Children and spouses of foreign nationals living in Germany may be granted a residence permit on family grounds. This permit allows them to

• move to Germany and
• are entitled to engage in gainful employment.

The same applies to the following same-sex civil partnerships:

• "registered civil partnerships " as defined by the German Civil Partnership Act
• civil partnerships recognized by foreign law that essentially correspond to the German “registered civil partnership”

• You meet the passport and visa requirements.
• You have sufficient means to support yourself without relying on public funds.
• There are no grounds for your deportation.
• Your stay does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Your family member already living in Germany has a
  • settlement permit,
  • a long-term residence permit (EC), or
  • residence permit and
  • sufficient living space available.
• For spousal reunification, additionally:
  • Minimum age for both spouses: 18 years
  • Basic knowledge of German on the part of the person(s) joining the family
• For the reunification of children between the ages of 16 and 18, the following additional requirements apply:
  • Entry as part of a family unit with the parents, or
  • Proficiency in the German language or a positive integration prognosis (e.g., due to growing up in a German-speaking household or attending a German-speaking school) or
  • Existence of a special hardship case

In addition, you may need to meet further requirements. Please check directly with the responsible authority.

Foreign nationals who are minors and who

• grew up in Germany or
• have entered the country as part of a child reunification program,

may obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions.

The family reunification of family members of nationals of EU/EEA countries is governed by the Freedom of Movement Act/EU. This means:

• Family members of EU/EEA nationals who are themselves nationals of an EU or EEA country may enter freely and engage in gainful employment.
• Family members of EU/EEA nationals who are not themselves nationals of an EU or EEA country also have the right to enter and reside in Switzerland 

Since September 1, 2011, you have received your residence permit in the form of a card with additional electronic functions. For more information, see Electronic Residence Permit (eAT) .

Processing may take several weeks.

• Proof of Compliance with Passport and Visa Requirements
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof that there are no grounds for your deportation
• Proof that you do not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Proof of the residence permit of your family member already living in Germany
• Proof of adequate living space
• Proof of family relationship (e.g., birth and marriage certificates, proof of a registered civil partnership)
• For spousal reunification, additionally:
  • Proof of the minimum age of both spouses
  • Proof of basic German language skills for the person joining the family
• For the reunification of children between the ages of 16 and 18, additionally:
  • Proof of entry as part of a family unit with the parents or
  • Proof of German language proficiency or a positive integration prognosis, or
  • Proof of a particularly difficult situation

Note: Depending on which additional requirements you must meet, the responsible authority may request additional documents.

• Valid for up to one year: 100 euros
• Valid for more than one year: 110 euros
• Renewal for up to three months: 65 euros
• Renewal for more than three months: 80 euros

Note: You may be exempt from these fees only in exceptional cases.