Germany is becoming one of the best places in the world for qualified workers to move to. Every year, thousands of foreign workers come to Germany because it has a robust economy, a good standard of living, and a growing need for engineers, IT specialists, healthcare workers, and technicians. But for a lot of people who are thinking about moving, one issue sticks out: Can I bring my family with me?
As a foreign worker in Germany, this article tells you what your rights are when it comes to bringing your family together, who can come with you, and how to make the process go smoothly.
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Who Can Get a Work Permit in Germany?
Non-EU citizens can get a work permit in Germany in a number of ways. To get one, you usually need:
- A real job offer or contract of employment
- Recognized qualifications in Germany
- Proof of enough money and health insurance
Here are the most typical permits:
- The EU Blue Card is for highly skilled individuals who make at least €43,800 a year (less for jobs that are in short supply).
- General Employment Visa: For professionals who have employment offers in qualified positions.
- The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Card is for workers of multinational businesses who have been moved to German operations.
The family reunification law lets you bring some family members with you once you get your residence and employment visa.
Is it possible to bring family with you on a work permit in Germany?
Yes. Under German immigration law, foreign workers can bring their close family members to reside with them. This includes:
- Husbands and wives
- Kids under 18 years old
On some occasions, additional dependent family members, such as elderly parents, may also be able to apply. However, these cases are more complicated and are looked at one by one.
The formal name for the process is “family reunification” (Familiennachzug), and its goal is to help families stay together and make it easier for them to fit in.
What You Need to Know About a Spouse Visa
Your spouse can apply for a residence visa to join you in Germany if you are legally married. Here are the most important conditions:
Requirements for eligibility:
- A marriage certificate showing that you are legally married
- Your residency permit must be valid and allow you to bring your family together.
- You need to have enough money and room to live.
Work Rights:
- Your spouse will be able to work in Germany as soon as they get there, without obtaining a separate work permit. This is true whether you have an EU Blue Card or a General Employment Visa.
Language Requirements:
The spouse usually has to know some basic German (A1 level). But this requirement doesn’t apply if:
- You hold a Blue Card from the EU.
- You are a very skilled worker or researcher.
- You are a citizen of the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, or Israel.
Rules and conditions for bringing kids
Children under 18 can also come to Germany with you as long as
- Both parents (or the only parent with custody) are in Germany.
- You can provide them with enough money and a place to live.
- They are in school or a daycare facility, depending on their age.
Kids don’t have to speak German before they get there, but they normally take integration programs to help them learn the language and become used to school.
Like German kids, kids who move to Germany can go to school for free, get health care, and get other social benefits.
How to Apply for Family Reunification
Follow these steps to help your family apply for reunification:
Get the papers you need ready
Every member of the family needs:
- A valid passport
- Form for applying for a visa
- Picture of your biometrics
- Marriage or birth records
- Proof that you are related to the main visa holder
- You need to show proof of your salary and residence permit.
- German language certificate (if needed)
Go to the German Embassy or Consulate to apply
- Your spouse and/or kids must apply for their visas from outside of Germany, usually from their home country.
Wait for the processing to finish.
- It normally takes 6 to 12 weeks to process a family reunification visa, although this can change depending on the embassy and the circumstances.
Get to Germany and sign up
Your family must do the following once the visa is approved:
- Get into Germany while your visa is still good.
- Register their address with the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
- Go to the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) to get a residency permit.
Living in Germany as a Family
Once your family gets their residence permits and arrives, they have the right to:
- Get health care from the government through your insurance plan or their own.
- Sign up for public schools and daycare centers
- Take part in integration courses, which teach you about language and culture.
Your partner can start working right away, and your kids can go to school for free and get advantages like subsidized daycare, parental leave, and child benefits (Kindergeld).
Most residence permits for family members are only good as long as the main applicant’s permission is still valid. If you renew your own permit, you can typically get yours extended as well.
Main Problems and Frequent Delays
The procedure is meant to help families, but it can be hard in a number of ways:
- It can take a long time to translate and legalize documents.
- Even for basic A1 German, you often need a language certificate.
- Waiting periods may be longer if you have to wait for an appointment at an embassy or consulate.
- Housing requirements: You have to demonstrate documentation of a place to live that is right for you.
It’s very important to get all the paperwork ready ahead of time, make sure you meet all the embassy’s standards, and retain copies of everything. A lot of the time, delays happen because of missing or wrong documents.
Things to Do to Make the Transition Go Smoothly
Here are some recommendations to help make the process of bringing the family back together easier:
Get Started Early
- As soon as you get your own work permit, start gathering paperwork and making appointments with the embassy.
If you need help, get it from a professional.
- If you are self-employed or need documents translated, immigration lawyers or relocation companies can aid with complicated circumstances.
Know how to fit in with other cultures
- To help your husband and kids settle more quickly, encourage them to take integration classes and get involved in local events.
Plan for Health Coverage
- Make sure your family has health insurance, whether it’s public or private, from the start.
Get involved in expat groups and forums.
- Online organizations for expats in a certain city, as well as parent groups, can give you good advice about topics like schools, healthcare, and everyday life.
Conclusion
You can bring your family with you while you work in Germany. In most situations, they will be able to live, work, and study just like you. Germany cares about families staying together and has made it easy for foreign workers to bring their spouses and children back together. The process needs a lot of planning and paperwork, but the emotional, social, and financial benefits are well worth it.
If you want to work in Germany, don’t wait until after you are there to consider your family. Know your rights, start the process of reuniting with your family early, and give them the chance to prosper with you in one of Europe’s most exciting countries.
