Family reunification (Familiennachzug)

Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 29 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.

Who it is for

Spouses, registered partners and minor children of a person who lives in Germany with a valid residence title, and spouses, children and parents of a German citizen. Per Make it in Germany, EU/EEA/Swiss family members need no visa, while third-country family members need a residence permit for family reunification. Same-sex civil partnerships are included, per the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Spouses of EU citizens living in Germany are covered by simplified rules that are not detailed here.

How it works

Make it in Germany states that applications are made at a German mission abroad, and that the documents and steps depend on your personal situation. The responsible foreigners authority can give information on the specific procedure. For a German spouse, an embassy page describes a 90-day entry visa, after which the foreigners authority in Germany grants the final residence permit.

This platform does not submit applications.

Main requirements

Joining a third-country national (BAMF)

• The sponsor holds a valid residence title; adequate accommodation and a secure livelihood are necessary.
• Spouses must both be at least 18 and generally be able to communicate in simple everyday German. BAMF notes that in some cases, such as joining a skilled worker, language skills can be acquired after arrival.
• Unmarried minor children can generally join their parents. Children under 16 have no further conditions. A child aged 16 or over arriving later needs C1 German or likely easy integration.

Skilled workers and highly qualified persons (BAMF)

• Spouses do not need to prove simple German before entry, and proof of sufficient living space is not required.
• Children over 16 have no further requirements, even if arrival is not connected to the parents' arrival.
• Parents or parents-in-law may come if the child's residence title was first issued on or after 1 March 2024, with their own secured livelihood and health and long-term care insurance.
• Relatives of EU Blue Card holders previously resident in another Member State need only proof of health insurance if the holder is granted an EU Blue Card in Germany immediately afterward.

Joining a German citizen

• The embassy pages state that applicants must show basic German at level A1, with certificates from an ALTE-standard exam. Exemptions listed include a sufficient level shown at application, illness or disability, highly qualified applicants with a suitable job contract, and spouses of holders of listed permits such as the Blue Card. Other cases are reviewed individually.

Costs and timing

None of the pages read publishes a family-reunification visa fee, so ask the responsible mission. For a German citizen's family, one embassy states processing takes up to 12 weeks after complete documents are submitted; this is that embassy's estimate, not a promise, and it may differ at other missions.

Preparing your file

• Work out which rule applies: joining a skilled worker or Blue Card holder, another third-country national, or a German citizen.
• Gather civil-status documents such as marriage and birth certificates, with legalisation or apostille as the mission requires.
• Check whether you need a German A1 certificate or qualify for an exemption, and use an ALTE-standard exam.
• Gather the sponsor's proof of residence title or ID, registration certificate, income and accommodation.
• Avoid buying a flight before the visa is granted, as the embassy advises.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the A1 rule applies to every case: skilled-worker families are treated differently.
• Relying on an exam outside the ALTE standard or a Make it in Germany summary alone: confirm with your mission.
• Missing the document legalisation step for foreign certificates.
• Treating the questionnaire on this platform as an application. It is not.