Germany Family Reunion Visa Application and After 2026

#What is a Family Reunion Visa for Germany? Who Can Apply?

The family reunion visa is a type of visa that allows a person legally residing in Germany to bring their spouse and/or minor children from Turkey to Germany. This visa may vary depending on the status of the family member (reference person) in Germany. In general, individuals with one of the following statuses in Germany can apply for family reunion:

• German Citizens: The process is generally easier for spouses or parents who are German citizens.
• EU/EEA Citizens: Citizens of other EU/EEA countries living in Germany can also apply for family reunion.
• Blue Card Holders: The family reunion process is advantageous for EU Blue Card holders.
• Workers and Skilled Labor: Skilled workers employed in Germany with a residence permit.
• Students: Students pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Germany can also bring their spouses and children if they meet certain conditions. This group is one of the main focuses of our article.
• Researchers and Scientists: Individuals conducting research or scientific work in Germany.

Although different documents and conditions are required for each situation, the basic principle is that the reference person in Germany must have a legal residence permit and be able to support their family.

#What to Do After Arriving in Germany

After receiving your visa and arriving in Germany with your family, there are some important procedures you need to complete.

#1. Anmeldung (Registration of Residence)

After arriving in Germany, it is mandatory to register your residence (Anmeldung) at the Bürgeramt (Citizens' Office) or Einwohnermeldeamt (Residents' Registration Office) of your city of residence within 14 days. Your rental agreement and passports are required for this process. Situations such as "the foreign police called my spouse and asked them to bring the rental agreement and passport," which sometimes come from the community, may be part of the Anmeldung process or subsequent checks. This is a routine procedure carried out to verify your residence and the conditions for family reunion.

#2. Residence Permit Application (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)

Your visa is usually a short-term (3-6 month) entry visa. After arriving in Germany, you must apply for a long-term residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) in your city of residence. Similar documents (passport, visa, rental agreement, proof of financial means, health insurance, biometric photo) are required for this application. Don't forget to make an appointment, as Foreigners' Offices are usually very busy.

#3. School/Kindergarten Registration for Children

If your children are above a certain age (school is generally compulsory from age 6), you must register them at schools in your residential area. For younger children, you can research kindergarten (Kita) options. The school system in Germany may vary by Bundesland.

#4. Health Insurance Arrangements

Ensure that your spouse and children have valid health insurance in Germany. If you arrived from Turkey with an AT11 form, consider options for transitioning to statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) in Germany or taking out private insurance. It is important to renew your AT11 insurance or switch to new insurance before it expires. You need to find out from the relevant SGK unit in Turkey what documents are required for your family to obtain AT11 on your behalf and which postal service they can use to send them.

#After Family Reunion

Once your spouse/children have arrived in Germany:

• Anmeldung Guide — Address registration for family members also within 14 days.
• Cost of Living — Household budget for 3 people (Sperrkonto 2.976€/month = family is not the only expense).
• City Guides — Choose a city based on the density of schools, kindergartens, and health centers.

#Conclusion

The process of bringing your spouse and children to Germany as a student is a manageable journey with accurate information and thorough preparation. Meeting basic requirements such as A1 language proficiency, sufficient financial means, and suitable accommodation is key to this process. At ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni), we aim to clarify your questions with this guide and enable you to make your family reunion visa application for Germany more informed. Remember, every individual situation can vary; therefore, it is always important to obtain the most current and definitive information from the website of the relevant German Consulate/Embassy or the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde). We wish you all the best as you embark on your new life in Germany with your family!

Don't forget to follow our ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni) website and social media accounts for more information and current announcements. We are always by your side on your education and life journey in Germany!