Family reunification (Familiennachzug) lets the close family of someone living legally in Germany join them. The application is made by the family member at the German mission in their home country, and it succeeds or fails largely on documents, income, and housing — proving the relationship, that the sponsor can support the family, and that there is adequate accommodation. Document preparation, not the form itself, is where most time goes.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Rules vary by the sponsor''s status and by country; always confirm the current requirements with the German mission handling your application.
Who qualifies
The route is mainly for close family:
- Spouses and registered partners, where both partners are usually at least 18 and the marriage is legally recognised.
- Minor children joining a parent.
- Parents of a minor who lives in Germany, in defined circumstances.
Who can sponsor — and how strict the conditions are — depends on the sponsor's status: German citizens, EU citizens, recognised refugees, and holders of various residence permits (including the EU Blue Card and skilled-worker permits) face different requirements. Blue Card and some skilled-worker sponsors enjoy eased conditions, which is why checking the sponsor's exact status first is essential. The Federal Foreign Office family-reunification pages set out the categories in detail.
Requirements and documents
Typical requirements include:
- A valid passport and biometric photos for the applicant.
- Proof of the relationship — a marriage certificate or birth certificate, usually legalised or apostilled and accompanied by a certified German translation.
- The sponsor's residence permit or proof of citizenship.
- Proof of sufficient income to support the family without public funds.
- Adequate housing of sufficient size for the family, shown by a rental contract.
- Health insurance coverage — see the health insurance guide.
- Often basic German (A1) for spouses (see below).
Legalisation and certified translation of certificates can take weeks, so begin those before booking the appointment.
The A1 German requirement
Spouses joining a partner in Germany generally must show basic German at A1 level before the visa is granted, usually with a certificate from a recognised provider such as the Goethe-Institut or telc.
There are exceptions. The requirement is commonly waived when, for example, the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card or certain skilled-worker permits, when the applicant has a recognised higher-education degree and a qualified job, or where meeting it is unreasonable due to illness or disability. Check whether your case is exempt before enrolling in a course — but if in doubt, the A1 certificate rarely hurts an application.
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm the sponsor's status and which conditions apply to your case.
- Gather and legalise documents, arranging certified translations early.
- Meet the A1 requirement if it applies, and obtain the certificate.
- Book the visa appointment at the German mission for the applicant's country — waits can be long.
- Attend the appointment, submit documents, and pay the fee.
- Wait for processing, which often involves the German Ausländerbehörde checking the sponsor's income and housing; this can take several months.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating document timelines. Apostilles and certified translations are the slowest part — start them first.
- Missing the income or housing bar. Confirm the sponsor genuinely meets the support and accommodation thresholds before applying.
- Overlooking the A1 rule — or assuming it applies. Check both whether you need it and whether you are exempt.
- Inconsistent names and dates across passport, certificates, and forms, which routinely stalls cases.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a family reunion visa take?
It varies widely by country and sponsor status, but several months is common because the mission often consults the German immigration office about the sponsor's income and housing. Book the appointment and prepare documents as early as possible.
Does my spouse really need German before joining me?
Often yes, at A1 level — but several exemptions exist, including for spouses of Blue Card and certain skilled-worker holders. Confirm against your sponsor's specific status.
Can the family work in Germany once they arrive?
Family members who join a resident generally receive a residence permit that allows employment, but the exact conditions are set in the permit. Check the permit issued after arrival.
A family application runs on documents and deadlines that are easy to lose track of across people and countries. Build your free personalised German plan to track every certificate, translation, and appointment in one place so the reunion is not held up at the last step.