Route: family

Spouses, children and parents: language exemptions for US citizens and Blue Card holders.

Family reunification (AufenthG sections 27 ff.) depends on who is already in Germany and which title they hold. You can often enter visa-free and apply in Berlin, see Entry.

Spouses

• Spouse of a foreigner in Germany (§ 30): both aged 18+, the sponsor holds a qualifying title, and the spouse speaks simple German (A1). Exceptions in § 30 (1) S. 3:
  • Nr. 4: this follows the nationality of the partner who already lives in Germany. A spouse who joins a US citizen living in Germany (§ 41 AufenthV) needs no A1, whatever the joining spouse's own nationality.
  • Nr. 5: sponsor holds a Blue Card, an ICT card, or a title under §§ 18a, 18b, 18c (3), 18d, 18f, § 19c (1) (certain activities), § 19c (2), § 19c (4) S. 1 or § 21 (self-employed). No A1 needed.
• Spouse of a German (§ 28 (1) S. 1 Nr. 1): S. 5 applies § 30 (1) S. 1 Nr. 1-2 and S. 3 "correspondingly". A US citizen joining a German spouse needs A1. Exemptions exist only under Nr. 2, 3 and 6 (for example illness, low integration need, unreasonable burden) and in cases of unreasonableness (BVerwG 10 C 12.12). See the BAMF leaflet on exemptions.
• Source: § 30, § 28. The sponsor's living costs, housing and any waiting periods depend on the sponsor's title (§ 30 (1) S. 1 Nr. 3).

Children

Minor unmarried children of a foreigner with a qualifying title: § 32. Age limits, custody proof and exemptions not checked in detail here. Children of a German: § 28 (1) Nr. 2.

Parents

• Hardship (§ 36 (2)): "other family members" may get a permit only to avoid an exceptional hardship.
• Parents of skilled workers (§ 36 (3)): if a Blue Card, ICT card or title under §§ 18a, 18b, 18c (3), 18d, 18f, 19c (1) (certain jobs), 19c (2)/(4) or § 21 is granted for the first time on or after 1 March 2024, the parents (and the spouse's parents if the spouse lives permanently in Germany) may receive a permit. Condition: secured living costs (§ 5 (1) Nr. 1). Source: § 36.
• This is a "may" provision. Health insurance for parents is a practical obstacle; see Health.

Same-sex and unmarried partners

Registered partners are treated like spouses in the law; we did not check partners without registration.