To protect marriage and family, spouses and registered partners, parents and minor, unmarried children have the possibility of joining their relatives in Germany. We support you throughout family reunification — from the visa application to the residence permit.
Focus: family reunification
Family reunification allows relatives to join a person already living in Germany. Which requirements apply depends above all on whether you are joining a German national, an EU citizen or a third-country national. The joining family members are allowed to work in Germany. We assess your case legally and show you the appropriate path.
Who can join?
- Spouses as well as registered partners
- Minor, unmarried children joining their parents
- Parents joining their minor children living in Germany
- Other family members in cases of particular hardship
Typical requirements
When joining a third-country national, certain requirements must generally be met. For German nationals and EU citizens, more favourable conditions often apply.
- Lawful residence of the person living in Germany with a valid residence title (e.g. settlement or residence permit or recognition as a refugee)
- Adequate housing for the family
- A secured livelihood, as a rule without public benefits
- For spouse reunification, usually basic German language skills (level A1) of the joining person; exceptions apply in certain cases
- An existing marriage or registered partnership (in principle both partners of full age)
How we support you
- Review of your individual requirements and prospects of success
- Compilation and examination of the necessary evidence and documents
- Support with the visa procedure at the responsible embassy or consulate general
- Representation before the immigration authority and in administrative proceedings
- Legal remedies in case of rejection (remonstration, court action, urgent legal protection)
- Advice in cases of hardship and in special family constellations
Legal basis
Family reunification is essentially governed by Sections 27 ff. of the Residence Act (AufenthG) and — for joining EU citizens — by Section 3 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU (FreizügG/EU). As the requirements depend on the residence status of the sponsoring person and the respective family constellation, early legal advice is advisable.