Leistungen A-Z

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

You can obtain a residence permit for family reunification as the spouse or life partner of a German if you wish to live together in Germany.

The residence permit is issued for a limited period of at least one year and entitles you to pursue gainful employment.

• You are a citizen of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
• You are the spouse or life partner of a German citizen.
• You and your spouse or life partner have reached the age of 18.
• Your German spouse or life partner has his or her habitual residence in Germany (i.e. his or her center of life is not only temporarily in Germany).
• Your marriage/life partnership with the German national is validly concluded and still exists.

Please note: For the validity of the marriage, the form specified at the place of marriage and the marriage requirements there are decisive. The marriage no longer exists if it has been divorced, annulled or declared invalid by an unappealable decision of a competent body.

• You and your spouse/life partner live together in a family relationship (for example, you share a common home). If you do not live together in a shared apartment, you may be considered to be living together as a family if you maintain regular contact with each other that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can communicate at least in a simple way in German (level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This can be waived if there are no German courses offered in your country of origin, if they are too expensive or if you cannot attend them for other reasons.

Please note: under certain circumstances, the Aliens' Registration Office may require you to attend an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.

• There is no interest in deportation against you.

Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Recognized and valid identity document (for example passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Visa, if it was required for entry into the country
• Proof of the existence of marriage or civil partnership (for example marriage certificate)
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at least on level A1 (for example language certificate, German school, training or university certificates, proof of successful participation in integration course)

The documents and information must always be presented in German. In individual cases, the Aliens' Registration Office may require less or further proof.

Issuance of residence permit: EUR 100.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be considered.

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of the residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing as well as the form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

• § Section 45 number 1 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, if possible in original, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eATKarte).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Application deadline: 6 weeks to 8 weeks

The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.

Remark (for more information on the deadline):

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is issued for at least one year. An extension must be applied for in good time before the expiry of the validity at the Aliens' Registration Office

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• § Section 28 (1) no. 1 Residence Act

• As a rule, family reunification with Germans does not require a guarantee of livelihood.
• A residence permit is excluded if the marriage or civil partnership was forced or only entered into for the purpose of joining the family in Germany.
• If multiple marriage is permitted in the country of origin, only the spouse or life partner of the first marriage is entitled to join the family.
• The procedure at the Aliens' Registration Office is usually conducted in German.
• All information given to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief, so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Information on reunification with German family members on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
• Brochure from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the European Migration Network (EMN) on family reunification of third-country nationals in Germany
• Information on family reunification on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration

Ministry of the Interior and for Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg