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.
Legal basis
§ Section 28 Residence Act
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten
Phone
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