Federal Republic of Germany · Processing time
Family reunion residence permit: how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
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.
How long does the Family reunion residence permit take to process in Germany?
The typical published decision window is 3 months – 12 months from a complete application. 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 against Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
3 months – 12 months
from complete application
Government fees
Visa €75; residence permit €100.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Family reunion residence permit?
Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens.
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.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Federal Republic of Germany.
- Typical permit length: Typically 1–3 years at a time; leads to settlement.
- Indicative government fees: Visa €75; residence permit €100.
Priority and fast-track options
Most spouses must show basic German (A1) before the visa is issued, though there are exemptions – notably for the families of EU Blue Card and many skilled-worker holders – so check whether the certificate applies to you before booking. Joining a Blue Card or skilled-worker holder is generally the quickest category. Once in Germany, the residence card is issued by the local Ausländerbehörde, which can add its own appointment wait.
How to read this estimate
The 3 months – 12 months window is the time Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion typically associates with the Family reunion residence permit — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/family-reunification
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Family reunion residence permit take to process?+
The typical wait is 3 months – 12 months from submitting a complete application. 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. These figures come from Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 3 months – 12 months clock start?+
The clock starts when Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Most spouses must show basic German (A1) before the visa is issued, though there are exemptions – notably for the families of EU Blue Card and many skilled-worker holders – so check whether the certificate applies to you before booking. Joining a Blue Card or skilled-worker holder is generally the quickest category. Once in Germany, the residence card is issued by the local Ausländerbehörde, which can add its own appointment wait.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Family reunion residence permit application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (3 months – 12 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.