Spouse reunification is the most common case of family reunification and at the same time the most frequently misjudged. The A1 language requirement Many people are surprised – just like the long waiting times at some embassies. Anyone who does not complete the A1 certificate on time will delay immigration by months. If you apply too early, you risk being rejected.
Requirements
Spouse reunification according to Section 30 of the Residence Act requires several conditions, the all at the same time must be fulfilled. No exceptions for living space, no exceptions for living expenses – and in most cases there is no exception for the A1 certificate.
Five mandatory conditions – all must be fulfilled at the same time
The person living in Germany must have a residence permit that: Spousal reunification permitted. For skilled workers with a residence permit This is employment (§ 18a/b) and people with a settlement permit the case. Restricted conditions apply to students. Anyone who only has a temporary study visa and does not yet have a stable one Proof of income will be difficult.
The spouse who follows must communicate in German in a simple manner be able to communicate – level A1 according to GER. The certificate must be presented to the embassy. Goethe-Institut A1, telc A1 or ÖSD A1 are accepted. Complete the A1 course and the exam in your home country – before requesting the embassy appointment.
The apartment in Germany must be sufficiently large. The immigration authorities follow the rule of thumb approx. 12 square meters of living space per person. So a married couple needs at least a 24 sqm apartment – in practice significantly more, since the kitchen and bathroom are also taken into account.
The person living in Germany must prove that they have a livelihood is secured for the entire family without using public resources. Relevant: current salary, rent costs, health insurance. Citizens' benefits or similar social benefits close this Spousal reunification is generally excluded.
The marriage must be legally valid at the time of the application. Both spouses must be at least 18 years old. For marriages that took place abroad, the embassy can demand recognition of the marriage under German law. Civil marriage or church register entry with apostille.
documents
The documents come from two sides: The person living in Germany must provide certain documents. The trailing spouse submit the application to the embassy. Incomplete documentation will result in delays or rejection.
Complete list – both sides must deliver
| document | When requested |
|---|---|
| Proof of divorce/death of previous spouses | If there was a previous marriage – divorce decree with apostille or death certificate |
| Birth certificates of common children | If children come along or family ties need to be proven |
| Letter of motivation/declaration of marriage | Some embassies require explanations about how they got to know each other and the history of the relationship |
| Photos of the marriage or joint documents | If a marriage of convenience is suspected – additional proof of the real relationship |
| Proof of shared residence | Chat histories, passports, bookings – for long-distance relationships |
Embassy · Waiting times 2025
The most common time lost when spouses join is not the A1 certificate – it is the embassy appointment. In many countries, applicants are waiting Months to an appointment. Book the appointment as soon as the plan is set.
12-24 weeks
India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka – extremely high demand, especially for spouse visas
Book an appointment immediately. Start the A1 course at the same time. Check all locations - sometimes significant differences.
8-20 weeks
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya – very high demand; Spouse visas a common visa type
Book early. Complete documents while waiting. Don’t cancel an appointment – rebooking can take months.
6-14 weeks
Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Syria (Beirut route), Jordan, Lebanon – very different regionally
Turkish citizens: no A1 check for university degree. Book an appointment online and confirm immediately.
6-16 weeks
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Senegal – few embassy locations, sometimes high demand
Check whether it is possible to apply at another embassy in the region. Clarify apostille requirements early.
2-6 weeks
Ukraine, Georgia, Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia – tend to have shorter waiting times
Here too: book early. Be aware of seasonal fluctuations – summer is the high season.
4-10 weeks
Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Korea – very different depending on the embassy location
Check online appointments daily – cancellations will be made at short notice. Compare multiple city locations.
After entry
The visa is not the residence permit – it is the entry permit. The actual residence permit must be obtained after entry The immigration authority must be applied for. Book an appointment as early as possible – before entry, if possible.
First 14 days – what is mandatory and what makes sense
Residential registration at the municipality's residents' registration office - mandatory within 14 days after moving in. What to bring: ID card/passport, Accommodation confirmation from the landlord (mandatory document). Without registration, no tax ID, no bank account, no health insurance.
The spouse visa is usually valid for 3-6 months. Before it expires, the residence permit for family reunification must be applied for must be applied for at the immigration authority. Not after expiry - then there is a risk of being tolerated or obliged to leave the country. Book an appointment as early as possible as waiting times can be 6-12 weeks.
Spouses who come to Germany can do so through their partner who works in Germany in statutory health insurance (GKV) free family insurance - if the partner is a GKV member and the spouse is not one Has income above the limit of approximately €505 per month. Register immediately with your partner's health insurance company.
Spouses who have followed suit generally have the right to work in Germany – regardless of profession and educational qualifications. Labor law applies from the start as soon as you receive your residence permit was granted for family reunification. In special cases, restrictions may be printed on the residence permit – always check.
Spouses from non-EU countries who have followed suit are entitled to this State-funded integration course (A1–B1, 700 hours). It is mandatory for certain residence permits. Register the course as early as possible - waiting lists with course providers can be several months.
Typical mistakes
Only start the A1 course after the embassy appointment
The A1 course lasts 2-4 months and you then have to pass the exam. If you only start the course after the embassy appointment has already arrived, you will delay your arrival by months. Start the A1 course as soon as it is clear that you are planning to move there - parallel to stabilizing your own status.
Living space too small when applying
Many people underestimate the housing requirements. A shared room or a 30 sqm apartment is not enough for a married couple – even if it would be cheaper. Before submitting the application, find a larger apartment or prove that your current apartment is sufficient. Obtain the floor plan or sqm confirmation from the landlord.
Apply for immigration before your own status is stable
Anyone who does not yet have sufficient income in Germany or has a fixed-term contract with a term of just a few months will not be approved for reunification. Realistically calculate the livelihood of the entire family - and only apply for it when it can be verified with certainty.
Marriage certificate without apostille or translation
A simple copy of the marriage certificate is not enough. The document needs an apostille (certification according to the Hague Convention) and a sworn translation into German. Depending on the country of origin, the apostille can take weeks. Apply early.
Foreigners registration appointment booked too late
The visa expires after 3-6 months. Anyone who only seeks an appointment at the immigration authorities after entering the country will find out: Waiting times of 6-12 weeks. Book an appointment before or immediately after entry. If there is a fictitious certificate from the office, the stay is considered tolerated - but you still don't waste any time.
Next steps
You know the requirements for spouse reunification.
Let us clarify whether your situation meets all the conditions.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
As of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.