06/02/04 · Let parents follow suit

parents after
Germany
get.

Parental reunification to Germany is the most difficult family reunification case – no automatism, no simple conditions. It almost only works if the person lives in Germany has a settlement permit and the livelihood of the entire family. If you don't know the hurdles, invest time in an application, who has little chance of success.

§ 36 Legal basis
Rare Success rate
Discretion Authority decision

Clear assessment

Why parental reunification rarely succeeds.

The legal situation is clear – the hurdles are high. You should know this before investing time and money.

Legal basis Section 36 Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act only allows other family members to join Avoiding exceptional hardness. This is not a discretionary clause in favor of the applicant - the hurdle is very high.
What “extraordinary hardship” means The authority must determine that the parent will live in one without reunification existential emergency would be advised - and that there are no other options for support or care in the home country. Mere longing or desire for closeness is not enough.
Minor parents If the person living in Germany minor their parents have a simplified right to join them (§ 36 para. 1 AufenthG). However, this only applies to underage children without another parent in Germany.
Realistic conclusion For most adults with parents in their home country Permanent parental reunification is not realistic. Long-term visas for visits or medical treatment are often a more practical alternative.

Requirements

When parental reunification is even possible

Two scenarios in which parental reunification is legally conceivable. Both are associated with high hurdles. Always seek legal advice first – before documents are compiled or embassy appointments are booked.

01 Requirements

Two paths – both with very high requirements

Scenario 1: Adult in Germany, parents need care

The law allows reunification to avoid exceptional hardship. In practice, this means: The parent is in need of care or support instructed, this care cannot be guaranteed in the home country – neither by the health system nor by other family members, nor through financial resources.

These are cumulative conditions - all of them must be met at the same time. If even one other relative in the home country were able to To support the parents, the “extraordinary hardship” regularly disappears.

What the authority is checking

  • Health status of the parents – medical certificates, level of care, care requirements
  • Lack of care alternatives in the home country – no other relatives, no state care system, no financial opportunity for private care
  • No other way of support – Money transfers from Germany, short visits, care services – has the person living in Germany exhausted these options?
  • Stable status of the person living in Germany – Settlement permit preferred; A temporary residence permit has significantly less prospects
  • Secure livelihood for the entire family – Parents, spouses, children – everything must be able to be financed from their own resources
  • Adequate living space – sufficiently large for all family members including parents (12 sqm/person rule of thumb)

Scenario 2: Minor in Germany without another parent

If the person living in Germany is still a minor and the only one parent is in the home country (no other parent lives in Germany), The parents have a simplified right to join the family in accordance with Section 36 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act. This is the clearer, less restrictive way – but it counts only for minors, not for adults.

No automation, no guarantee. Even if all of the above If the conditions are met, the decision remains one Discretionary decision by the immigration authority. Two comparable cases can be decided differently. Legal advice by a lawyer who specializes in immigration law Application strongly recommended.

documents

What is needed for a parental reunification application

The application for parental reunification is more extensive and more demanding than that of spouses. or child reunification because the exceptional hardship is actively documented and must be proven.

02 documents

Documentation of hardship – the core of the application

Standard documents (as with other reunification procedures)

  • Visa application form – filled out by the parents, if necessary with the help of the child in Germany
  • Parents' passports – valid for at least 12 months
  • Biometric passport photos
  • Parents' birth certificates – with apostille and sworn translation
  • Parents' marriage certificate (if married) – with apostille and translation
  • Residence permit for the person living in Germany – Copy
  • Proof of income – last 3 months, employment contract
  • Proof of accommodation – with enough square meters for everyone

Documents justifying the exceptional hardship

  • Medical certificates and reports – current, in German or with a sworn translation; provide evidence of care needs and diagnoses
  • Nursing report – from a doctor in the home country; ideally with details of the daily care services required
  • Evidence of a lack of alternatives in the home country – Certificates from local care services regarding non-existence or costs; Evidence of other relatives and their inability to provide care
  • Written statement from the other siblings (if any) – why they cannot provide care; notarized
  • Proof that financial support from Germany is not sufficient – Cost estimates for care services in the home country vs. available financial resources
The requirements for documenting exceptional hardship are not standardized by law - each authority can use different ones make requirements. Before compiling the documents at the responsible immigration authority and, if necessary, a lawyer ask which documents are specifically required.

Realistic options

What is possible instead of immigrating

If permanent parental reunification is not realistic, there is other ways to have your parents in Germany for a longer period of time – or to improve the situation in the home country.

01 Short term · Visit

Visit visa – Schengen (90 days)

Parents from non-EU countries can with a Schengen visa up to 90 days within 180 days in Germany stay. Not a permanent stay - but suitable for regular, longer visits. Visas can be applied for at the German embassy.

Work is not permitted with a visit visa. Caregiving as an unpaid activity can be accepted.

02 Medium term · Medical

Medical treatment visa

If parents need medical treatment in the home country is not available, a Medical treatment visa can be applied for – up to 6 months, extendable. Requirement: proof of treatment in Germany, reimbursement of costs, Accommodation.

No substitute for permanent residence. Only valid for the duration of treatment.

03 Long term · Strategic

Set up a settlement permit – then check again

If you don't yet have a settlement permit, you should take this step Prioritize - then the chances of getting one improve Parental reunification application significantly. With a solid status, stable income and sufficient living space a new application is more promising.

It takes several years – but it is the only sustainable strategy for long-term closeness.

Practical tips

What must be clear before an application

Parental reunification is an exception, not a rule. Anyone who tries it anyway should be well prepared – and have realistic expectations.

03 Preparation

Which increases the likelihood of success

Get a lawyer involved – before applying

A lawyer who specializes in immigration law can Realistically assess the chances of the specific case and the application prepare optimally. A poorly prepared application costs money, Time and trust from the authority - and makes a later, better one Application more difficult. It's better to get more advice.

Settlement permit first

If you don't have your settlement permit yet: get this one first go step. With a temporary residence permit Approval of parental reunification is hardly realistic. Priority: strengthening your own legal residence situation.

Complete documentation of hardness

The authority will examine each point critically. Missing documents, contradictory statements or unsubstantiated ones Claims (e.g. "there are no other relatives") are made accelerate the rejection. Every claim has to go through be documented.

Objection and lawsuit are possible

If the application is rejected, within a deadline An objection can be lodged or an action can be filed with the administrative court. In justified cases with good documentation objections and lawsuits can be successful. Here too: legal advice is essential.

Anyone who finds that parental reunification is not realistic This should be communicated early - both with the parents with yourself. Long-term visits and a well-organized one Financial support from Germany can often do more Creating quality of life rather than a year-long, ultimately unsuccessful effort Attempt to follow suit.

Next steps

01 Overview

Family reunification – overview

→ 02 Partner

Spouse reunification

→ 03 Children

Let children follow suit

→ ? Remained open

assess the situation

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Editorial transparency

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.