Regarding foreign spouses

If you have a spouse who is not a German citizen or a citizen of a member state of the European Union, you can apply for a residence permit for family reunification. Your spouse must have a residence permit or settlement permit.

The residence permit for the purpose of family reunification will subsequently be granted to you for familial cohabitation with your spouse, i.e. in order to continue your marital partnership.

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for or extend your residence permit for the purpose of family reunification with your foreign spouse, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Employment contracts for you and your spouse
• Current salary statements for you and your spouse
• Tenancy agreement (proof of the current rental amount paid as applicable)
• Proof of health insurance
• Marriage certificate
• Proof of A1 German language skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Fee: up to € 100.00

Please also bring your spouse with you to your personal interview.

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity

The residence permit for family reunification with your spouse can only be issued for a period matching the validity of your spouse’s residence permit. This applies to the issue and extension of the residence permit. If your spouse’s residence permit still has sufficient validity, or if your spouse already has a permanent certificate of residential status, the residence permit is usually issued and extended for two years.

Paid employment

Pursuing paid employment is permitted if you have been issued a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification. This means that you can take up employment or become self-employed.

Settling down

If you have stayed in Germany for five years for the purpose of family reunification and also have a residence permit for this period, you can apply for a settlement permit (permanent residence permit). You can find further information on the page about the settlement permit.