Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
Who Can Sponsor You
Your family member in Germany must hold one of these statuses:
- German citizenship
- Valid temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for employment, study, or humanitarian purposes
- Permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
- EU Blue Card or other EU long-term residence permit
Important exclusion: If your sponsor holds a temporary stay permit for deportation suspension, a residence title for victims of trafficking, or an "opportunity-based residence right" (Chancenaufenthaltsrecht), you cannot apply. Additionally, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are currently subject to a two-year suspension (24 July 2025 to 23 July 2027), with a maximum of 1,000 visas per month.
Spouse Requirements
Basic eligibility:
- Both spouses must be at least 18 years old
- Your marriage must be legally recognized under German law—if you married abroad, you must obtain official confirmation that the marriage is valid in Germany
- Same-sex registered civil partnerships are fully recognized
- Unmarried partners do not qualify
Language requirement: You must prove basic German language skills at A1 level unless you are:
- Married to a German citizen
- Married to an EU citizen with freedom of movement rights
- Married to an EU Blue Card holder
- Married to a skilled worker whose permit was issued after 1 March 2024
The A1 certificate must come from the Goethe-Institut or an ALTE-accredited institution. Obtaining this certification typically takes 2–4 months.
Child Requirements
Age and timing:
- Children under 16 can join their parents without additional conditions
- Children aged 16–18 can join if they arrive together with their parents or within six months of the parents' relocation to Germany
- Children over 16 joining later must demonstrate C1-level German language proficiency or evidence of integration (such as attendance at German-speaking schools, residence in EU/EEA states, or growth in privileged third countries)
Other conditions:
- Children must be unmarried and under 18 (with limited exceptions for those arriving with parents up to age 18)
- Stepchildren can be included if they are minors, unmarried, and the sponsoring parent or their spouse has custody
- At least one parent with custodial rights must be in Germany; if only one parent is in Germany, written consent from the other parent is typically required
Sponsor's Financial and Housing Requirements
Income: Your sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income to support all family members without reliance on public assistance. Typical minimum net income is €1,500–2,000 per month for a couple, with additional amounts for each child. In 2024, minimum income for a single person was approximately €1,480 net; for two people, €1,620 net.
Proof required: employment contract, recent payslips (typically last 3–6 months), tax documents, and bank statements.
Exemption: Sponsors with an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permits issued after 1 March 2024 are exempt from proving livelihood and living space requirements.
Housing: Adequate accommodation must be available. A common guideline is at least 12 m² per person over 6 years old; 6 m² for children under 6. Proof required: rental agreement or property deed.
Exemption: Sponsors with an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permits issued after 1 March 2024 are exempt from proving living space.
Health insurance: Your sponsor must have valid health insurance coverage. You must obtain travel health insurance valid in Germany before entry.
Conditions & Warnings
Subsidiary protection beneficiaries: family reunification suspended for two years from 24 July 2025 to 23 July 2027, with a maximum of 1,000 visas per month. Narrow exceptions apply only in cases of exceptional hardship.
Spouses of non-EU sponsors must obtain A1 German language certification before applying; allow 2–4 months for preparation and testing. Only Goethe-Institut and ALTE-accredited providers are accepted.
Children aged 16–18 joining after parents' relocation must demonstrate C1-level German language proficiency or evidence of integration (e.g., school attendance, EU/EEA residency). Missing the six-month window after parents' move triggers these additional requirements.
Marriages suspected of being 'marriages of convenience' face heightened scrutiny. Provide evidence of shared life: joint property, shared residence history, photos, emails, and correspondence.
Processing times vary significantly by location and season. High-volume missions (Istanbul, Bangalore) report waiting times exceeding 20 weeks. Appointment availability can add months to the total timeline.
Visa-free citizens (Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, USA) can enter without a visa but must apply for a residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde within 90 days of arrival; processing takes 6–12 weeks.
Residence permits must be renewed before expiry; they are typically valid for 1–3 years. Apply for renewal at least 4–6 weeks before expiry to allow processing time.
Qualifications
A1 German language certificate required for spouses of non-EU sponsors; exemptions apply for spouses of German citizens, EU citizens, EU Blue Card holders, and skilled workers with permits issued after 1 March 2024. Certificate must be from Goethe-Institut or ALTE-accredited institution.
Fees
€75 for adults, €37.50 for minors. Visa fees waived for spouses and minor children of German citizens, EU/EEA nationals, and children under 6. Additional residence permit fee of €100–135 required after arrival in Germany.