Family Reunification in Germany: How It Works

Your spouse or your children still live in another country. You live in Germany. You want them here, but the rules feel confusing. This guide explains family reunification (Familiennachzug) step by step.

What Is Family Reunification?

Family reunification lets close family members join you in Germany. The German term is Familiennachzug. It usually applies to spouses, minor children, and sometimes parents.

The German constitution protects marriage and family. This protection stands in Article 6 of the Grundgesetz. The Grundgesetz is Germany's Basic Law. It is also the answer to a common naturalization test question: "What is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany called?" The answer is Grundgesetz.

Legal Basis

The rules for family reunification stand in the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act). Look at Sections 27 to 36 AufenthG.

• § 27 AufenthG: the general principle of family reunification.
• § 28 AufenthG: family members of German citizens.
• § 29 AufenthG: general requirements for family members of foreign nationals.
• § 30 AufenthG: reunification of spouses.
• § 32 AufenthG: reunification of children.
• § 36 AufenthG: parents and other relatives in hardship cases.

Who Can Apply?

Spouses and Registered Partners

Your spouse can apply under § 30 AufenthG. The marriage must be legally valid in Germany. Registered civil partnerships count too. The marriage usually must exist before the visa application, not only on paper for convenience.

Children

Unmarried children under 18 can join their parents under § 32 AufenthG. Both parents normally need a secure residence status in Germany. Older teenagers, close to 18, sometimes face extra questions about integration prospects.

Parents and Other Relatives

Parents of German citizens can sometimes join their adult child under § 28 AufenthG. Other relatives must prove a serious hardship case under § 36 AufenthG. This rule is strict. Not every request is approved. A hardship case usually means the relative cannot care for themselves alone abroad.

What You Need to Show

Basic German Skills

Most spouses need basic German language skills before they receive the visa. This usually means level A1. You prove this with a certificate from an approved language school or the Goethe-Institut. Some exceptions exist, for example for highly qualified workers or citizens of certain countries.

Secure Income and Enough Living Space

The family in Germany must show enough income to support new family members. The home must also have enough living space for everyone. The local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority) checks both points. Example: A family of three usually cannot live in a very small studio apartment and expect approval.

How the Application Works

Step 1: Visa at the German Embassy

Your family member applies for a national visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country. Processing can take several months. Book the appointment early, because waiting lists are often long.

Step 2: Required Documents

Typical documents include a valid passport, marriage or birth certificate, language certificate, and proof of income and housing. Each embassy lists its exact requirements online. Translations into German are often required too.

Step 3: Residence Permit in Germany

After entry, your family member registers at the local registration office (Bürgeramt). They then apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde. This permit states the purpose of stay: family reunification. Keep copies of every document you submit.

How Long Does It Take, and What Does It Cost?

Processing times vary a lot between embassies and cases. Some visas take a few months. Others take longer if documents are missing. The visa fee is a set amount per adult applicant; children usually pay a lower fee. Ask the embassy website for the current amount, since fees can change.

Special Rules for Refugees

People with subsidiary protection status face stricter conditions under § 36a AufenthG, including a limited monthly quota. Recognized refugees under § 3 AsylG often have easier access to family reunification. If they apply soon after recognition, they may not need to prove income or housing space, according to § 29 AufenthG.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without the required language certificate.
• Underestimating the waiting time at the embassy.
• Sending an incomplete document file.
• Not asking about hardship exceptions when income is low.
• Forgetting to keep a copy of every submitted document.

Practical Life in Germany

Family reunification is not only about paperwork. It is also about everyday life. Imagine you buy a TV in Germany. At home, you unpack it, but it does not work. What can you do? You have the right to complain about the broken product — den Fernseher reklamieren. This is also a question from the naturalization test. Knowing your rights as a consumer matters, just like knowing your rights as a family.

Ready for the Test?

Family reunification touches constitutional rights and everyday situations — exactly what the naturalization test covers. Ready for the test? Practice all 460 questions with explanations in your language. Start the test trainer or check the pricing options.

This article is information, not legal advice.