Residence permit for spouses and registered partners
family reunification
Germany allows the spouse or registered partner of a German citizen, or of a foreign national with a qualifying residence title, to join them. Spouses abroad usually apply for a national visa at a German mission and then receive a residence permit from the local foreigners authority in Germany. The general rules are that both spouses are at least 18, the spouse shows basic German, and (for foreign sponsors) the family's livelihood and adequate housing are secured; several groups are exempt.
Life in Germany
Money
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 Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals married to, or in a registered partnership with, a German citizen or a foreign national living in Germany with a settlement permit, EU long-term residence permit, residence permit, EU Blue Card or ICT card.
Eligibility
Sponsor's residence title
For a foreign sponsor: a valid settlement permit, EU long-term residence permit, residence permit, EU Blue Card, ICT card or mobile ICT card. Reunification is excluded for some titles, for example subsidiary protection (Section 25(2) sentence 1, 2nd alternative) and several humanitarian and toleration-based permits.
Age
Both spouses must generally be at least 18.
Basic German
Generally German at CEFR level A1, usually shown before entry. Exemptions include spouses of EU Blue Card or ICT card holders, of skilled workers and highly qualified persons, and some nationalities; spouses of German citizens can be exempt if they could not reach A1 after a year of trying or no courses are available.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLivelihood and housing
- Document checklistNational visa application (from abroad)
- FeesResidence permit, first issue as electronic card (Berlin example)
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.
- 3 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- Verwaltungsportal Bund - Residence permit for family reunification with a spouse (foreign nationals)
- Verwaltungsportal Bund - Residence permit for the foreign spouse of a foreigner (Berlin)
- BAMF - Subsequent immigration to join third-country nationals
- BAMF - Subsequent immigration to join German nationals
Other routes to Germany
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyVisa and residence permit for study
- Work permitsEU Blue Card
- Asylum & protectionAsylum in Germany
- CitizenshipEinbürgerung
- Work permitsOpportunity Card
Family in other countries
- DenmarkFamily reunification with a spouse or cohabiting partner
- Dominican RepublicResidence visa for family reunification
- AlgeriaFamily visa for Algeria
- SpainTemporary residence authorisation for family reunification
- EthiopiaTemporary residence permit through marriage
- FinlandResidence permit for a spouse
