Family reunification with EU citizens and nationals from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein

You come from a so-called third country and want to move in with a family member who comes from an EU country or Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Description

Visa procedure:
Before you can travel to Germany as a foreign spouse/registered partner or child, you need a visa for family reunification. You can apply for this at the German mission abroad (embassy or consulate) in your home country. As soon as we have received the visa application from the responsible diplomatic mission abroad, you must submit further documents to us, depending on the reason for family reunification.

Prerequisites

  1. Registering your place of residence:
    When you arrive in Munich, you must register your place of residence within one week at the Kreisverwaltungsreferat Citizens Office. There you will receive a confirmation of registration. This confirmation is often required by other authorities or institutions as proof that you are registered in Munich. You can find more information on this on the Internet at www.buergerbuero-muenchen.de.
  2. Residence card:
    After entering the country, you will receive a residence card from the Foreigners Office.
  3. Working:
    Family members of EU nationals generally do not need a work permit.
  4. Permanent right of residence:
    If you have been living here legally without interruption, you have the right to stay in Germany permanently after five years. You can apply for a permanent residence card for this purpose.

Required documents

For the residence card:

  • fully completed application form
  • valid passport or identity card
  • Biometric passport photo (photo booths are available at the Foreigners Office).
  • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
  • Birth certificate of your children (if necessary with apostille or legalisation endorsement) If no international/multilingual document is available: German, certified translation by a translator sworn in Germany.

Spouse is an employee

  • Confirmation from employer about type and duration of current employment

Spouse is self-employed / freelance

  • Proof of profit after tax (last income tax assessment notice, current profit and loss account from tax consultant) or
  • Business registration (if required under trade law)

Please note:

Further documents may be required in individual cases (e.g. if maintenance is granted).

Permanent residence card

Documents required:

  • Fully completed application form
  • Valid passport or identity card
  • Biometric passport photo (you will find photo machines at the Foreigners Office)

Please note

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Duration & Costs

Fees

22.80 euros (residence card or permanent residence card up to the age of 24)
28.80 euros (residence card or permanent residence card after the age of 24)

Questions & Answers

You lose the right to stay here permanently if you leave Germany for more than two years. Please check with the Foreigners Office before you move abroad for a longer period of time.

Legal basis

EU Freedom of Movement Act

Landeshauptstadt München

Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten

Postal address

Landeshauptstadt München
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Address

Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München

Lagehinweis: Eingang A
Room: Servicepoint, Bereich 31, 3. Stock

Only with appointment

Related services

Reunification of children from abroad

Germans or foreigners who have a residence permit can have their foreign, underage and unmarried children join them.

Spouse reunification from abroad

If you have a residence permit for Germany, you can usually allow your foreign spouse/registered partner to join you

Residence permit for family members of Germans

Foreign family members of Germans receive a residence permit for family reunification.

Settlement permit for family members of Germans

Under certain conditions, family members of Germans can apply for a settlement permit after three years of residence.