Last checked against the official source: 29 August 2026
Spouse reunification (Ehegattennachzug) is governed by Section 30 of the German Residence Act. Three conditions carry the case: both spouses must be at least eighteen, the arriving spouse must be able to communicate in German at a basic level, and — the part most articles skip — the spouse already in Germany must hold one of a defined list of residence permits. Simply living in Germany is not enough.
The conditions at a glance
- Legal basis
- Section 30 of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG).
- Age
- Eighteen completed years for both spouses — paragraph 1 provides no exception to this.
- Language
- The arriving spouse must be able to communicate in German “at least in a simple manner”.
- Where it is handled
- The German embassy or consulate in the country of residence (for the visa), then the foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde) inside Germany.
- Note
- These are the conditions of Section 30 alone. The general conditions for residence permits — adequate accommodation and secured subsistence — apply on top.
Which permit the resident spouse must hold
It is not enough for the spouse to be living in Germany. The provision requires one of the following:
- Niederlassungserlaubnis — a settlement permit.
- Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU — an EU long-term residence permit.
- Residence permits under Sections 18d (researchers), 18f, and 25 (humanitarian grounds).
- A residence permit that has existed for two years and is not subject to certain defined restrictions.
- An EU Blue Card, an ICT Card or a Mobile ICT Card.
The language condition: what the text actually says
The statutory wording is that the spouse must be able to communicate in German “at least in a simple manner”. The text does not name level A1. In practice, however, administrative bodies and German missions apply it as the equivalent of A1 on the Common European Framework, and normally ask for a certificate from a recognised institute. Check the requirements of the German mission in your own country — the certificates accepted differ.
Exemptions from the language condition
- Illness or disabilityWhere the language ability cannot be demonstrated because of illness or a physical, mental or psychological disability.
- Manifestly low integration needsWhere the spouse manifestly has a low need for integration.
- Visa-exempt nationalsWhere the spouse is a national of a state whose citizens may enter Germany without a visa for non-short stays.
- Certain skilled and research permitsIn the cases of researcher permits and some specialist-personnel permits.
- Exceptional circumstancesWhere exceptional circumstances make the effort of learning the language impossible or unreasonable.
This page explains Section 30 only. Family reunification has other routes under different provisions: reunification of children, reunification with relatives of refugees, and reunification on humanitarian grounds. General conditions from the same act — adequate accommodation and secured subsistence — apply to all cases as well. Your case may fall under an entirely different provision, so do not rely on this page alone for a decision that concerns your family.
Official source
Please note: this page is general guidance, not legal advice. Residence law is amended frequently and reunification decisions are assessed individually. Consult a lawyer specialising in immigration law before making decisions of this weight.
Frequently asked questions
How long does spouse reunification take?
Section 30 sets no time limit for deciding an application. The actual duration is determined by the German mission in your country and varies with application volumes and appointment availability. Ask the competent mission for its published processing time rather than relying on someone from another country.
Can someone under eighteen apply?
No. Paragraph 1 of Section 30 requires both spouses to have completed their eighteenth year, and no exception to this appears within that paragraph.
Which residence permit must the spouse in Germany hold?
Simply residing in Germany is not enough. The provision requires a settlement permit, an EU long-term residence permit, a permit under Sections 18d, 18f or 25, a permit that has existed for two years, or an EU Blue Card or ICT Card.
Is the language requirement level A1?
The text does not say A1; its wording is that the spouse must be able to communicate in German at least in a simple manner. Missions and administrative bodies apply it in practice as the equivalent of A1 and ask for a certificate from a recognised institute. Check what your mission accepts.
Can the language requirement be waived?
Yes. The law provides exemptions including illness or physical, mental or psychological disability, manifestly low integration needs, nationals of visa-exempt states, certain researcher and specialist permits, and exceptional circumstances that make learning the language unreasonable.
Has family reunification been suspended in Germany?
Section 30, which governs spouse reunification, was in force in the text we checked on the date recorded above. Reports of suspension concern other routes with their own provisions. Ask the mission or a lawyer which provision applies to your specific case.