Germany Family Visa Requirements

Reuniting with your family in Germany is a big dream. It needs careful steps through the law. From January 15, 2026, the process changed a lot with digital tools. Old waiting lists are going away. Now, people use the Consular Services Portal. This makes things faster, but you need to be good with computers and details.

This guide is for 2026. It helps if you have an EU Blue Card or other residence permit. It explains family reunification, or Familienzusammenführung in German. We use simple words so everyone can understand.

Core Eligibility: Who Qualifies as a “Member of the Family Unit”?

Germany focuses on the nuclear family for reunification. This means close family only.

• Spouses or Registered Partners — Both people must be at least 18 years old. Marriage must be real and legal.
• Minor Unmarried Children — Children under 18 can join their parents. They must be unmarried.

The person in Germany is called the reference person or sponsor. They need a valid residence title, like Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) or Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit).

2026 Update Spouses who come to Germany can get their own independent right to stay after about 3 years. This gives more safety and freedom to the new family member. It helps if things change in the future.

Many people qualify under these rules. For example, if the sponsor works in a skilled job, it is easier. Rules can differ if the sponsor is a German citizen, EU citizen, or third-country national with a permit.

The New 2026 Digital Application Process

In early 2026, the German Federal Foreign Office started using the Consular Services Portal (also called Auslandsportal) for family reunion visa applications. This is a big change. It replaces old paper ways and long waits.

Step-by-Step Digital Lodgement

1. Online Setup — Create an account on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de). It is easy. You need an email and basic info.
2. Digital Upload — Fill the Videx form online. Upload clear scans of all documents for preliminary review.
3. Preliminary Review — German officials look at your files online. If something is missing or wrong, they tell you through the portal. You can fix it fast without going to the embassy yet.
4. In-Person Appointment — After approval in the review, book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate. Go there only for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and to show original papers.

This new way saves time. Many embassies now use it fully in 2026. For places like Pakistan, it started from January 15, 2026. Check your local German mission to see if it applies to you. The portal helps avoid common mistakes if you follow instructions carefully.

Financial & Housing Requirements: Meeting the Threshold

The authorities must be sure your family will not need public money (like Sozialleistungen or citizen’s allowance). The sponsor must show enough money and space.

2026 Income & Space Benchmarks

• Net Income Threshold (Nettogehalt) — For a couple, the sponsor often needs about €2,050 net per month. This is a common guide. It comes from living costs like rent and food. The amount goes up with each child. There is no fixed national number, but local offices check case by case. For skilled workers or Blue Card holders, rules are more flexible.
• Adequate Living Space (Ausreichender Wohnraum) — General rule: 12 square meters per person over 6 years old, and 10 square meters for small children. A couple usually needs at least 60 square meters. For Blue Card holders and some skilled workers (after March 2024 rules), proof of space may not be needed for spouse and minor children.
• Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — Get a paper from your landlord saying the apartment size and who lives there. Also, show your Meldebescheinigung (registration at address). It should not be older than 6 months.

You prove this with job contract, salary slips (last 3-6 months), and bank statements if needed. The goal is to show you can pay for rent, food, insurance, and daily life without help from the state.

Language Requirements and Key Exemptions

Most spouses need to show A1 German level. This is basic German, like Start Deutsch 1 certificate from Goethe-Institut or similar.

But in 2026, there are many shortcuts for skilled people.

You are EXEMPT from A1 if:

• The sponsor has an EU Blue Card, ICT Card, or is a researcher.
• The sponsor is a highly skilled worker under the Skilled Immigration Act.
• The joining spouse has a university degree and good chance to integrate fast.
• The family member is a minor child (under 16 usually needs nothing; 16-17 may depend on case).

For children, no language proof is needed. For some cases with German citizens or special jobs, language is waived too. This helps families of professionals come faster.

Essential Document Checklist for 2026

Prepare all papers carefully. Foreign documents like marriage or birth certificates need Hague Apostille or legalization.

Here is the main list:

• Valid passports for everyone — at least two blank pages left.
• Proof of relationship — Marriage certificate (computerized, like from NADRA in Pakistan) or birth certificate for children. Get them apostilled.
• Health insurance — Incoming travel insurance for first 90 days. Then, family co-insurance (Familienversicherung) after registration in Germany.
• Sponsor’s documents — Copy of residence permit, job contract, last 3-6 salary slips, and proof of address.
• Application form — Filled Videx form, signed.
• Photos — Biometric passport photos.
• Other — Sometimes proof of no criminal record or more.

Upload high-quality scans. Blurry papers can cause delays. Translations may be needed if not in German or English.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Take the Next Step Toward Your Reunion

The 2026 digital changes help make family reunion easier and quicker. But you must be exact. One small mistake, like a bad scan or missing translation, can add weeks or months to wait. Always check official sites like the German Federal Foreign Office, Make it in Germany portal, or your local embassy for latest info. Rules can change a little by country or case.

This guide has over 900 words to explain everything simply. Would you like me to make a special checklist for your case, like if the sponsor has an EU Blue Card?

This video shows a real step-by-step of the 2026 digital process. It helps avoid common errors on the portal.

Disclaimer: This is only for information and learning. Please check with official German sources before you apply or decide.