Family Reunification Visa
🇩🇪 Germany visas · Family
What it is
Join a spouse, registered partner, or minor child who holds a German residence permit or German citizenship. Leads to an independent residence permit after 3 years.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- 3-year temporary residence permit, renewable. Eligible for permanent settlement after 3 to 5 years.
- Processing time
- 6 months
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- Age
- 18 or over
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee
- EUR 75
Key requirements
- The family member in Germany must hold a permanent residence permit, EU Blue Card, or German citizenship
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate (legalised and translated)
- Basic German language skills at A1 level (for spouse reunification)
- Adequate living space and sufficient income in Germany
- Health insurance
Working on this visa
Full labour-market access: family members admitted for family reunification are allowed to work in Germany (no hour cap, any employment or self-employment).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.