The basic rule: who is allowed to join at all?
Spouses and minor children can, under certain conditions, join a family member who already lives legally in Germany. This is regulated in sections 27 ff. of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The specific requirements depend heavily on the residence status of the person living in Germany.
The most important change: suspension for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
Since 24 July 2025, family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection has generally been suspended for two years (until 23 July 2027). During this period, no new applications are accepted and no waiting lists are kept. Exceptions continue to apply for genuine hardship cases under sections 22 and 23 AufenthG, as well as for people who had already received an appointment notice before the suspension.
Important for our clients: this suspension applies exclusively to beneficiaries of subsidiary protection – not to recognized refugees, skilled workers, EU Blue Card holders, or holders of a residence permit for employment.
Relief since March 2024: parental reunification for skilled workers
An improvement relevant to many of our clients: skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders whose first German residence permit was issued on or after 1 March 2024 can bring their parents and parents-in-law to Germany under section 36(3) AufenthG – without the previous strict hardship review.
Requirements at a glance
- Sufficient living space (rule of thumb: approx. 12 m² per person)
- Secured livelihood without state assistance
- Usually basic German language skills (level A1) for the joining person before entry
- For recognized refugees: significant relief if the application is filed within three months of recognition
How long does the procedure currently take?
Processing times vary greatly depending on the responsible diplomatic mission – from a few weeks to several months. After the national visa is issued, a residence permit must be applied for at the local immigration office within the 90-day validity period.
Our advice
The legal situation regarding family reunification is currently changing frequently, and generic statements found online rarely fit one's own case exactly. Whether family reunification is possible for you, which evidence you need, and how long it will realistically take can only be assessed based on your specific situation – we are happy to review this together with you.