Eligibility quiz
Are you married to the person in Germany, or are you in a state-recognised same-sex civil partnership with them?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Germany
You can live in Germany with your family for the period on your residence permit.
Study and learn German
You can attend school, do vocational training or study, though separate admission and professional qualification rules still apply.
If your stay is intended to be permanent, a qualifying permit obtained after 1 January 2005 generally gives you a right to an integration course.
Work in Germany
You can generally work in Germany; check your residence document or its supplementary sheet for the exact work permission.
Travel and return
With a valid permit and passport or recognised travel document, you can return to Germany.
You can normally visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if you meet the travel conditions.
Use public healthcare
If you are employed, you normally join the public social insurance system, including health insurance, with contributions taken from your wages.
Get social support
If you are employed, you normally pay into pension, accident and unemployment insurance through your wages.
If you need support, you may qualify for financial benefits, depending on your work, insurance, income, residence and household circumstances.
How to apply
From outside GermanyFrom outside Germany
Find your consulate
Find the German embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which German embassy or consulate handles Familiennachzug applications for people living in your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsFill in the application
Create an account in the Consular Services Portal, select family reunification and fill in the national visa application. Upload the requested documents.
Fill in the applicationSubmit your application
Submit your application through the portal to the consulate responsible for where you live. If the service is not available there, you can apply on paper through that consulate or its authorised visa centre.
Submit your applicationWait for the check
Wait for the portal's first check of your application and correct anything it asks you to.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit Germany's Familiennachzug visa application through the Consular Services Portal?”
Book an appointment
Book the appointment offered through the portal at the consulate or its authorised visa centre. Booking is free.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Go in person with the originals and copies requested, give your fingerprints and photograph, and sign where asked. Pay the visa fee at the appointment as instructed.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Germany Familiennachzug visa appointment and how do I pay the fee?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate's decision and provide any extra documents it asks for. The consulate may need agreement from the foreigners office responsible for your partner's address in Germany.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Germany Familiennachzug visa decision take?”
Travel to Germany
Once your visa is issued, travel to Germany to join your spouse or partner.
Plan your travelSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Germany with a Familiennachzug visa?”
Once in GermanyOnce in Germany
Register your address
Register your address at the residents' registration office where you live in Germany.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I register my address for Familiennachzug in your city, Germany?”
Find your foreigners office
Find the foreigners office responsible for your address in Germany.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which foreigners office handles Familiennachzug residence permits in your city, Germany?”
Apply for your permit
Apply to your foreigners office for a family reunification residence permit before your entry visa expires. Ask the office how to hand in your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Familiennachzug residence permit at the foreigners office in your city, Germany?”
Attend your permit appointment
If the foreigners office asks you to attend, go to your appointment, provide the evidence it requests and give your identity details and fingerprints. Pay the residence permit fee as instructed by the office; the permit is for living with your spouse or partner in Germany.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Familiennachzug residence permit appointment at the foreigners office in your city, Germany, and how do I pay?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's address record
Provide proof of your spouse or partner's address in Germany. Ask your consulate what record it accepts.
Partner's residence permit
Bring your spouse or partner's German residence permit. It must be the original or a certified copy.
Marriage or partnership certificate
Get your marriage certificate or your official registered-partnership certificate. Your consulate can tell you whether to bring the original and copies.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Documents and integration
Keep a valid passport or recognised travel document and follow the conditions on your residence permit.
If required, attend an integration course properly; some people are exempt, including people in school or certain education.
Failure can affect renewal, including one-year extensions or refusal where there is no separate right to an extension.
Residence permission can end
Your permission expires unless extended and can be shortened or refused renewal if key conditions no longer hold.
It can end after departure if you leave Germany for good or stay away past the permitted period, unless a longer absence was agreed in advance.
It can also be withdrawn for unmet requirements, a sham or forced marriage, or serious public-safety or immigration reasons, including expulsion.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Job seeker Visa/Blue card/Dependent visa/ Work Permit - Germany
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Join on FacebookFamily reunion visa for germany
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Request to joinFAMILY REUNION VISA FOR GERMANY- only authentic information
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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