The Family Reunification visa (§§ 27–36 AufenthG) allows legal spouses, registered civil partners, and unmarried minor children (under 18) to join a family member (the reference person) residing in Germany. Spouses of EU Blue Card holders benefit from streamlined processing with key exemptions.
Core requirements
- Marriage validity
- Legal, official marriage certificate (Eheurkunde) with Hague Apostille or consular legalization, issued before entry.
- Language proficiency
- A1 German certificate (Goethe, Telc, ÖSD) for the joining spouse.
- Exemptions: no A1 German certificate is required if the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card (§ 18g), a research permit, or is a highly qualified specialist.
- Sufficient health insurance
- Full health insurance coverage upon entry (either statutory family insurance Familienversicherung or private expat incoming insurance).
Living space and income requirements
- Adequate housing (Ausreichender Wohnraum)
- Minimum 12 m² of living space per family member aged 6 and older.
- Minimum 10 m² per child under 6 years old.
- Exemption: EU Blue Card holders and certain skilled workers under § 18b are exempted from rigid housing verification checks by the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).
- Secured livelihood (Lebensunterhaltssicherung)
- The sponsor's net monthly salary must cover the entire household's basic needs (Bürgergeld standard rates) plus warm rent without drawing social welfare benefits.
Spouse work rights and family benefits
- Unrestricted employment
- Spouses joining a primary resident receive full, unrestricted employment rights (§ 27 Abs. 5 AufenthG). They can work full-time, part-time, as a freelancer, or take a Mini-Job immediately upon arrival.
- Child benefit (Kindergeld)
- Families with eligible residence titles receive monthly state child benefits.
Embassy interview questions
What the interviewer is looking for, and how to prepare a clear, consistent answer.
When and where did you get married, and how long have you been together?
What they are checking: Authenticity of the marriage and checking against marriages of convenience (Scheinehe).
How to answer: State the exact date and location of your legal marriage, and briefly mention your relationship timeline prior to marriage.
What visa or residence status does your spouse hold in Germany?
What they are checking: The legal baseline under §§ 28–30 / § 18g AufenthG for family joinder.
How to answer: State your spouse's exact title (for example: “My spouse holds an EU Blue Card under § 18g AufenthG working as a senior engineer”).
Where will you and your spouse reside in Germany?
What they are checking: Property size and registered address details.
How to answer: Provide the complete city address and rental property details (square meters and number of rooms).
What is your spouse's current monthly income in Germany?
What they are checking: Livelihood stability and non-reliance on public welfare.
How to answer: Mention your partner's gross and net salary, confirming it exceeds the household living threshold.
Do you speak German, or do you have a language certificate?
What they are checking: Compliance with the A1 German requirement or valid exemption status.
How to answer: Present your A1 Goethe or Telc certificate or cite the exemption clause (for example: “I am exempt from the A1 requirement because my spouse is an EU Blue Card holder”).
What are your plans after arriving in Germany? Do you intend to work?
What they are checking: Awareness of spousal employment privileges under German residence law.
How to answer: Explain your plans for integration, such as attending language classes, looking for employment in your professional field, or managing household setup.
How often have you seen each other since your spouse moved to Germany?
What they are checking: Genuine ongoing marital connection.
How to answer: Mention visits, shared holidays, and daily communication habits while living apart.
Does your spouse have health insurance that covers you?
What they are checking: Immediate healthcare coverage upon arrival (Familienversicherung or incoming private policy).
How to answer: State that you will be added to your spouse's public health insurance (Familienversicherung) upon arrival, backed by temporary travel cover.
Are any minor children accompanying you on this visa application?
What they are checking: Concurrent child reunification filings (§ 32 AufenthG) and legal custody documentation.
How to answer: Confirm details for any dependent children, showing apostilled birth certificates and custody documents.
Have you ever been refused a visa for Germany or any Schengen state before?
What they are checking: Previous immigration violations or central register (AZR) records.
How to answer: Answer transparently (yes or no), stating exact years and reasons if a prior rejection occurred.
Information status: September 2026. Requirements, amounts and authority procedures can change. Confirm the current rules with the responsible German authority before applying.
This guide is general information. It is not legal or tax advice, it does not decide your eligibility and it does not guarantee any outcome. Authorities decide individual cases and their decisions can differ.