As a family member of a German citizen, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification if your stay in Germany is necessary to avoid exceptional hardship.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is usually issued for at least one year. You can apply to have your residence permit extended.

• You are a national of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
• The person you are joining has German citizenship and is habitually resident in Germany.
• You are classified as an “other family member” of a German national; in other words, you are neither their spouse nor their unmarried minor child. Other family members include, for example, adult unmarried children, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, as well as foster children. Fathers of biological German children who are not married to the mother are also eligible.
• A special hardship exists, for example, if your German family member is dependent on your assistance due to illness, disability, or the need for long-term care.

Please note : Adverse conditions in your home country do not constitute a hardship case.

• Your family reunification serves to establish a shared family life with the German national (for example, living together in the same home). In cases of geographical separation due solely to work or education, or in cases of a support or care arrangement resulting from placement in a long-term care facility, a family life together may also be recognized if you maintain regular contact with the German national that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay without relying on public benefits.
• There is no basis for deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a specific application form.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself; you will need a representative (usually, the application is submitted by the parents with legal custody).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. If you submit the application online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one representative when appearing in person. If the parents with legal custody cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to issue the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

• You are not entitled to a residence permit. The Foreigners’ Registration Office has discretion (the freedom to make a judgment) regarding whether to grant family reunification.
• The residence permit entitles you to engage in gainful employment.
• The proceedings at the Foreigners’ Office are generally conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners’ Office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that your application can be processed without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those involved. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification
• Lawsuit before the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal, if the appeal is not granted

Application deadline: 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

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

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 date at the immigration office.

Approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note regarding further information on processing times:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• A recognized and valid form of identification (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• A recent biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Visa, if required for entry
• Proof of family relationship
• Explanation of the exceptional hardship
• Proof of means of support (e.g., from personal assets, deposit of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, letter of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from the health insurance provider or an insurance policy).
• For minors: Consent of all legal guardians to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody cannot submit the application jointly on behalf of their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if custody is held by only one parent, that parent’s signature is sufficient

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require fewer or additional supporting documents.

Fee:

• 100.00 for adult applicants
• 50.00 euros for applicants under the age of 18

Note:

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

The timing and method of fee collection and payment vary depending on the agency.

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

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes