Family reunification to refugees and subsidiary protection holders
suspended for subsidiary protection until 23 Jul 2027 · Official name: Familiennachzug zu Schutzberechtigten (§§ 29, 36a AufenthG)
People recognised in Germany as entitled to asylum or as refugees have a right to privileged family reunification for their spouse and minor children, if the application is made with the Federal Foreign Office within 3 months of the protection grant. For people with subsidiary protection, family reunification has been suspended since 24 Jul 2025 and until the end of 23 Jul 2027; only in individual cases is it possible for reasons of international law or urgent humanitarian reasons (§ 22 AufenthG). Without an extension or other change in the law, the previous rules apply again automatically after that date.
Life in Germany
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
81
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#16 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Spouses and minor unmarried children of recognised refugees and people entitled to asylum in Germany, and parents of recognised refugee minors. For subsidiary protection holders, only hardship cases while the suspension lasts.
Eligibility
Refugees and people entitled to asylum: privileged reunificationRecognised refugees
Sign in to check this route against your profileApply to the Federal Foreign Office within 3 months of being granted protection to bring your spouse and children.
3 months
Application deadline
- Covers spouses and children
- Applies to people granted asylum or refugee status
Official wording
People granted asylum or refugee status have a right to privileged family reunification covering spouses and children. The application must be made with the Federal Foreign Office within 3 months of the protection grant.
Subsidiary protection: suspended until 23 Jul 2027Subsidiary protection holders
Sign in to check this route against your profileFamily reunification for people with subsidiary protection is suspended until the end of 23 Jul 2027.
Suspended until the end of 23 Jul 2027- The law entered into force on 24 Jul 2025
- Earlier quota under § 36a AufenthG was up to 1,000 visas a month
- That quota has been fully used since June 2023
Official wording
BAMF: family reunification to people with subsidiary protection status is suspended until the end of 23 Jul 2027. The law entered into force on 24 Jul 2025 (Federal Foreign Office). Before that, § 36a AufenthG allowed up to 1,000 visas a month, a quota fully used since June 2023.
Hardship casesSubsidiary protection holders
Sign in to check this route against your profileIn individual cases, reunification is possible for reasons of international law or urgent humanitarian reasons.
Email-only hardship notices from 26 Jul 2025- Legal basis: § 22 sentence 1 AufenthG; §§ 22 and 23 are unaffected
- IOM forwards them to the Federal Office of Administration and the mission
Official wording
In individual cases, family reunification is possible for reasons of international law or urgent humanitarian reasons (§ 22 sentence 1 AufenthG; §§ 22 and 23 are unaffected). Hardship notices go only by email to IOM (from 26 Jul 2025), which forwards them to the Federal Office of Administration and the mission.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Germany. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Germany
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
