Family reunification with Germans

The right to family reunification with a German national exists solely for the purpose of establishing and maintaining family cohabitation and is therefore limited to the nuclear family.

Family reunification with spouses

If you are a German citizen, your partner in a marriage or registered partnership and your underage children from abroad may move to Germany to join you.

Other family members, such as adult children and grandparents, can only join you within the framework of family reunification if the further separation of the family would cause exceptional hardship.

Your family members will receive a residence permit for 3 years if they can prove that they have a basic knowledge of the German language.

In exceptional cases, you may be required to be able to support your family. The German training and labor market is open to your family members.

Family immigration for children

As parents of underage German children, you are entitled to live with your unmarried children - regardless of whether you are able to support yourself. Family immigration can also be granted if a child who is already of age is in education.

An entitlement arises from the actual care and upbringing of the child. It is not sufficient to simply move in to exercise the right of access.