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Family reunification visa in Germany: Requirements for Americans
Living in Germany can be an incredible experience, but being apart from your loved ones is never easy. The family reunification visa allows close relatives to join you and build a life together legally in Germany.
This guide covers everything Americans need to know, from requirements and application steps to costs and processing times.
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Understanding the family reunification visa in Germany: what is it and why is it useful?
The family reunification visa in Germany allows non-EU citizens with a valid residence permit to bring close relatives to live with them.
Once approved, family members can apply for their own residence permits, often with permission to work, study, and access public services.
For Americans, this visa is particularly useful if you plan to stay in Germany for more than a short assignment. It provides a legal pathway for your family to settle alongside you, creating stability in areas like healthcare, education, and long-term residency.
The most common reasons people apply for the family reunification visa in Germany
Americans apply for this visa for a range of personal and practical reasons:
- To live legally with a spouse or registered partner
- To bring children so they can attend school and benefit from Germany’s education system
- To support dependent parents who rely on them financially
- To work toward long-term settlement, since time under this visa counts toward permanent residency and citizenship
In each case, the family reunification visa ensures relatives can share the same household and access many of the rights and protections available to residents in Germany.
Family reunification visa requirements for Americans
Before applying, Americans must meet Germany’s specific conditions to reunite with their close family.
These requirements cover legal residence, eligible relatives, financial capacity, and living arrangements.
Residence status of the sponsor
The sponsoring family member must hold a valid residence permit that allows long-term stay or be a German citizen.
Americans do not need a visa to enter Germany for short stays, but if they want to bring family members permanently, they must register at the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office) after arrival.
Eligible family members
The visa is limited to close relatives:¹
- A spouse or registered partner
- Children under 18 (adopted children included)
- Parents, but only in rare cases where dependency is proven
Brothers, sisters, and extended family are not covered.
Proof of relationship
Applicants must provide legalized or apostilled documents, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. These must be officially translated into German, if not already in the language.
For Americans, translation costs typically run around $30-75 per page, which should be factored into preparation.²
Language requirements
Spouses usually need to demonstrate basic German language skills (A1 level). This involves passing a certified language test before applying.
Exemptions exist, for example, if the sponsor holds an EU Blue Card or is highly skilled.
Financial stability and housing
Sponsors must prove they can support a family without public assistance. While income requirements vary by local authority, a general benchmark shows a net monthly income of around €1,500 to €2,000 per parent.³
Housing must also be “adequate,” typically meaning at least 12 square meters of space per adult and 10 square meters per child under the age of 6.⁴
If you’re still searching for accommodation, our guide on the renting process in Germany explains how leases and deposits usually work.
Health insurance coverage
Every family member must be insured from the day they arrive. In Germany, this usually means joining the sponsor’s public health insurance plan or taking out private coverage.
Public health insurance contributions average around 14.6% of gross salary, which should be budgeted for when calculating costs.⁵
Meeting these requirements ensures the application is taken seriously before moving on to the formal process of applying for the visa.
Benefits of getting the family reunification visa in Germany
Getting a family reunification visa in Germany does more than just bring your loved ones closer. It also offers legal, social, and financial benefits that make settling into life in Germany easier.
- Living together legally: Spouses, children, and, in some cases, parents can join the sponsor with a secure residence permit.
- Access to healthcare: Germany’s healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in Europe, and reunited family members are covered once registered.
- Education opportunities: Children can attend Germany’s public schools and universities, many of which have little or no tuition costs.
- Right to work: In most cases, reunited spouses receive immediate work authorization to get jobs in Germany, making it easier for families to support themselves.
- Path to permanent residency: Time spent under a family reunification visa counts toward long-term residence and even citizenship
Altogether, these benefits give families both peace of mind and a strong foundation for building a future in Germany.
How to apply for the family reunification visa as an American: step-by-step guide
Applying for a family reunification visa in Germany happens in two stages: the sponsor’s application in Germany and the relative’s application at a German mission in the US.
Here’s what the process looks like.⁶
1. Confirm eligibility
Before starting, make sure both the sponsor and family members meet the basic requirements.
The sponsor must have a valid residence permit in Germany or German citizenship, while relatives must fall into the eligible categories (spouse, registered partner, or children under 18).
2. Gather documents
You’ll need to prepare original documents plus copies. Typical paperwork includes:
- Marriage or birth certificates proving the relationship (legalized or apostilled and translated into German)
- Valid passports with at least 6 months' validity
- Proof of adequate housing and sufficient income from the sponsor
- For spouses: evidence of basic German language skills (A1)
Requirements can vary slightly depending on the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners’ Office), so always check locally.
3. Apply to a German mission in the US
American family members generally apply for the family reunification visa at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, or one of the Consulates General (Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, or Atlanta).
Applications must be submitted in person by appointment.
4. Wait for approval from German authorities
Once the application is submitted, the consulate forwards it to the Ausländerbehörde in the sponsor’s place of residence. Processing typically takes 1–3 months, depending on the workload of local authorities.
5. Receive the visa and travel to Germany
If approved, the family member will receive a national (D visa) to enter Germany. This visa is usually valid for 3–6 months and allows travel to Germany to join the sponsor.
6. Register and apply for a residence permit
After arrival in Germany, the reunited family member must:
- Register their address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt) within 2 weeks.
- Apply for their residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within the validity of the visa. The residence permit will then allow long-term stay, access to services, and, in most cases, the right to work.
Once settled, many families also begin practical steps like setting up utilities or buying a car in Germany to make daily life easier.
Following these steps ensures that family members not only enter Germany legally but also secure their long-term residence status.
Costs for a family reunification visa in Germany
The main costs for a family reunification visa are straightforward:⁷
- Visa application fee: €75 for adults and €37.50 for children under 18
- Residence permit fee: Around €100 per applicant once in Germany
You should also plan for additional expenses, such as document translations, apostilles, or legal certifications, which vary by provider.
Together, these fees and related paperwork usually add up to a few hundred euros per applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a family reunification visa in Germany?
Processing usually takes 3–6 months, depending on the embassy and the Ausländerbehörde’s workload. Applications needing extra verification can take longer.
Can I bring my brother or sister to Germany?
No. The family reunification visa only applies to spouses or partners, children under 18, and, in limited cases, dependent parents. Siblings and extended family are not covered.
Can digital nomads reunify their family in Germany?
Not through the family reunification visa. Instead, family members of digital nomads can apply as dependents under Germany’s residence permit for self-employment or other visa types, which have different requirements.
Applying for a family reunification visa in Germany takes time and preparation, but it ensures your loved ones can join you with the security of legal residence.
A little prep goes a long way. Knowing what’s expected makes the process feel effortless.
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Sources
- Jobbatical – Eligibility
- Learn German Online – How Much Does a Certified Translation into German Cost?
- Feather-Insurance – 2. Income
- Rtpartner – What is… applying for a settlement permit?
- Euraxess – General Information Regarding Health Insurance
- Germany info – General information
- Jobbatical – Comparative Analysis
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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