Federal Republic of Germany · family · Leads to settlement
Family reunion residence permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens.
- Processing time
- Varies — historically 6–12 months from consulate to residence permit.
- 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
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.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Turkish applicants
Turkish family-reunion applicants benefit from EU–Turkey Association Agreement (Ankara Agreement) jurisprudence in some …
Indian applicants
Indian family-reunion is the largest non-EU cohort, almost entirely as Blue-Card-spouse joins (which are exempt from the…
Ukrainian applicants
Ukrainian nationals already in Germany under §24 AufenthG temporary protection use a simplified family-reunion process f…
Russian applicants
Russian family-reunion applications continue under standard rules, but document apostille is increasingly difficult — th…
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.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantApply for family reunification visa ↗
Use this official navigator page to identify the right family-reunion visa and filing path.
German Federal Foreign Office · verified
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorCheck BAMF family guidance ↗
Applicant and sponsor use this official guidance to confirm income, housing and language requirements.
BAMF · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Visa €75; residence permit €100.. A decision then typically takes 3 months – 12 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
Also explored by
Compare Federal Republic of Germany with
Related routes
EU Blue Card (Germany)
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
How long does it take to bring my spouse and child to Germany on a family-reunion visa?+
Processing varies and has historically taken roughly 6 to 12 months from the consulate application to the residence permit being issued.
Does my spouse need to speak German to join me in Germany?+
In most cases a spouse needs A1 German before arrival, evidenced by a certificate such as the Goethe-Zertifikat A1. Several exemptions apply, most notably for spouses of EU Blue Card holders.
Can a family-reunion residence permit lead to permanent residence?+
Yes. The family-reunion residence permit is on a settlement track, typically issued for 1 to 3 years at a time and leading to settlement.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor →