Citizens of Third Countries
Residence and subsequent immigration of dependants
Spouses and under-age children of third country citizens who have a residence permit to enable them to reside in Germany can apply to a German embassy abroad for the subsequent immigration of their family.
Subsequent immigration of spouses and partners
The subsequent immigration of spouses has certain conditions in Germany. A third party citizen living in Germany must
- have a a residence title,
- have adequate housing available,
- generally be able to ensure that they have shared means of subsistence including health insurance cover.
Both spouses must also be at least 18 years of age and the spouse immigrating subsequently must generally prove a basic knowledge of German (language certificate A1). There must also be no reasons for deportation. The duration of stay must be more than one year.
These rules also apply to same-sex partnerships.
Subsequent immigration of children
Under-age, unmarried children of foreign nationals have a fundamental right to subsequently immigrate to Germany with their parents. Children under 16 years of age are privileged; they only require legal guardianship and a residence or settlement permit. They must have adequate housing available and the means of subsistence including health insurance cover.
Additional conditions for subsequent children between the age of 16 and 18:
- Entry as a family group with parents
- Command of the German language (level B2) or evidence of a positive integration prognosis (e.g. due to German ancestry or through sttending a German school) or
- evicence of a case of special hardship
Subsequent immigration of other family members
Other family members are considered dependants who are not children, spouses or registered civil partners. Such as grown-up children and grandparents. They can only apply for subsequent immigration if "exceptional hardship" would otherwise occur. This would be the case, for example, if the family member living in Germany or abroad requires illness- or age-related assistance and no proof of this can be shown in the local country.
