Family reunification in Germany: process and documents

Who this guide is for

• People living in Germany who want a spouse, registered partner or minor child to join them.
• Family members abroad preparing a visa application at a German mission.
• Blue Card holders, skilled workers and students checking what their title allows.
• Families who already have a decision and want to understand the steps after arrival.

What you need

• Clarity about the sponsor's residence title in Germany, because it drives everything else.
• Proof of the family relationship — marriage, registered partnership or parenthood.
• Suitable accommodation for the family in many cases, and proof that the family can support itself.
• German language ability at basic level for spouses in many cases, with several exceptions.
• An appointment at the German mission responsible for the family member's place of residence.

Step-by-step process

1. 01

   Establish the sponsor's situation first

   Start from the person already in Germany. A German citizen, an EU citizen exercising free movement, a Blue Card holder, a skilled worker, a student and a person with protection status are all treated differently. The sponsor's title determines which rules apply, whether language proof is needed and how fast the case usually moves.

2. 02

   Identify which family relationship you are applying for

   Spouses and registered partners, minor children joining parents, and parents joining a minor child are separate categories with separate requirements. Adult children and other relatives only qualify in narrow hardship situations. Apply under the right category from the start — switching later costs months.

3. 03

   Check the language requirement and its exceptions

   Spouses joining a third-country national frequently have to show basic German. There are exceptions, including cases where the sponsor holds certain highly qualified titles, where the spouse has a recognised degree, or where learning the language is not reasonably possible. Do not assume the requirement applies to you, and do not assume it does not.

4. 04

   Collect and legalise the civil status documents

   Marriage and birth certificates issued abroad usually need translation and often legalisation or an apostille, and some countries require a full document verification procedure by the German mission. This is the slowest part of most cases, so begin here.

5. 05

   Book the visa appointment and file the application

   The family member applies at the German mission responsible for their place of residence, on the mission's own forms. Waiting times differ significantly between countries. If a child and a spouse are joining together, coordinate the applications so the family is not split by different processing speeds.

6. 06

   After arrival: register, then convert the visa

   Once in Germany, the family completes address registration (Anmeldung), arranges health insurance and applies at the local foreigners' authority for the residence permit after arrival that replaces the entry visa. Work permission, school enrolment and childcare follow from that permit.

Documents checklist

• Valid passports for every family member applying
• Completed mission-specific visa application forms
• Marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate, translated and legalised as required
• Birth certificates for children, translated and legalised as required
• Copy of the sponsor's residence permit or ID, and their registration confirmation
• Proof of accommodation: rental contract and flat size, where required
• Proof of income: payslips and employer confirmation, where required
• German language certificate for spouses, where required
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Consent of the other parent, where a child travels with one parent only

Common mistakes

• Building the document list before checking which rules apply to the sponsor's residence title.
• Assuming the language certificate is always required — or never required.
• Underestimating legalisation and document verification, which can take longer than the visa itself.
• Submitting translations that are not from a recognised translator.
• Applying at the wrong mission, rather than the one responsible for the family member's residence.
• Letting the sponsor's residence permit approach expiry during the family case instead of starting the renewal early.

What happens next

• Track the mission's processing status and keep every submission receipt.
• After arrival, register the family's address in the first weeks.
• Apply at the local foreigners' authority for the residence permit before the entry visa expires, and prepare the appointment documents in advance.
• Check what the issued permit says about employment before a spouse starts work.
• Enrol children in school or childcare — places are limited, so start early.

How Burokrat helps

Frequently asked questions

Does my spouse need German language skills to join me?

Often yes at a basic level, but there are real exceptions — including some highly qualified residence titles, recognised degrees and cases where learning the language is not reasonably possible. Check the official family reunification pages for your exact constellation.

How long does family reunification take?

It depends mainly on the German mission handling the case and on document verification in the country of application. Waiting times differ from weeks to many months, so start with civil status documents.

Can my spouse work after arriving in Germany?

In many cases yes, and for family joining EU Blue Card holders and skilled workers this is usually straightforward. The residence permit issued after arrival states what is allowed.

Can adult children or parents join me?

Only in narrow situations. Minor children joining parents and parents joining a minor child are the standard categories; other relatives require exceptional hardship.

Do we apply in Germany or abroad?

The family member normally applies for the entry visa at the German mission responsible for their place of residence, and the residence permit is issued in Germany afterwards.

Can Burokrat tell me exactly which documents my case needs?

Burokrat asks about your situation and shows a checklist with the source behind each item, plus reminders. The binding list comes from the mission and the foreigners' authority, and complex cases should be reviewed by a lawyer.

Official sources

• Make it in Germany — Family reunification (overview)
• Make it in Germany — Spouses joining non-EU citizens
• Make it in Germany — Children joining their parents

Related guides

Browse every guide in the bureaucracy guide hub, or go back to the Burokrat homepage.