Bring Family to Germany

When you apply for a Family Reunion Visa or a Spouse Visa, you must prove that your family relationship is genuine and legally recognized.

German authorities won’t approve the application without clear documentation.

You need official civil records.

Informal statements or private agreements are not enough.

Prepare the following core documents:

• Valid passports for you and your family member
• Marriage certificate for a spouse
• Birth certificate for a child
• Any other civil status documents that apply to your situation

All documents must clearly show names and family connections.

The information must match the details in the visa application.

If you apply from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office handles the visa application.

After arrival in Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde reviews residence permit matters.

Sometimes, authorities may cross-check information with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF), especially if your status in Germany affects eligibility.

You must also show that you can support your family member.

Financial evidence typically includes:

• Recent pay slips
• Tax statements
• Proof of income relevant to your employment

Housing evidence is also required.

Provide documentation that shows you have adequate living space, such as rental proof.

Health insurance coverage is essential.

If you can’t prove valid coverage for your family member, the application can be refused.

The checklist below summarizes what you should gather before submitting your application:

Certain nationals — including citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and several others — may enter the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Even if this applies to your family member, you must still provide full relationship documentation when applying for a residence permit.

Submit complete and consistent records.

Missing or conflicting documents can delay or jeopardize your Family Reunion Visa or Spouse Visa application.

You must apply for a Family Reunion Visa before your spouse or child can join you in Germany, unless they qualify for visa-free entry.

This process applies to both a Spouse Visa and reunification with minor children.

Start by preparing your documents carefully.

Missing paperwork delays the decision.

Step-by-Step Process

Confirm eligibility.

Your child must be under 18 and not married, divorced, or widowed. You must hold valid marriage or registered partnership documents if you apply for a Spouse Visa.

Gather required documents.

Prepare:

A valid passport for each applicant. Marriage or registered partnership certificates (for a Spouse Visa). Birth certificates and proof of age for children

Collect these before starting the online or embassy process.

Submit the visa application.

Apply through the Consular Services Portal or file the application at the German embassy responsible for your family member’s place of residence. The Federal Foreign Office manages visa processing abroad.

Attend the embassy appointment.

Your family member must appear in person if required by the embassy. Bring all original documents and copies as instructed.

Wait for the decision.

The embassy reviews the application and coordinates with the relevant authorities in Germany. For information about processing standards, consult the Federal Foreign Office.

If your spouse or child is a citizen of the United States, they may enter Germany without a visa for family reunification.

Once your family arrives in Germany, they must address residence matters locally.

The local Ausländerbehörde handles residence permits inside Germany.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees migration matters at the federal level, including asylum.

It does not process visa applications abroad.

Prepare complete documentation from the start.

Incomplete files create delays and additional appointments.

Visa processing for family reunification takes time.

A Family Reunion Visa or Spouse Visa application is often processed within 15 days, but bring‑family cases under a Schengen or National Visa can take 15 to 60 days.

processing times vary by category and location, so confirm current timelines with the issuing authority.

Use this period to prepare documents your family will need after arrival.

Act early so you do not lose more time later.

Focus first on language requirements.

Your spouse may need a language certificate from a standardized test that meets the standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

Book the exam in advance and keep the original certificate ready.

Review your financial and tax situation in Germany.

You must pay tax on your worldwide income if you have a residence in Germany or stay more than 183 days in a calendar year.

If you work as an employee, check your monthly payslip.

It shows how much wage tax your employer withholds.

You must also submit your annual tax return by 31 July of the following calendar year.

Mark this deadline now, especially if your household income will change once your family arrives.

Keep these financial points in mind:

• You pay tax on total income earned inside and outside Germany.
• A basic personal allowance applies, meaning part of your income is not taxed.
• If you have private health insurance or other private coverage, you pay the contributions yourself.

Organize your records while you wait.

Create a simple file with:

• Employment contract and recent payslips
• Proof of insurance
• Tax documents
• Copies of the visa application confirmation

Stay informed through official authorities.

The Federal Foreign Office manages visa applications abroad, while your local Ausländerbehörde handles residence permits inside Germany.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees asylum matters, but it also provides general information about migration procedures.

Check your contact details in the visa application system.

Respond quickly if the consulate requests additional documents.

Use the waiting period to plan practical matters such as housing space, insurance coverage, and budgeting for two households.

Careful preparation now reduces delays after the visa is approved.

After you enter Germany on a Family Reunion Visa or Spouse Visa, you must keep your residence status valid at all times.

Do not let your visa expire before you apply for a residence permit at your local Ausländerbehörde.

Failing to apply in time can interrupt your legal stay.

If you are the spouse of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen exercising free movement rights in Germany, you benefit from simplified entry.

You only need a valid identity document to join your family member, provided the marriage or civil partnership is legally recognized and properly registered.

Your civil partnership must appear in official records and create legal rights and obligations.

Informal relationships do not qualify.

Registration and Legal Obligations

Once you live in Germany, you become subject to German law in everyday matters.

As a rule, anyone who lives and works in Germany must pay income tax on wages, pensions, rental income, or other earnings.

Your employer withholds income tax directly from your salary.

You and your employer also contribute to the statutory social security system.

This includes:

• Unemployment insurance
• Health insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Pension insurance
• Accident insurance

These contributions form part of your long-term residence stability.

Role of Authorities

Different authorities handle different stages of your stay:

• The Federal Foreign Office processes visa applications abroad.
• The local Ausländerbehörde issues residence permits inside Germany.
• The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees broader migration matters and publishes official guidance.

Follow instructions from the correct authority at each step.

If you need clarification on procedures or documentation, consult official guidance from BAMF.

Practical Steps to Stay on Track

Enter Germany with the correct visa.

Use the Family Reunion Visa or Spouse Visa issued by the German mission abroad, if required.

Register your residence locally.

Complete local registration after moving into your accommodation.

Apply for your residence permit before your visa expires.

Book your appointment early to avoid gaps in status.

Comply with tax and social security rules.

Ensure your employment is properly registered and contributions are paid.

Maintaining lawful residence, meeting tax obligations, and keeping your documentation current form the foundation for long-term stability in Germany.

If you hold a valid residence permit in Germany, your children under 18 have the right to receive a temporary or permanent residence permit as well. This applies when you bring them through a Family Reunion Visa process.

Once they enter Germany, the local Ausländerbehörde issues their residence permit. The Federal Foreign Office manages the visa application abroad.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees broader migration matters. Children who are already 18 years old do not qualify under the same rules.

They must apply for their own separate residence title.

Who Qualifies

You can apply for your minor child if:

• Your child is under 18 years of age
• You hold a valid German residence permit
• You apply through the proper family reunification channel

If you originally entered Germany on a Spouse Visa and later want your child to join you, you still use the family reunification framework. Your child’s eligibility depends on your valid residence status.

Application Process

You should follow these steps in order:

Apply for a Family Reunion Visa at the Federal Foreign Office abroad.

Your child submits the visa application before traveling to Germany.

Enter Germany after visa approval.

Your child can travel once the visa is issued.

Register and apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde.

The local authority grants the temporary or permanent residence permit based on your status.

Each step builds on the previous one. Do not skip the residence permit application after arrival.

Financial Considerations

You must understand how your income affects your household. Income tax in Germany is automatically deducted from your wages.

Your employer transfers the wage tax directly to the responsible Tax Office. The amount of income tax depends on your total annual income, minus certain tax‑free amounts.

When planning to bring your child, review your net income carefully so you understand your actual take‑home pay.

Practical Points

Keep these factors in mind:

• A child under 18 links their status to your residence permit.
• An adult child must qualify independently.
• Your financial situation affects your household stability.

You deal primarily with the Federal Foreign Office abroad and the local Ausländerbehörde in Germany. BAMF remains the central federal migration authority but does not issue local residence permits.