Residence permit for family members of Germans

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

Description

Who can apply for a residence permit?
Citizens of third countries. Third-country nationals are nationals from all countries with the exception of the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Visa procedure

As a rule, you will need a visa to enter Germany. This can be applied for at the German mission abroad(embassy or consulate) in your home country. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino do not require a visa to enter Germany.
EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.

After entering the country

You must first register your place of residence at the Citizens Office. There you will receive a confirmation of registration. This confirmation is often requested by other authorities or institutions as proof that you are registered in Munich.
You can then apply for your residence permit at the Foreigners Office.

Application

Before your visa/residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country. Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Period of validity

The residence permit is usually issued for one year.

The residence permit will be extended upon application if the requirements are met. If the family partnership is terminated, it is generally not possible to extend the residence permit.

Employment opportunities

With the residence permit for family reunification, any gainful employment or self-employment is permitted. This information is stated on the electronic residence permit or the supplementary sheet.

The residence permit for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a family partnership with a German living in Germany is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years and can be extended.

Prerequisites

The main purpose of residence must be to live in a family partnership with a person of German nationality (German spouse or partner, German parent or German unmarried minor child) who has their habitual residence in Germany.

  • Both spouses or same-sex partners must be of legal age. Both spouses or same-sex partners must have reached the age of 18.
  • Basic German language skills. The foreign national must have basic German language skills (A1).
  • The main residence of the partnership must be in Munich

Required documents

  • Fully completed application form
  • Valid passport or passport substitute
  • Biometric passport photo(you will find photo machines at the Foreigners Office)
  • Valid visa for entry for the purpose of family reunification (if required)
  • Current notification from the Sozialbürgerhaus, if you receive benefits according to the Social Security Code II or XII

Further documents (depending on the purpose of residence):

In the case of a marriage/same-sex civil partnership with a person of German nationality

  • Original marriage certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
  • Proof of basic German language skills level A1
  • Personal appearance with partner at the appointment

For a minor, unmarried child of a German national

  • Original birth certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
  • Proof of custody of the child,
  • Personal appearance with the parent for the appointment

for a parent of an unmarried, underage German citizen

  • Original birth certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
  • Child's passport of the German child,
  • Proof of custody of the German child, proof of maintenance payments made in the last 12 months, if applicable

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Duration & Costs

Fees

Adults:up to 100 euros
Children and young people:
up to 50 euros

Turkish nationals authorised to associate pay a maximum of 28.80 euros

Foreign nationalswho support themselveswithbenefitsin accordance with Social Security CodeII or XII ortheAsylum Seekers Benefits Act are exempt from the fees. A current notification from the Job Centre orthe Sozialbürgerhausmust be presented.

Legal basis

§ Section 28 Residence 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

Monday 7.30 a.m. - 12 p.m
Tuesday 8.30 am - 12 noon and 2 pm - 6 pm
Wednesday by appointment only
Thursday 8.30 a.m. - 3 p.m
Friday 7.30 a.m. - 12 noon

Only with appointment

Related services

Spouse reunification from abroad

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

Reunification of children from abroad

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

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.

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.