Indian applicants · Federal Republic of Germany
Family reunion residence permit for Indian citizens
Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens.
This page covers the Family reunion residence permit specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 3 months – 12 months
- Government fees
- Visa €75; residence permit €100.
- Typical duration
- Typically 1–3 years at a time; leads to settlement.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai / Kolkata
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Federal Republic of Germany. The Family reunion residence permit is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
3 months – 12 months
German family-reunion visas range from around 3 months – for example, a spouse joining an EU Blue Card holder on the fast-track – to more than a year at consulates with long appointment backlogs. For most families the deciding factor is how quickly you can get an appointment at your local German mission, not the decision itself.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → Niederlassungserlaubnis (21-60 months depending on route and German level) → citizenship (5 years).
Leads to Niederlassungserlaubnis (Settlement Permit), then German citizenship.
Visa overview
Family reunion covers spouses and minor children of Germans and non-EU residents. Requirements include adequate housing, sufficient income, and — for spouses in most cases — A1 German before arrival. Several exemptions apply, including for spouses of Blue Card holders.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Qualifying sponsor resident in Germany.
- ✓Adequate income and housing.
- ✓A1 German for spouses (with exemptions, including Blue Card spouses).
Common blockers
- !Sponsor's income or housing insufficient.
- !A1 German not attained and no exemption applies.
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage certificate (apostilled / legalised).
- ·Sponsor's payslips and accommodation evidence.
- ·Language certificate.
Application pathway
Confirm sponsor eligibility and document housing/income
Sponsor prepares apartment rental contract, Meldebescheinigung, and income evidence.
Attain A1 German if required
Sit the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 or equivalent.
Apply for family-reunion visa at consulate
Submit with marriage/birth certificates and supporting documents.
Enter Germany and register for residence permit
Anmeldung and Ausländerbehörde appointment.
Other Federal Republic of Germany routes covered for Indian applicants
EU Blue Card (Germany)
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer.
Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)
Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers from any country move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required.
Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG)
Sponsored work and residence permit for qualified non-EU workers from any country worldwide who have a German job offer and a recognised qualification.
Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)
Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany.
Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG)
Residence permit for self-employed workers and liberal professionals establishing a business in Germany.
Not sure Federal Republic of Germany is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer family routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Family reunion residence permit?+
Eligibility for the Family reunion residence permit is set by BAMF and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Family reunion residence permit?+
New Delhi / Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai / Kolkata. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by BAMF — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Federal Republic of Germany as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Federal Republic of Germany. The Family reunion residence permit is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Family reunion residence permit take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 3 months – 12 months. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai / Kolkata, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Federal Republic of Germany?+
Arrival → Niederlassungserlaubnis (21-60 months depending on route and German level) → citizenship (5 years). The route leads to Niederlassungserlaubnis (Settlement Permit), then German citizenship. See BMI — German citizenship law for the qualifying-residence rules.
Do spouses of EU Blue Card holders need to speak German?+
No. Spouses of Blue Card holders are typically exempt from the pre-arrival A1 German requirement. This is one of the most practical advantages of the Blue Card route.