Family and children

Partners and children of Polish citizens, family members from non-EU countries, residence card, Kita and school in Berlin.

Family members of Union citizens

Family members of workers, self-employed people, job seekers, service providers and recipients have the right to accompany or join the Union citizen (§ 3 (1) FreizügG/EU). For non-working Union citizens the family joins under the conditions of § 4 (health insurance and means). For students only spouse, partner and supported children. Family members are (§ 1 (2) no. 3 FreizügG/EU): spouse; registered partner; children and grandchildren (also of the spouse or partner) under 21 or supported; parents and grandparents (also of the spouse or partner) if supported.

Family members who are not EU citizens

• Non-EU family members need a visa unless their nationality is visa-free; the visa is free of charge (§ 2a (2) FreizügG/EU). A valid residence card, also one from another EU/EEA state, replaces the visa (§ 2a (3)).
• They receive a residence card (Aufenthaltskarte), issued ex officio within six months of providing the details, normally valid five years (§ 5 (1) FreizügG/EU). Apply at the Berlin immigration authority (LEA Berlin). A confirmation that they supplied the details is issued immediately.
• After a death, divorce or departure, rights may continue under certain conditions (§ 3 (2) to (4)), for example a marriage lasting three years before divorce proceedings, one year of it in Germany. Get advice quickly in such cases.
• After five years together, family members can acquire permanent residence (§ 4a (1)).

Children in Berlin

• School is compulsory. Berlin sets school duty by law; enrolment is through the district school office and the school. Exact age rules and welcome classes (Willkommensklassen) in Berlin not checked; see berlin.de/sen/bildung.
• Kita (day care): Berlin uses a care voucher (Kita-Gutschein) from the district youth office; entitlement, timing and costs were not verified here; see service.berlin.de.
• Money for families: Kindergeld and benefits.