Family Reunification Visa: Requirements and Tips

Do you live in Germany and are planning to bring family members to join you? First, check if you are eligible for family reunification and meet the requirements. If so, you will need a visa for family reunification and appropriate health insurance. In addition to the various types of visas for Germany, this visa is only possible under very specific conditions. We explain everything you need to know about family reunification and the visa process below.

Table of Contents:

• What is family reunification? 
• What is a family reunification visa? 
• Who can apply for family reunification? 
• Family reunification to Germany for refugees? 
• Family reunification requirements? 
• How does family reunification work? 
• Where do I apply for a family reunification visa? 
• What documents are needed for family reunification? 
• Family reunification visa: How long is the processing time? 
• How much does a family reunification visa cost? 
• Why was my family reunification visa denied? 
• Family reunification visa: How can AXA help? 

What is family reunification?

If you live in Germany long-term and want your family to join you, this is called family reunification or family migration. Bringing family members to join someone already in the destination country serves to protect the family and is enshrined in the Basic Law as follows: “The residence permit for establishing and maintaining the family unit in the Federal Republic for foreign family members (family migration) is granted and extended to protect marriage and family in accordance with Article 6 of the Basic Law.” (§ 27 AufenthG)

Interesting: In 2021, around 9,900 family reunification visas were issued to refugees, and 5,960 to those with subsidiary protection.

What is a family reunification visa?

When third-country nationals want to visit family members in Germany, a Schengen visa type C is usually sufficient. However, with this visa, they can only stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. If visa-required nationals wish to live in Germany long-term to be with family members, other types of visas for Germany apply. In this case, you need a national visa type D for the purpose of family reunification. To obtain this visa, you must meet specific requirements and provide documents, including an incoming travel insurance for the entire Schengen area. Further requirements for a family reunification visa can be found later in the article.

Who can apply for family reunification?

If you wish to have your family with you in Germany soon, you can apply for a family reunification visa. Eligible applicants include:

1. European Union citizens who permanently reside in Germany, or

2. Foreign nationals with a residence permit, an EU long-term residence permit, or permanent residence permit in Germany, who have sufficient living space and can financially support all family members.

Who is eligible to join?

• the immediate family, such as spouses and minor children

• foreign minors under 18 may bring parents for parental care (§ 28 AufenthG)

• unmarried partners may, according to § 27 para. 2 AufenthG, also make use of family reunification if they meet the necessary requirements (e.g., in cases of pregnancy)

• other family members (siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents) may join only under certain conditions and in very limited exceptional cases

Family reunification for pregnancy: Married and unmarried partners can also join the unborn child. In this case, additional documentation is required.

Family reunification to Germany for refugees?

Recognized asylum seekers and refugees benefit from privileged family reunification: This includes spousal reunification (§ 30 AufenthG) and children reunification (§ 32 AufenthG). Generally, spouses, minor children, and parents of minors can apply for family reunification. However, there is no provision for sibling reunification, and family reunification is excluded if a marriage occurs during flight.

Refugees with subsidiary protection are also eligible for family reunification with immediate family members in Germany. Subsidiary protection applies when individuals face threats or serious harm in their home country. For those with subsidiary protection, the family reunification quota is limited to 1,000 individuals per month as determined by the BAMF.

Subsidiary protection status does not automatically grant family reunification rights. The relevant immigration authorities decide on residence permits based on humanitarian grounds, such as separation duration, age of children, severity of illness, or threats in the home country.

Family Reunification Requirements: What conditions must be met?

For family reunification to a German or EU citizen with freedom of movement rights (e.g., as an employee or self-employed person), spouses and children are entitled to live and work in Germany. They do not need a family reunification visa or residence permit—even if they are not EU citizens. This differs when a visa-required foreign national wishes to bring their family to Germany.

Application for Family Reunification for Visa-Required Third-Country Nationals

If you are a visa-required third-country national planning family reunification in Germany, you must meet certain requirements.

In general:

• You must have held a secured residency status for at least 2 years

• Adequate housing is available

• You can cover your own and your relatives' secured living expenses

For spousal reunification:

• foreign spouses must have basic knowledge (A1) of the German language

• there should be no grounds for expulsion for the spouse

• both spouses must be at least 18 years old

For incoming children:

• Children up to 16 years receive a residence permit for child reunification with the parent living in Germany (§32 AufenthG)

• the child must not be married, divorced, or widowed

• special requirements apply for children over 16 years*

• Unmarried children who have reached the age of 18 must apply for their own residence title

*Children over 16 years are only eligible for a residence permit if:

• they move to Germany with both parents or the sole custodial parent

• they are proficient in the German language (C1) or

• for other reasons, such as having completed training in Germany

Note: As a single parent, you may also apply for a family reunification visa for your child, but you will need the consent of the second custodial parent.

How much must you earn for family reunification?

During the family reunification visa process, the competent immigration office conducts an individual assessment of needs. The livelihood is considered sufficiently secured if the sponsor can meet their own and the family member's living expenses without public assistance (excluding, among others: child, parental & education allowances).

How does family reunification work?

If you wish to bring your children or spouse to Germany, there are several steps to follow. Family members need a family reunification visa to enter Germany. For continued residence, a residence permit is required.

Here’s an overview of the steps:

• 1. Family reunification visa process at the German embassy or consulate

• 2. Forwarding your application to the responsible immigration office in Germany

• 3. Appointment for a personal interview at the competent immigration office for the partner residing in Germany

• 4. Pre-approval by the immigration office to the German embassy or consulate

• 5. The German embassy or consulate decides on the family reunification visa

• 6. After entry: Residence registration at the local registration office within one week

• 7. Application for a residence permit at the immigration office

• 8. After arrival, a health insurance in line with immigration office requirements should be obtained.

Where to apply for a family reunification visa?

If your family members need a national visa Type D for family reunification, they should apply at the relevant German embassy or consulate. The German Foreign Office provides a list of all German embassies and consulates. The application form for family reunification is also available on the Foreign Office's website in PDF format for download.

Which documents are required for family reunification?

The required documents for the application for family reunification may vary by country. Specific requirements for family reunification also depend on whether a spouse and/or children are joining, and on personal circumstances. Our checklists can serve as guidance for the family reunification application.

1. Checklist: Documents for a Family Reunification Visa

• Family reunification visa application

• valid passport

• recent passport photos

• ID card (spouse’s copy)

• marriage certificate or proof of same-sex partnership

• proof of German language proficiency (A1)

Note: Family reunification without A1 language skills is possible in exceptional cases, according to the German government, such as for holders of an EU Blue Card, highly qualified persons, or nationals from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, or the United States.

If children are joining:

• birth certificate of the child

• proof of sole custody if the child is moving to only one custodial parent

Note: Application forms are available at the relevant embassies and often on their websites. This list may not be exhaustive. Contact your German embassy to confirm the required documents in individual cases!

2. Checklist: Documents for the Responsible Immigration Office in Germany

Documents for the person residing in Germany:

• ID card, passport, or foreign national passport

• employer’s certificate

• proof of income to secure living expenses

• certificate of accommodation and lease or purchase agreement stating the square footage (sufficient living space required)

• proof of existing health insurance upon entry for the family member joining

• residence certificate (available from the local registration office)

• Self-employed and freelancers:
  • business registration or a written description of the activity
  • tax office certificate (tax information)
  • recent tax assessment from the tax office
  • certificate from the tax advisor showing the average monthly net income
  • proof of health insurance

Family Reunion Visa: How long is the processing time?

The issuance of a family reunion visa can take up to three months. If the application is approved, a visa for entry into Germany with a validity of three months can be issued. Depending on whether you are applying for a short-term visa or a long-term visa, you should expect different processing times.

What is the cost of a family reunion visa?

The processing fee for a national visa is generally €75, and for minor applicants, it is €37.50. The application for a family reunion visa to a German citizen or an EU citizen is free of charge.

Why was my family reunion visa denied?

You are entitled to family reunification and have applied, but have received a rejection notice? A family reunion visa can be denied for various reasons:

• there is suspicion of a sham marriage

• the spouse's income is insufficient

• insufficient German language skills of the applicant

• entry ban regarding the applicant

If you disagree with the decision, you have the opportunity within a one-month period to file a complaint with the responsible foreign representation and request a re-examination. This procedure is called remonstration. If you have further questions or uncertainties, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) may also be able to assist.

Family Reunion Visa: How can AXA help?

To apply for a family reunion, a suitable health insurance certificate for the visa-requiring non-EU citizen must be submitted. Such an incoming insurance must meet certain requirements:

• a coverage amount of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies

• validity for the entire Schengen area (optionally the entire EU)

• validity for the duration of the initially planned stay

• insurance for medical evacuation and death

The AXA Incoming Travel Insurance offers three different insurance options with no deductible that meet the requirements for family reunification. The Low-Cost Travel Insurance provides sufficient coverage starting at €22 per week. Extended coverage (such as covering treatment costs up to €100,000 and coverage for EU countries not in the Schengen area, such as the United Kingdom) is available with the Europe Travel Insurance.

You may also be interested in these articles:

• How do I apply for a tourist visa for Germany?
• What do you need for a visitor visa to Germany?
• How do I apply for a student visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a marriage visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a work visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a visa for training in Germany?
• How do I apply for a visa for a language course in Germany?
• Schengen Visa Germany: everything you need to know at a glance
• Business Visa for Germany: How to apply for your business visa

What do you need for family reunification?

To apply for family reunification to Germany, you first need a valid family reunion visa. Additionally, further documents such as a marriage certificate, valid identification, proof of German language skills at level A1, secured income, and sufficient living space are required.

Who is entitled to family reunification?

If you are a citizen of an EU country and reside permanently in Germany, or if you hold a residence or settlement permit as a foreigner in Germany, you may apply for family reunification and bring your family to Germany. Primarily, the closest family members are allowed to join, namely spouses and minor children.

Who decides on the family reunion visa?

After the competent foreign authority has given preliminary consent, the German foreign representation decides on the family reunion visa. The rule is: the more complete, correct, and sufficient the required documents (including income proof, housing certificate, incoming health insurance), the higher the chance of success.