy dependent |
| Document legalisation + translation | €50–300+ per document |
| A1 German course + exam | €150–500 |
| Residence permit fees (in Germany) | ~€50–100 per person |
| Health insurance | Family tariff — varies by provider |
After reunion
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Child benefit | Kindergeld — €259/month per child |
| Parental leave | Parental leave (Elternzeit) |
| Sponsor renews permit | Visa extension |
| Tax ID for spouse | Tax ID once employed |
If the sponsor loses employment, inform the Ausländerbehörde immediately — livelihood requirements must stay met. See unemployment guide for ALG I rules.
Common mistakes
- Applying after informal marriage only — Civil registry marriage required.
- Skipping A1 without checking exemptions — Visa refused with no refund.
- Undersized apartment — Housing rejection is common in big cities.
- Sponsor on Bürgergeld — Social benefit reliance blocks reunion.
- Expired language certificate — Retake if older than 12 months.
- Wrong visa type — Family reunion is national D-visa, not Schengen visitor.
- Child custody documents missing — Separated parents need notarised consent.
Related guides
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| All visa routes | German visa types |
| Sponsor on Blue Card | EU Blue Card |
| After arrival | Just arrived path |
| With children | Kindergeld |
Frequently asked questions
Does my spouse need German A1 for family reunion?
Usually yes — spouses must prove basic German (A1) before entry, typically with Start Deutsch 1 (Goethe, telc, or ÖSD). Exemptions apply if you hold an EU Blue Card or certain skilled-worker permits, if the joining spouse is from a visa-free country like the US or Canada, has a university degree with low integration need, or cannot learn due to illness or disability. Confirm with your embassy before skipping the test.
How much income does the sponsor need in Germany?
The sponsor must support all family members without relying on social benefits (such as Bürgergeld). There is no single nationwide salary figure — authorities assess net income, housing costs, and family size. Use the Make it in Germany livelihood calculator and bring recent payslips, tax assessments, and employment contracts.
How long does a family reunion visa take?
Embassy processing often takes 3–12 months depending on country and case complexity. Document legalisation, translations, and A1 language preparation add time upfront — start 6–12 months before your target move date.
Can EU Blue Card holders bring family without A1 German?
Yes — spouses of EU Blue Card holders are generally exempt from the A1 language requirement. They still need relationship proof, adequate housing, health insurance, and proof the sponsor can support the family. See our EU Blue Card guide for the sponsor side.
Can children join without speaking German?
Minor children under 16 usually do not need a language certificate. Children aged 16–17 may need to show language skills or integration prospects depending on circumstances. Birth certificates and custody documents must be legalised and translated.
What housing proof is required?
The sponsor must show adequate living space for the whole family — typically a signed rental contract (Mietvertrag) or proof of ownership. Authorities apply minimum square-metre rules that vary by Bundesland. A crowded WG room often fails the test.
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