Family Reunification – Legal Support for Living Together in Germany

Family reunification allows you to bring your closest relatives to Germany and live together. For many people seeking protection or living here permanently, living with spouses and children is a fundamental matter.

However, the legal hurdles are high: deadlines, documents, certificates, language requirements – all these factors determine whether an application succeeds or fails. Common uncertainties arise: Who is entitled to join? What requirements apply? How does the procedure work?

As a lawyer for migration law, I support you in planning your family reunification legally secure, avoiding mistakes, and enforcing your rights.

Table of Contents

What is Family Reunification?

Family reunification means: A foreigner or refugee living in Germany applies for their closest relatives to enter and obtain a residence permit.

Purpose: Protection of the family, ensuring family life, and respecting private life under Article 6 of the German Constitution and Article 8 ECHR.

Legal Basis

The most important laws are:

  • Residence Act (AufenthG), §§ 27–36
  • Asylum Act
  • EU Family Reunification Directive
  • Geneva Refugee Convention
  • ECHR

Different rules apply depending on the status of the family member in Germany.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants are usually:

  • Spouses
  • Registered partners
  • Minor unmarried children
  • In some cases, parents of minor children
  • In exceptional hardship cases, other relatives

Important: For adult children or siblings, particularly strict requirements apply.

Deadlines and Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted before entry at the competent German embassy or consulate.

Note: Refugees often have a 3-month deadline after recognition to benefit from eased conditions (e.g., no language requirement).

Missed the deadline? Much stricter conditions apply.

Requirements and Proofs

Key requirements:

  • Secured livelihood: no reliance on social benefits
  • Adequate housing for all family members
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of family relation: original certificates, translations, sometimes legalization

Additional documents may be required depending on the case.

Language Certificates

Spouses must usually prove basic German skills (A1 level) before entry.

Exceptions:

  • Family reunification with recognized refugees within 3 months
  • Spouse is German
  • Special hardship
  • Severe illness

Many applications fail due to missing language certificates – I support you in preparation and legal arguments.

Special Rules for Refugees

Recognized refugees (asylum beneficiaries and Geneva Convention refugees) have a right to family reunification if they apply within the deadline.

Advantages:

  • No proof of livelihood required
  • No language certificate
  • Easier conditions

But: Subsidiary protection is not the same as refugee protection (see next section).

Family Reunification for Subsidiary Protection

With subsidiary protection, there is no automatic right.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior sets annual quotas. According to § 36a AufenthG, reunification may be granted on humanitarian grounds – the application and reasoning are particularly complex.

Hardship Cases

In extraordinary cases, other relatives may also reunify:

  • Need for care
  • Severe disability
  • Unreasonable separation

In such cases, a residence permit under § 36 (2) AufenthG may be granted.

Visa Procedure at the Embassy

Procedure:

  1. Appointment (often long waiting times)
  2. Application with documents
  3. Embassy review
  4. Transfer to immigration authority in Germany
  5. Approval by the authority
  6. Visa issuance and entry

Tip: Get advice before applying to avoid delays and rejections.

Processing Time and Waiting Periods

Procedures often take 6–12 months, sometimes longer.

Delays arise due to:

  • High workload at authorities
  • Missing documents
  • Complex identity checks
  • Inquiries from the immigration office

A lawyer can help speed up the process and take legal action in case of excessive delay.

Rejection and Legal Remedies

If your application is rejected, options include:

  • Remonstration (appeal to the embassy)
  • Administrative court claim
  • Urgent application in case of family separation risk

Note: Deadlines are short (1 month). Missing them makes the decision final.

Documents and Practical Tips

Prepare in advance:

  • Passports of all family members
  • Marriage and birth certificates
  • Proof of German skills
  • Rental contract (housing)
  • Payslips
  • Health insurance proof
  • Recognition decision (e.g., refugee status)

Tip: Many documents must be certified and translated.

Family Reunification with Children

Special rules:

  • Minor children may join both parents.
  • Minor recognized refugees have the right to bring their parents (§ 36 (1) AufenthG).
  • Adult children may reunify only in exceptional cases.

Reunification with German Citizens

Easier rules apply:

  • No livelihood proof
  • No language requirement
  • Simplified procedure

But: Proof of family relation is still required.

My Legal Support

As a migration lawyer, I support you with:

  • Checking requirements
  • Preparing documents
  • Submitting the visa application
  • Communication with embassy and immigration office
  • Urgent procedures in case of separation
  • Litigation against rejection

My experience helps avoid mistakes and increase success rates.

Contact

Family reunification is an emotional matter – I work to ensure you live with your loved ones again soon.

Phone: +49 172 8974716
E-Mail: beisel@duckscheer.de

Book your initial consultation now – together we make your application a success.

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