Family reunification with EU nationals , Date: 2024.03.01, format: Article, area: Migration and residence

Family members of EU nationals can immigrate to Germany as a matter of principle. Other close relatives of EU nationals may also be able to join them under certain conditions.

Spouses or registered partners

Link to the information hotline "working and living in Germany" Source: © Make it in Germany

If your spouse or partner is a Union citizen and this person is living in Germany, you can also move to Germany even if you are not a national of an EU State yourself. If your partner is not working (because they are a student or pensioner, for example), an adequate health insurance cover and an adequate livelihood is required. These resources do not need to originate from the EU national - they may equally be provided by the partner immigrating to Germany, or may originate from another source.

Children

If you are a child of EU nationals living in Germany, you can live in Germany as a matter of principle. A number of provisions must be complied with here:

• If the EU national is gainfully employed in Germany or seeking employment, you can immigrate to Germany to join them without any further preconditions, provided that you are under 21. If you are aged 21 or older, you can immigrate to Germany for the purposes of family reunification if the EU national (or their life partner) provides for your maintenance.
• If the EU national is studying in Germany, you can join them as their child if your subsistence is covered.
• As a child of EU nationals who are not gainfully employed, you can immigrate to Germany to join them if adequate health insurance cover and an adequate livelihood are ensured.

Direct descendants

If you are a grandchild or great-grandchild of EU nationals, or of their spouse or partner, you can move to Germany as a matter of principle subject to the following conditions:

• The EU national is not resident in Germany for the purpose of studying.
• Provided that you are under 21, you can immigrate to Germany to join them without needing to meet any further preconditions. If you are aged 21 or older, you can immigrate to Germany if the EU national (or their life partner) can provide for your maintenance.

Direct ancestors

If you are a parent or grandparent of an EU national or their partner, you can immigrate to Germany to join them if they provide for your maintenance.

Close relatives

You are deemed to be a close relative if you are a family member, foster child or non-married partner of an EU national.

You may also be granted a right of residence under certain circumstances. The following requirements must be met in all such cases:

• The EU national who is your close relative (or his or her partner) provides you with maintenance in the long term (at least two years as a rule) and not just temporarily, or
  you have lived together in the household of the EU national for at least two years prior to moving to Germany, or you are not just temporarily dependent on the personal long-term care of the EU national for serious health reasons.
• You can move to Germany as a foster child if the EU national will be living with you in Germany as part of a family, and you are dependent on him or her.
• You can move to Germany if you are a partner who will be living with the EU national on a non-temporary basis.

The residence card and the permanent right of residence

If you are a family member of EU nationals, you will receive a residence card. This certifies your right of residence. The residence card will be issued to you within six months after you have provided the necessary information to the relevant immigration authority.

If you have been living lawfully with the EU national in Germany for an uninterrupted five-year period, you have an indefinite (permanent) right of residence. You will be issued with a permanent right of residence within six months of your application.