Family Reunification in Germany: Visas for Spouses & Children
Learn how to bring your family to Germany, meet income guidelines, and prove A1 German.
Family reunification (Familienzusammenführung) is the legal process that allows spouses, registered partners, and minor children of non-EU citizens residing in Germany to join them and obtain a residence permit. The German government highly values the protection of marriage and family (under Article 6 of the Basic Law), but imposes clear financial and administrative requirements on the sponsor residing in Germany to ensure that the family does not rely on public social assistance.
Constraining conditions apply to the sponsor's status. To bring your family over, you must hold a valid residence permit (such as a work visa, Blue Card, or permanent settlement permit), have sufficient living space (Wohnungsgröße) for the entire family, and prove that you can cover their living costs through your salary (Lebensunterhalt). Self-employed individuals must provide comprehensive tax assessments and accountant certificates.
Additionally, spouses must generally demonstrate basic German language skills at level A1 (known as Sprachnachweis A1) before applying for the visa. However, there are significant exemptions to this rule: for example, if the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card, works as a highly qualified researcher, or if the spouse holds a university degree. Navigating these exceptions and securing appointments at the German embassy in the home country are key to a successful process.
📋 Steps for Family Reunification
- 1
Verify Sponsor Requirements
Ensure the sponsor in Germany has a valid permit, sufficient salary to cover all family members, and a registered address.
- 2
Find Suitable Housing
Rent an apartment that meets the minimum size requirements (typically 12 square meters per family member aged 6 and over).
- 3
Acquire A1 German Proof
Unless exempt, the joining spouse must pass a recognized A1 German exam (like Goethe-Institut Start Deutsch 1).
- 4
Book Embassy Appointment
Secure a visa appointment for family reunification (Familienzusammenführung) at the German embassy in the family's country of residence.
- 5
Prepare Legal Documents
Gather and translate birth and marriage certificates. Ensure all foreign certificates have an apostille or legalized stamp.
- 6
Submit Visa Application
The family members must attend the embassy appointment in person to submit their application. The embassy forwards the documents to the local Ausländerbehörde.
✅ Required Documents
- ▸Completed visa application forms for family reunification
- ▸Valid passports of the joining family members and copy of sponsor's passport/permit
- ▸Marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde) with apostille and German translation
- ▸Birth certificates (Geburtsurkunde) of children with apostille and translation
- ▸A1 German language certificate (Sprachnachweis A1) or proof of exemption
- ▸Sponsor's employment contract, recent 3 months payslips, and landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- ▸Current rental agreement showing apartment square footage and monthly rent
⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ✕Applying with insufficient housing size (if the apartment is too small, the Ausländerbehörde will reject the visa approval)
- ✕Presenting non-apostilled certificates (foreign marriage and birth certificates must have an apostille or be legalized to be recognized)
- ✕Assuming exemption from A1 German language proof without formal verification (always double-check embassy checklists)
- ✕Including public welfare (like Bürgergeld) in your income calculation (only self-earned income qualifies to prove self-sufficiency)
💶 Fees and Timelines
The visa fee at the German embassy is €75 per adult and €37.50 per child (approx. on 2026). Translation, apostille, and language exam fees vary between €300 and €600. The entire reunification process takes between 3 to 6 months.
📖 Useful Reunification Terms
- die Familienzusammenführung
- Family reunification / joining family
- der Sprachnachweis A1
- Proof of A1 German language skills
- die Heiratsurkunde
- Marriage certificate
- die Geburtsurkunde
- Birth certificate
- der Lebensunterhalt
- Cost of living / self-sufficiency
- die Wohnungsgröße
- Apartment size / square footage
- die Verpflichtungserklärung
- Formal declaration of commitment / sponsorship
- die Ausländerbehörde
- Foreigners' registration office
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does my spouse need A1 German to join me in Germany?+
Yes, in most cases, a basic A1 certificate is required. However, exceptions exist if the sponsor has an EU Blue Card, ICT card, or is a scientist.
How much space is required for the apartment?+
Generally, municipalities require at least 12 square meters of living space per person aged 6 and over, and 10 square meters for children under 6.
Can my spouse work immediately upon arrival?+
Yes. Spouses joining under family reunification receive full, unrestricted access to the German labor market, identical to the sponsor's rights.
How is 'sufficient income' calculated by the office?+
The Ausländerbehörde calculates a net income threshold based on standard social assistance rates (Bürgergeld) plus rent and heating costs.
Can minor children join their parents in Germany?+
Yes, children under 16 can join. Children between 16 and 18 can also join, but may face stricter integration or language requirements.
What happens if we divorce after arriving in Germany?+
If you divorce, your spouse may lose their residence permit unless they have lived in Germany on a spouse visa for at least 3 years.
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