Family Reunification in Germany
Whether spouse, child or parent — those wishing to join family in Germany need the correct residence title and the correct documentation. We assess which constellation applies, which requirements govern and how the procedure must be prepared.
Contents
Who may join — the framework of §§ 27–36 AufenthG
The Residence Act does not regulate family reunification as a single uniform entitlement but by reference to the sponsor’s nationality and residence status and to whether the joining family member is a spouse, child, parent or another relative. There is no single uniform entitlement to family reunification. Several provisions create a statutory right where their respective conditions are met, while other routes remain discretionary.
What matters is not only the family relationship: decisive is what residence status exists in Germany, which documents prove the family relationship and whether subsistence, accommodation or language skills are relevant in the specific case.
Spouse reunification — §§ 28 and 30 AufenthG
Spouse reunification is the most common constellation. Two provisions are central: § 28 AufenthG governs reunification with German nationals; § 30 AufenthG governs reunification with foreign nationals holding a residence title.
For spouses joining a German national under § 28 AufenthG, the subsistence requirement is treated more favourably than in ordinary reunification with a third-country national. The A1 requirement generally remains relevant, subject to the statutory exceptions and individual hardship considerations incorporated through § 30 AufenthG. Whether an exception applies — for instance on grounds of impossibility, unreasonableness, a connection to free-movement law or other special circumstances — must be assessed individually.
For reunification with a third-country national under § 30 AufenthG, the joining spouse must generally demonstrate basic German-language skills. Statutory exemptions from the pre-entry language requirement apply, among other cases, where the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card, an ICT or Mobile ICT Card, or certain residence titles for skilled employment, research, specified managerial activities or self-employment. The precise exception depends on the sponsor’s title and the individual circumstances. Where proof of basic German is required, it should be prepared in good time before the visa application. The accepted form of evidence and any applicable exemption should be checked for the individual case.
Child reunification — age thresholds and exceptions (§ 32 AufenthG)
Minor unmarried children may join their parents or a sole-custody parent under § 32 AufenthG where the statutory requirements are met. The age threshold is decisive.
Children under 16 are not generally subject to a language requirement. Children who have already reached the age of 16 are subject to additional requirements only in the circumstances defined by § 32(2) — particularly where they do not relocate to Germany together with their parents or the sole custodial parent. In that case, the child must generally have a command of German or demonstrate that successful integration can be expected on the basis of their previous education and circumstances. These additional § 32(2) requirements do not apply in all cases: statutory exemptions exist in particular for children joining parents with certain protection, skilled-worker, research or other qualifying residence statuses.
Once a child is 18, the ordinary child-reunification route under § 32 no longer applies. A separate residence title for study, vocational training or employment may be available; in exceptional circumstances, § 36(2) may also require consideration.
Parent reunification — when it is possible
Parent reunification requires precise differentiation — the case groups are distinct and are frequently confused.
A foreign parent of a minor unmarried German child may qualify under § 28 AufenthG, in particular where the parent exercises custody and the German child has their habitual residence in Germany. The position of a parent without custody requires separate assessment.
§ 36(1) AufenthG provides a specific route for the parents of certain minor protected persons where no parent with custody is already resident in Germany. The exact protection status and family situation must be verified.
Other adult relatives may be admitted under § 36(2) only where this is necessary to avoid exceptional hardship. This is a discretionary and narrowly applied route; ordinary emotional, financial or practical difficulties are not necessarily sufficient.
Since March 2024, § 36(3) has provided a special discretionary route for the parents of holders of certain skilled-employment, research, management, Blue Card, ICT and self-employment residence titles. The qualifying residence title must generally have been granted to the sponsor for the first time on or after 1 March 2024. Parents-in-law may qualify only where the sponsor’s spouse is permanently resident in Germany. Secure subsistence — including adequate health-insurance coverage — and the other applicable residence requirements must be met. Under the law currently in force, § 36(3) is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2028. Residence permits already issued are not automatically invalidated by the expiry of the provision.
Subsistence, accommodation, language
Secure subsistence is required in many reunification cases, but the requirement is subject to statutory exemptions and facilitations. The assessment follows the statutory definition and does not treat every public benefit in the same way. Adequate accommodation is required in many reunification cases, though it is not a uniform requirement in every constellation. In particular, statutory facilitations under § 29(5) AufenthG apply to spouses and minor children joining holders of certain skilled-worker and comparable residence titles; under the law currently in force, this facilitation is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2028.
Where proof of basic German is required, it should be prepared in good time before the visa procedure, as it is regularly required at that stage. The accepted form of evidence and any applicable exemption should be checked for the individual case.
The procedure — visa, diplomatic mission, immigration authority
For family members who require a visa, the procedure generally begins with a national visa application at the competent German diplomatic mission. After entry with the appropriate national visa, the family member must normally apply for the corresponding residence permit before the visa expires. Certain nationalities and persons already lawfully resident in Germany may be subject to different procedural rules.
Those planning reunification should prepare documents, appointments and supporting evidence early — where legally and practically possible, in parallel with the sponsor’s own proceedings.
Common difficulties include incomplete civil-status records, insufficient proof of custody or family relationship, unaccepted translations and gaps in the evidence relating to subsistence or accommodation. A legal review of the documentation before filing is therefore advisable, not only after a refusal.
For persons holding subsidiary protection, family reunification under § 36a AufenthG is not granted from 24 July 2025 until the end of 23 July 2027 under § 104(14) AufenthG. §§ 22 and 23 AufenthG remain unaffected, so admission may still require consideration in exceptional humanitarian cases.
How we advise
We first assess the residence law position of the sponsor in Germany — because from their status depends which reunification rights exist at all. We then clarify which conditions apply to the joining family members, what is already available and what must still be prepared. Only then do we initiate the procedure.
We advise on the principal family reunification constellations, in particular spouse reunification, child reunification, parent reunification and special status questions. In German and English. Advice in Russian may be available by prior arrangement.
Advice is provided by Alexander Kagan, admitted as a German Rechtsanwalt and a member of the Hanseatic Bar Association Hamburg (Hanseatische Rechtsanwaltskammer Hamburg). More about Alexander Kagan →
The content of this page is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently asked questions on family reunification in Germany
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Family reunification primarily covers spouses and minor unmarried children. Parent reunification is available only in defined constellations, including certain parents of minor German or protected children, exceptional-hardship cases under § 36(2), and the discretionary route under § 36(3) for parents of holders of specified residence titles first granted on or after 1 March 2024. Whether a reunification right exists always depends on the sponsor’s status.
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Basic German at level A1 is generally required for many spouse-reunification applications, including in principle reunification with a German national. Numerous statutory exceptions apply, including for spouses joining holders of certain skilled-worker, Blue Card, ICT, research, management or self-employment titles. Whether proof is required must be assessed from the sponsor’s exact residence status and the individual circumstances.
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Children under 16 are not generally subject to a language requirement. For a child who has already reached 16, additional language or integration requirements arise only in the circumstances defined by § 32(2) — particularly where the child does not relocate together with the parents or sole custodial parent. In that case, a command of German or a positive integration prognosis is generally required, subject to statutory exemptions. From age 18, the ordinary child-reunification route under § 32 is no longer available.
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Parents may join adult children only under specific provisions. § 36(2) permits reunification in exceptional-hardship cases. § 36(3) provides a discretionary route for parents — and under additional conditions parents-in-law — of holders of certain qualifying residence titles first granted on or after 1 March 2024. Secure subsistence, including health-insurance coverage, must be demonstrated. The provision is currently scheduled to expire on 31 December 2028.
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Processing times vary considerably depending on the diplomatic mission, appointment availability, document verification and the involvement of the German immigration authority. Proceedings may take several months or longer. Preparations should therefore begin early, but no fixed processing period can be guaranteed.
Family reunification consultation
Are you planning the reunification of a spouse, child or parent in Germany? We assess which constellation applies, which requirements govern and how the procedure must be prepared.
Please briefly describe your matter. Helpful information includes the sponsor’s residence status, the family relationship, the country of origin and any applicable deadlines.
