top of page
VISAGUARD Logo

Glossary: Family reunification

Category: Visa & Residence Permits (Residence permit as long-term national D visa or long-term work permit according to § 4 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 1, no. 2 AufenthG )

Author: Mirko Vorreuter , LL.B. , Attorney at Law and Specialist Attorney for Immigration Law (License examination via the Federal Official Directory of Lawyers possible)

The image shows an official/formal legal template of a residence permit/eAT ("electronic residence permit") in the form of a plastic card. The plastic card is the physical document with which foreigners prove their residence status in Germany.

Image description: The image shows a binding template of a residence permit for family reunification in the form of a so-called " electronic residence permit (eAT) " pursuant to Section 78 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG ) (applicable when issued domestically by the immigration authorities). The template is based on Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 on the uniform format of residence permits for third-country nationals , which is regularly updated. In exceptional cases, the residence permit for family reunification can also be issued as an adhesive label ("visa sticker") by the immigration authorities and affixed to the passport , in accordance with Section 78a of the German Residence Act. The corresponding pattern of the adhesive label is not regulated under European law in Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002, but nationally in Annex D14 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) (residence permit pursuant to Section 4 Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 to 4 of the Residence Act ).


If the residence permit for spousal reunification is not issued as an electronic residence permit by the immigration authorities in Germany, but as a visa by German diplomatic missions abroad, the visa application form is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 on a uniform visa format . Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 on a uniform visa format has been transposed into German law by Section 59 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) . The visa stamp is shown in Annex D13a of the Residence Ordinance .

Under “Remarks” (or on the supplementary sheet ), in the case of a spousal visa , “Section 30 Family Reunification” or a similar entry must be made (e.g., stay for the purpose of family reunification). Under “Remarks,” the extent to which employment is permitted or prohibited must also be entered ( Section 4a Paragraph 3 Sentence 1 of the Residence Act; employment is always permitted in the case of family reunification ( Section 30 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act )). The substantive validity period of the spousal visa must also be entered under “Remarks” if it differs from the formal validity period (e.g., due to an expiring passport (“Visa valid until…”)). In some cases, further supplementary provisions are entered under “Remarks” at the discretion of the processing officer.

Table of contents

1. What does a residence permit for family reunification look like (image)?

2. Definition of family reunification

3. Who needs a residence permit for family reunification with their spouse?

4. Example: Family reunification

5. Important information regarding family reunification

5.1 Duration of residence permit for spousal reunification

5.2 Extension of residence permit for spousal reunification

5.3 Costs of a residence permit for family reunification

5.4 Processing time for residence permits for family reunification with spouses

5.5 Competent authority for family reunification

6. Rights and options for family reunification with a spouse

6.1 Work permit with family reunification

6.2 Studies, school, language course with family reunification

6.3 Family reunification with spousal reunification

6.4 Travel and stays abroad with spousal reunification

6.5 Eligible group of persons for family reunification

7. Requirements for a residence permit for family reunification with a spouse

8. Required documents: Residence permit for spousal reunification

9. Apply for spousal reunification online

10. Advantages of spousal reunification

11. Consolidation of residence through family reunification with spouse

11.1 Path from family reunification to permanent residence permit

11.2 Path from family reunification to naturalization

11.3 Next steps: Residence permit for family reunification

12. Legal basis for family reunification

13. Important laws regarding family reunification

14. Important rulings on family reunification

15. Frequently Asked Questions about Spousal Reunification

16. Further information

16.1 Family reunification in other glossaries

16.2 Related Topics

16.3 Blog posts on family reunification

16.4 Glossary entries on family reunification

16.5 Sources and references on family reunification

Definition of spouse visa

The spouse visa pursuant to Section 30 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) (legally correct: residence permit for family reunification; colloquially sometimes referred to simply as a "marriage visa" or "spousal reunification"; English: Spousal Reunification Visa/Spousal Visa/Dependent Visa) is a temporary residence permit ( residence permit or visa ) for the purpose of family reunification ( Sections 28 et seq. AufenthG ), specifically for joining a German (Section 28 AufenthG) or foreign ( Section 29 AufenthG ) spouse. In legal terminology, the person living in Germany with whom the family reunification is to take place is referred to as the "reference person" or "parent." Terminologically, the term spouse visa must be strictly distinguished from the marriage visa , which is issued prior to the marriage to fiancés of German citizens to allow them to marry in Germany.

Who needs family reunification?

Any third-country national who wishes to join their spouse in Germany requires a spousal visa in accordance with Section 30 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG ). The term "family reunification" encompasses not only the physical change of location but also all applications for family reunification within Germany. Spousal reunification is therefore also referred to as family reunification if both spouses are already residing in Germany. EU citizens with freedom of movement rights and spouses of EU citizens with freedom of movement rights do not require a (constitutive) spousal visa, but only a (declaratory) residence card for family members of EU citizens (Section 3 Paragraph 1 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU).

Example : The wife of an Indian IT professional wants to move to Germany after her husband, who lives in Germany, has received an EU Blue Card as a residence permit from the immigration authorities and has passed his probationary period with his employer .

Important information about spousal visas

Duration of spouse visa

The validity period of a spousal visa is based on the validity period of the spouse's residence permit in Germany or depends on the validity period of their visa. A residence permit for the purpose of family reunification may be granted for a maximum of the validity period of the residence permit of the foreign national to whom the family reunification takes place ( § 27 para. 4 of the German Residence Act ). It must be granted for this period if the foreign national to whom the family reunification takes place holds a residence permit for research purposes or pursuant to § 38a of the German Residence Act , or an EU Blue Card or an ICT Card . Otherwise, the spousal visa must initially be granted for a minimum of one year ( § 27 para. 4 sentence 3 of the German Residence Act ). As long as the marriage continues, the spousal visa can be repeatedly extended. After a dissolution of the marriage (divorce or death), the spouses' independent right of residence can be extended for 1 year ( divorce visa according to § 31 AufenthG ).

Spouse visa extension

The spousal visa (as a residence permit ) can be extended an unlimited number of times as long as the marital relationship continues. A mere formal continuation of the marriage is not sufficient, as the residence permit is granted for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the family relationship within Germany ( § 27 para. 1 of the Residence Act ).

Cost of spouse visa

The fee for issuing a national visa for family reunification (category "D") is €75, and for extending a national visa (category "D") it is €25 (§ 45 para. 2 of the Residence Ordinance). If the spousal visa is applied for in Germany at the immigration office (spousal visa as a residence permit ), the fee is €100 (§ 45 no. 1 of the Residence Ordinance). In practice, additional translation and authentication costs for the marriage certificate are often incurred if the marriage was not solemnized in Germany.

Processing time for spouse visa

The processing time for a spousal visa depends on whether it is applied for at an embassy abroad or at the immigration office in Germany . Applications and issuance within Germany are usually possible within a few weeks. The processing time for spousal visas applied for abroad depends significantly on the country and the responsible authority. Spousal reunification visas are politically and socially less desirable than labor migration. Therefore, processing times for spousal reunification visas are sometimes extremely long. In some African and Asian countries (especially Iran and Pakistan), booking an appointment for a spousal visa can even take up to two years, as there is only a waiting list. The processing time for a spousal visa is further extended by the fact that the immigration office at the place of residence of the German sponsor usually has to approve the spousal reunification ( § 31 AufenthV ). The processing time can therefore be extremely long, both for booking an appointment at the embassy and for obtaining approval from the immigration authorities. In practice , legal representation is therefore very helpful when applying for a visa in African and Asian countries, as an action for failure to act can be filed after three months of processing time ( § 75 VwGO ).

Competent authority for spousal visas

For the issuance of a D visa for the purpose of family reunification with a spouse, the German missions abroad authorized by the Federal Foreign Office are responsible, in accordance with Section 71 Paragraph 2 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG). If the spousal visa is to be applied for within Germany ( residence permit for family reunification with a spouse), the immigration authorities are responsible (Section 71 Paragraph 1 AufenthG).

Rights and options with a spouse visa

Work permit Spouse visa

The spousal visa grants unlimited rights to any type of employment ( § 4a para. 1 sentence 1 of the German Residence Act). Therefore, according to § 30 of the German Residence Act, the spousal visa permits both employment and self-employment . This makes the spousal visa particularly attractive and even better than most work visas.

Study , school , language course with spouse visa

Attending university, school, and language courses is possible with any residence permit, including a spousal visa. No separate permit is required.

Family reunification with a spouse visa

Family reunification for spouses is generally possible ( § 29 para. 1 no. 1 of the German Residence Act ). The same applies to the reunification of minor children with the holder of a spouse's visa (see § 32 para. 1 no. 1 of the German Residence Act ). Even family reunification for parents with the holder of a spouse's visa is possible if they are spouses of skilled workers , as § 36 para. 3 of the German Residence Act also allows for the reunification of parents-in-law.

Travel and stays abroad with a spouse visa

Entry to and exit from Germany is straightforward with a spousal visa , as long as the visa is valid . A certificate of deemed residence is required for travel with an expired spousal visa. Stays abroad of up to six months are permitted with a spousal visa ( § 51 para. 1 no. 7 of the German Residence Act ). Spouses of EU Blue Card holders are permitted a stay of 12 months (§ 51 para. 10 of the German Residence Act).

Eligible group of persons for a spouse visa

All non-European foreigners (third-country nationals) who are married to a German or foreign national (who is legally residing in Germany with a residence permit) are eligible for a spousal visa ( § 30 AufenthG ). This also applies to same-sex couples under the Civil Partnership Act (LPartG) . Unrecognized cohabiting relationships do not entitle the holder to a spousal visa, but may be recognized as a right of residence for related persons under the freedom of movement law (§ 3a FreizügG/EU).

Contact Us

Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!

Voraussetzungen Ehegattenvisum

Die Voraussetzungen von Ehegattenvisa unterscheiden sich danach, ob der Ehegattennachzug zu einem deutschen (§ 28 AufenthG), ausländischen (§ 29 AufenthG) oder europäischen (§ 3 Abs. 1 FreizügG/EU) Staatsangehörigen stattfindet.


Die Voraussetzungen für den Ehegattennachzug zu ausländischen Staatsangehörigen (§ 29 AufenthG) sind wie folgt:


  1. Formell rechtswirksame und anerkannte Ehe (§ 30 Abs. 1 AufenthG)

  2. “Gelebte” Ehegemeinschaft (keine Scheinehen; § 27 Abs. 1 AufenthG)

  3. Referenzperson/Stammberechtigter in Deutschland hat eine Niederlassungserlaubnis, Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU oder eine eine Blaue Karte EU oder eine ICT-Karte (§ 30 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 3 AufenthG); alternativ ist jede andere Aufenthaltserlaubnis möglich, wenn die Aufenthaltserlaubnis bereits seit 2 Jahren besteht und die Ehe bereits bei der Erteilung bestand (§ 30 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 3 AufenthG)

  4. Keine Versagungsgründe vorhanden (keine polyamoren Ehen (§ 30 Abs. 4 AufenthG), keine Ehen von und mit Minderjährigen (§ 30 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG))

  5. Ggf. A1-Sprachkenntnisse (§ 30 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 2 AufenthG; u.a. dann nicht erforderlich, wenn der in Deutschland lebende Ehegatte eine Fachkraft ist)

  6. Zustimmung der Ausländerbehörde (§ 31 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthV)

  7. Gesicherter Lebensunterhalt gemäß § 5 AufenthG für beide Ehegatten (ausreichende finanzielle Ressourcen und Krankenversicherung)

  8. Wohnraum für beide Ehegatten (§ 29 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 2 AufenthG)

  9. Gültiger Pass und gesicherte Identität (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1a, Nr. 3 AufenthG)

  10. Keine Ermittlungen/kein anhängiges Strafverfahren gegen den Antragsteller (siehe § 79 Abs. 2 AufenthG)

  11. Kein Ausweisungsinteresse (keine negativen AZR/SIS/VIS-Einträge), keine Sicherheitsgefahr, keine Vorstrafen (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 2, Nr. 3 AufenthG), keine Einreisesperre (§ 11 AufenthG), keine Erlöschensgründe (§ 51 AufenthG) und keine vorherige Asylantragstellung (§ 10 AufenthG)


Bei Erstbeantragung als Aufenthaltserlaubnis im Inland: Legale Ersteinreise mit Visum gemäß § 5 Abs. 2 AufenthG (wenn nicht Best-Friends-Staatsangehöriger, § 41 AufenthV)

The requirements for family reunification with a spouse of a German national ( § 28 AufenthG ) are as follows:


  1. Jurisdiction of the respective authority (depends on the place of residence or habitual abode, see Section 3 Paragraph 1 No. 3 a) VwVfG )

  2. No ongoing investigations/no pending criminal proceedings against the applicant (see Section 79 Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act )

  3. Formally legally valid and recognized marriage ( § 30 para. 1 Residence Act )

  4. "Lived" marital community (not sham marriages; Section 27 Paragraph 1 Residence Act )

  5. A1 language skills (§ 30 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 2 of the Residence Act; in the case of family reunification with German citizens, the exceptions of § 30 para. 1 sentence 3 of the Residence Act do not apply; exceptions regarding language skills only apply in the “return cases”/Surinder Singh Route according to § 12a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU or Art. 21 TFEU )

  6. Secure livelihood in accordance with § 5 of the Residence Act for both spouses (sufficient financial resources, housing and health insurance )

  7. No specific grounds for refusal exist (no polyamorous marriages (§ 30 para. 4 AufenthG) and no marriages of and with minors (§ 30 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 1 AufenthG))

  8. Valid passport and verified identity (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1a, no. 3 Residence Act)

  9. No grounds for deportation (no negative AZR/SIS/VIS entries ), no security risk, no criminal record (§ 5 para. 1 no. 2, no. 3 AufenthG), no entry ban ( § 11 AufenthG ), no grounds for expiry ( § 51 AufenthG ) and no prior asylum application ( § 10 AufenthG )

  10. For initial applications for a residence permit within Germany: Legal first entry with a visa in accordance with Section 5 Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act (unless a national of a "Best Friends" country , Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance )

The requirements for family reunification with spouses of European nationals (§ 3 FreizügG/EU) are as follows:


  1. formally valid and recognized marriage

  2. EU citizens are entitled to freedom of movement in accordance with Section 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU.

  3. Marital union is actually lived in Germany/EU citizen has not left Germany (§ 3 para. 1 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)

  4. Securing the livelihood of the Union citizen and his/her spouse if the Union citizen is not employed (§ 4 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)

  5. Fulfillment of the passport requirement by the Union citizen and his spouse (§ 2a Freedom of Movement Act/EU)

  6. No grounds for refusal due to endangerment of public order or health (§ 6 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)


Regarding the requirements for family reunification with spouses of EU citizens or third-country nationals/German nationals, it is particularly relevant that family reunification with third-country nationals and Germans (scope of the Residence Act) must be granted (constitutive issuance of the spouse visa), while family reunification with EU citizens and in cases of return (scope of the Freedom of Movement Act ) is permitted by law (declaratory issuance of the spouse visa). An exception to this principle is the reunification of "close relatives" (i.e., persons who are not formally married to the reference person but are nevertheless closely connected to them (see, for example , the Argentine "Unión Convivencial/Unión Civil (civil partnership)" ) under the Freedom of Movement Act ), who must also first be granted the right of residence (see Section 3a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU ("upon application")).

Required documents: Spouse visa

The requirements for a spousal visa are proven with the appropriate documents. It is particularly important to distinguish whether the spousal visa is applied for as a visa abroad at the embassy or as a residence permit within Germany at the immigration office, and what type of spousal visa it is ( family reunification with third-country nationals/Germans/ Europeans ).


Regarding the necessary documents, the country in which the visa is applied for is also crucial. The credibility of the marriage certificate plays a particularly important role here. Experience shows that applying for spousal visas is considerably easier in Western countries than, for example, in North Africa or Central Asia. In some countries, the requirements for the plausibility of certain documents are even excessively stringent, to prevent the misuse of spousal visas in sham marriages. Such sham marriages occur particularly in Eastern European countries, where a thriving marriage market exists, allowing third-country nationals to obtain freedom of movement throughout Europe (including Germany) by marrying an Eastern European.


In most cases, a spousal visa requires at least the following documents:

  1. Application form: VIDEX form or online form in the foreign portal (for applications from abroad) or application form of the relevant immigration authority (for applications in Germany as a residence permit )

  2. Proof of existing marriage: Credible marriage certificate (further evidence such as family photos may be required if the plausibility of the application is problematic)

  3. Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (financial situation): For employees, employment contract (with successful completion of the probationary period) and salary statements; for self-employed individuals , income tax return, audit report from the tax advisor and business analyses (BWA).

  4. Proof of sufficient means of subsistence ( health insurance ): Health insurance certificate in Germany for both spouses (travel health insurance is not sufficient)

  5. Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (housing): Spouses must provide proof of sufficient living space (approx. 12 sqm per person) with their rental agreement.

  6. If required: Proof of A1 language certificate (only for spousal reunification with German citizens and only if there is no case of return (§ 12a Freedom of Movement Act/EU)).

  7. Proof of the authority's jurisdiction: Proof of residence (registration certificate when applying domestically for a residence permit or other proof when applying abroad for a visa )

  8. Proof of identity, nationality and travel authorization: passport ; in some countries additional documents such as birth certificates, registration certificates or ID cards are required.

  9. Other formalities:

In practice, a particular focus of the eligibility check is on documents demonstrating sufficient means of subsistence , as both the embassy and the immigration authorities verify this during the approval process ( § 31 AufenthV ). Cases of family reunification with self-employed individuals ( § 21 AufenthG ) are especially problematic, as they require extensive documentation of their financial situation (e.g., income tax return, audit report from a tax advisor, and business analysis for the previous year).


The required documents for a spousal visa are usually listed on the English version of the website of the German embassy or consulate (see, for example, information sheets on spousal visas for the USA , spousal visas for the UK , spousal visas for Canada , andspousal visas for Australia ). The same applies when applying for a spousal visa as a residence permit within Germany (see, for example, document requirements for a spousal visa in Berlin ).

Apply for a spouse visa online

Whether a spousal visa can be applied for online abroad depends largely on whether the respective German mission abroad is registered in the Federal Foreign Office's online portal . If not, the spousal visa must be applied for during the visa appointment . However, if no appointments are available, the spousal visa can also be applied for by mail or email and the VIDEX online application form for D-visas is sent to the embassy. Saving or downloading the VIDEX form does not constitute an online application for the spousal visa (the VIDEX form only serves to prepare for submitting the application form at the visa appointment). Some external service providers of the Federal Foreign Office also offer online applications for spousal visas.


If you wish to apply for a residence permit for family reunification with your spouse online at the immigration office, you can usually do so on their website. The following immigration offices, among others, offer online applications for family reunification as a residence permit:



Apart from the listed immigration offices, other immigration offices also offer online applications for spousal reunification. To find out more, simply check the website of the immigration office responsible for your area.

Advantages of a spouse visa

A spousal visa has the following advantages:

  • Staying in Germany and entering Germany is possible.

  • Studying or taking a language course is possible in Germany.

  • A legally enshrined protected interest ( Art. 6 GG ) that guarantees the reunification of family members.

  • Access to the labor market: Spouses joining their spouses in Germany have unrestricted access to the labor market.

  • The (other) family may be brought to Germany under certain circumstances.

  • Some social assistance benefits can be applied for.

The path from spouse visa to permanent residence permit

A spousal visa can be converted into a permanent residence permit in several ways, depending on the type of spousal visa, provided the respective requirements are met:

Apart from the cases mentioned above, spouses of foreigners and Germans also have the option of applying for the general settlement permit ( § 9 AufenthG ) or the permit for long-term residence EU ( § 9a AufenthG ).

Path from family reunification to naturalization

If the residence permit for family reunification is valid, naturalization is straightforward, as this type of residence permit is not excluded under Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG) . If the residence permit for family reunification is a D visa , it should first be converted into a residence permit.

Next steps for spousal visa

For spousal visas , proof of sufficient means of subsistence plays a crucial role. Therefore, before applying for a spousal visa, you should first assess whether your financial resources within the marriage are sufficient to cover the living expenses (including adequate housing and health insurance ) of both spouses. You should also check what formal requirements the relevant authority in your country (for a spousal visa as a residence permit at the immigration office) or abroad (for a spousal visa as a visa at the embassy) has regarding the authenticity of the document (e.g., apostille or legalization). Next, you need to research how to apply for the spousal visa at the responsible authority (e.g., online or by appointment). Then, gather the necessary documents (a list is usually available on the embassy website/immigration office website) and submit them. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements and assist you with the application process. → Book an appointment

Contact Us

Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!

Legal basis for spousal visa

The legal basis for a spousal visa is Section 30 of the Residence Act (AufenthG ) in conjunction with the general family reunification provision of Section 27 of the Residence Act . This legal basis must then be examined together with the legal basis for spousal reunification with foreign nationals ( Section 29 of the Residence Act ) and spousal reunification with German nationals ( Section 28 of the Residence Act ). The provisions for spousal reunification with European nationals can be found in Sections 2, 3, 3a, 4, and 12a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU. In a broader sense, the Civil Status Act (PStG) and the Introductory Act to the German Civil Code (EGBGB) also provide legal bases for a spousal visa.


The legal basis for spousal visas is also largely derived from fundamental and human rights and is strongly influenced by European law . Accordingly, spousal visas are also based on the following norms:

In the area of humanitarian law , Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification also plays a special role with regard to spousal visas. Furthermore, some provisions concerning spousal visas can be found in the respective regulations for other types of visas (e.g., in the Highly Qualified Workers Directive or the ICT Directive ).

Important laws regarding spouse visas

The most important laws regarding spousal visas are the following:

Important rulings on spousal visas

The most important rulings regarding spousal visas are the following:

Frequently Asked Questions about Spousal Reunification

How long does it take for a spouse to join their partner?

The duration of the process depends heavily on the workload of the authorities involved – the German embassy abroad and the immigration office in Germany. Generally, processing takes three to six months. At some diplomatic missions (particularly in Africa and Asia), processing times can be several years (e.g., in Islamabad, Tehran, or Dhaka). If documents in the country of origin first need to be verified for authenticity (document verification), the process can be delayed by another two to three months. Skilled workers, such as those holding an EU Blue Card, often benefit from expedited procedures where family reunification can be processed within a few weeks.


When is a spousal reunification application rejected?

An application will be rejected if the minimum legal requirements are not met, for example, due to insufficient language skills or inadequate income of the partner living in Germany. Doubts about the authenticity of the marriage are also a frequent reason for rejection; if the authorities suspect a sham marriage (for example, due to contradictory statements in separate interviews), the visa will be refused. In practice, however, rejections of spousal visas are less common than rejections of language course visas or Schengen visas, as long as the requirements (especially proof of sufficient means of subsistence) are met.

What is the minimum income required for a spouse to join their partner in Germany?

There is no fixed flat rate, as the minimum income required for subsistence (§ 5 of the German Residence Act) is calculated individually. A rule of thumb is that the net income must be high enough that the family would not be entitled to state benefits (such as basic income support). This is the case when there is approximately €600 per person, plus enough money for rent and insurance. A net income of around €3,000 is generally sufficient to cover living expenses, although this also depends on the amount of rent and the number of children.


How much living space is needed for spousal reunification?

Legal regulations require "sufficient living space" as part of securing one's livelihood and as a general prerequisite for family reunification (§ 29 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 2 of the German Residence Act). According to case law, this means that at least 12 square meters of living space must be available for each family member over the age of six (see Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg, judgment of July 31, 2015 - 7 B 39.14); 10 square meters are sufficient for children under six. A shortfall of up to 10% is still accepted by most authorities and the courts (see Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg, March 25, 2010, OVG 3 B 9.08). It is important that the living space is actually usable and that this is proven by a rental agreement or a land register extract (in the case of ownership). The rent for the living space must be in line with local market rates. Otherwise, a gratuitous tenancy is presumed, which can lead to the rejection of the application.

Spouse visa in other glossaries

The spousal visa can also be found in the following glossaries:

Sources and references on spousal reunification

( Government resources and literature )

[1] Visa Handbook, Family Reunification for Spouses and Partners, Version: 06/2024

[2] Administrative Instructions on Residence in Berlin (VAB), as of 18 February 2025, Section 30 of the Residence Act

[3] Bergmann/Dienelt/Dienelt, Commentary on Immigration Law, 15th ed. 2025, Residence Act § 30

[4] BeckOK AuslR/Tewacht, 46th ed. 1.4.2025, AufenthG § 30 Rn. 1-40

[5] BeckOK MigR/Zimmerer, 24th ed. 1.1.2026, AufenthG § 30 Rn. 1-43

[6] NK-AuslR/Müller, 3rd ed. 2023, AufenthG § 30

[7] Huber/Mantel/Eichhorn, Residence Act/Asylum Act, 4th ed. 2025, Residence Act § 30

[8] MüKoStGB/Gericke, 4th ed. 2022, AufenthG § 30

[9] Fleuß in Heusch/Ullrich/Posser HdB Constitutional Law | § 9 Immigration Law | 1st edition 2024, d) Family reunification of spouses pursuant to § 30 Residence Act

[10] Eichenhofer in Huber/Eichenhofer/Endres de Oliveira, AufenthaltsR | Part 1. Residence Act, paras. 871-874 | 2nd edition 2025, b) Family reunification of spouses with Germans (§ 28 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 1 Residence Act)

[11] Maor in Kluth/Hornung/Koch, Immigration Law Handbook | § 4 Residence (Requirements, Purposes of Residence, Integration) Rn. 1289-1296 | 4th edition 2025, b) Family Reunification

[12] Lisken/Denninger/Bäcker, Handbook of Police Law, 8th ed. 2026, Chapter 8, paragraphs 63-67

[13] Marx in Marx, Residence, Asylum and Refugee Law | §6 Marriage and Family Rn. 5-6 | 8th edition 2023, I. Family Reunification (§ 30 Residence Act)

[14] Wiedmann/Niehaus in Dörig MigrationsR-HdB | § 5 Aufenthaltsgesetz Rn. 535-538 | 3rd edition 2024, b) Family reunification

[15] Tiede/Bogedain/Migge: The residence permit for foreign spouses of German citizens under Section 28 of the Residence Act, NJ 2016, 221

[16] Marx: Language proficiency and family reunification, essay by Marx, ZAR 2011, 15

[17] Lübbe: On the migration risk prognosis when spouses wishing to join their partner apply for a visitor visa for the purpose of language acquisition, article by Lübbe, ZAR 2009, 215

[18] Kingreen: Constitutional issues of spousal and family reunification in immigration law

Article by Kingreen, ZAR 2007, 13

[19] Julia Ecker, Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification, migraex, 71, 2004

[20] Prof. Dr. Susanne Lilian Gössl: Digital marriage in German conflict of laws, StAZ No. 4/2022

[21] Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification (Family Reunification Directive)

[22] Section 30 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG) of 25 February 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 162), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 25 October 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 332)

Last updated : January 5, 2026


Need help? VISAGUARD offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of residence permits. → Book an appointment

bottom of page