Federal Republic of Germany
Family reunion residence permit processing time
Consular family-reunion processing ranges from 3 months (EU Blue Card spouse fast-track) to over a year in jurisdictions with long appointment queues.
Typical window
3 months – 1.0 years
Government fees
Visa €75; residence permit €100.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Family reunion residence permit sits in the family category. Typical duration: Typically 1–3 years at a time; leads to settlement.. Indicative government fees: Visa €75; residence permit €100..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Spouses and minor children of German residents, Spouses of EU Blue Card and Skilled Worker permit holders.
Primary 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?
Consular family-reunion processing ranges from 3 months (EU Blue Card spouse fast-track) to over a year in jurisdictions with long appointment queues. These figures come from Auswärtiges Amt — Family reunion and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.