As the spouse or partner of a German citizen, you can have your residence permit for family reunification extended if you wish to continue living with your partner in Germany.

To extend your residence permit, you must meet the same requirements and submit the same documents as when you first applied for a residence permit.

If your residence permit is extended, it will continue to entitle you to pursue gainful employment.

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial granting of the residence permit. This means:

• The validity period of your current residence permit will expire in the near future.
• You wish to continue your stay in Germany with your German spouse or partner.
• Your marriage or civil partnership with the German citizen is still valid.
  Please note : The marriage is no longer valid if it has been divorced, annulled, or declared invalid by an unappealable decision of a competent authority.
• Your German spouse or partner continues to have their habitual residence in Germany (i.e., their center of life is not only temporarily in Germany).
• You continue to live with your spouse or partner in a family relationship (for example, in a shared apartment). If you do not live together in a shared apartment, a family relationship may be assumed if you maintain regular contact with each other that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can communicate in German at least at a basic level (level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This requirement may be waived if German courses are not offered in your country of origin, are too expensive, or you are unable to attend them for other reasons.
  Please note : under certain circumstances, the immigration office may require you to attend an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit. 
• There is no interest in expelling you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The immigration office will order the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the relevant office. The eAT card must always be picked up in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• As a rule, proof of sufficient funds is not required for family reunification with German citizens.
• A residence permit is excluded if the marriage or civil partnership
  • was forced or
  • was entered into solely for the purpose of joining the family in Germany.
• If polygamy is permitted in the country of origin, only the spouse or civil partner from the first marriage is eligible for family reunification.
• After holding a residence permit for three years for the family reunification of a foreign spouse with a German citizen, an application for a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) can be made under simplified conditions (see information on "Settlement permit issued to family members of German citizens who have joined them").
• The procedure at the immigration office is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration office can result in the withdrawal of already granted residence rights, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court specified in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Application deadline: 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The extension of the residence permit must be applied for before the current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the immigration office at least six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

Period of validity:

In the event of an extension, the residence permit will be issued for at least one year.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

It takes approximately 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.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• If you are required to attend an integration course: Proof that you have completed an integration course or have otherwise integrated into social life. If no integration course has been completed yet, the immigration office may refuse to extend the residence permit or may only extend it for one year until the course has been successfully completed or proof has been provided that integration into social life has been achieved in another way.

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

You may have to submit further proof of the continuation of your marriage or civil partnership (e.g., marriage certificate) to the immigration office.

• 96.00 euros for an additional stay of up to three months
• 93.00 euros for a further stay of more than three months

Note:

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

The timing and 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 to Turkish nationals.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes