Granting a residence permit for family reunification with foreigners

Before entering Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country.

After entering Germany, you must apply for a residence permit in writing to the Foreigners' Registration Office before your visa expires.

Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the city administration or the district administration.

• You fulfill the passport and visa requirements.
• Your livelihood is secured without you drawing on public funds.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Your family member already living in Germany has a residence permit in Germany.
  • settlement permit,
  • permanent residence permit-EG or
  • residence permit and
  • sufficient living space available.
• additionally in the case of spouse reunification:
  • Minimum age of both spouses: 18 years
  • basic knowledge of German on the part of the person joining them
• if children between the ages of 16 and 18 are joining the spouse:
  • Entry as part of a family with the parents or
  • command of the German language or a positive integration prognosis (e.g. due to coming from a German-speaking family or attending a German-speaking school) or
  • Existence of a special case of hardship

• Proof of fulfillment of passport and visa requirements
• Proof of secure means of subsistence
• Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
• Proof that you do not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Proof of the residence permit of your family member already living in Germany
• Proof of sufficient living space
• Proof of family affiliation (e.g. birth and marriage certificates, proof of a registered civil partnership)
• In the case of spousal reunification additionally:
  • Proof of the minimum age of both spouses
  • Proof of basic German language skills of the person joining you
• if children between the ages of 16 and 18 are joining the family:
  • Proof of entry as part of a family with the parents or
  • Proof of German language skills or a positive integration prognosis or
  • Proof of particular hardship

• Valid for up to one year: 100 euros
• Valid for more than one year: 110 euros
• Extension up to three months: 65 euros
• Extension for more than three months: 80 euros

Processing can take several weeks.

• Residence Act(AufenthG)
• § Section 3 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU (FreizügG/EU) (family members of EU citizens)

Young foreign nationals who

• have grown up in Germany or
• have entered the country as part of child reunification,

• Family members of nationals of EU/EEA states who are themselves nationals of an EU or EEA state can enter the country freely and pursue gainful employment.
• Family members of nationals of EU/EEA states who do not themselves belong to an EU or EEA state also have a right of entry and residence

Since September 1, 2011, you will receive a residence permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under Electronic residence permit (eAT).