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Summary: if you have legal residence in Germany, you can usually bring your spouse and children under 18 to Germany through family reunification (Familiennachzug). The main requirements: a valid residence title, sufficient income, adequate housing, an officially registered marriage and, in many cases, German at level A1 for the spouse. Spouses of Blue Card holders and of some skilled workers are exempt from the language requirement.
Who can join you in Germany?
- Spouse or registered partner: both parties must be at least 18 and the marriage must be registered and certified in Iran.
- Unmarried children under 18: for children over 16 who are not coming with their parents, a language or integration requirement may apply.
- Parents: generally very limited; however, skilled workers who received their first work residence from March 2024 can bring their parents if their living costs and insurance are fully covered.
- Other relatives: only in cases of “exceptional hardship” (außergewöhnliche Härte).
Main requirements
1. Residence status of the person living in Germany
Work residence, Blue Card, permanent residence, citizenship or recognised asylum. Students can also bring family under certain conditions.
2. Securing your livelihood (Lebensunterhalt)
Your net income must be sufficient for the whole family (after rent), and the family must not need Bürgergeld. The exact amount is calculated by the number of family members and the rent. For recognised refugees who apply within three months, this requirement usually does not apply.
3. Adequate housing (ausreichender Wohnraum)
The usual standard is about 12 square metres per person over 6 and 10 square metres for children under 6, but it varies by state. See the guide Renting a home in Germany.
4. German A1 for the spouse
The spouse must present an A1 certificate (for example Goethe “Start Deutsch 1”) before entry. Exemptions: spouses of Blue Card holders, ICT card holders, researchers and many skilled workers, people with a university degree, and cases where learning the language is impossible because of illness or special circumstances.
5. Health insurance
All members must be insured. In statutory insurance, a spouse and children without income are usually covered free of charge under family insurance (Familienversicherung). Details in the health insurance guide.
Documents required for the family reunification visa
- National visa application form and a valid passport
- Biometric photo
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates with an official translation and the required certifications
- A1 language certificate (if required)
- Copy of the passport and residence card of the spouse living in Germany
- Employment contract and payslips for the last three months
- Rental contract and floor area of the home
- For children: consent of the other parent in case of separation, or a custody ruling
The application process
- Book an appointment at the responsible German embassy or mission (before proceeding, check the visa service situation on the embassy’s official website)
- Submit the file; the embassy forwards it for approval to the Foreigners’ Authority (Ausländerbehörde) of your city in Germany
- Processing usually takes a few weeks to a few months
- Enter Germany, do the Anmeldung and receive the residence card
Note: for family reunification with skilled workers, the employer or you yourself can submit the family’s application at the same time using the “accelerated skilled worker procedure” (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren).
The spouse’s right to work
A spouse who enters Germany through family reunification usually has unrestricted permission to work.
Frequently asked questions
Does my spouse need a language certificate to come to Germany?
In most cases an A1 certificate is required, but spouses of Blue Card holders and many skilled workers are exempt.
How much income is needed for family reunification?
There is no fixed figure; your net income after rent must be sufficient for the basic needs of all family members. The Foreigners’ Authority does the exact calculation.
Can I bring my parents to Germany?
Generally very difficult. Skilled workers who received work residence from March 2024 can do so if their costs are fully covered; otherwise a tourist visa is the usual option.
How long does the family reunification process take?
From booking the embassy appointment to issuing the visa it can take several months; the appointment waiting time varies greatly depending on the embassy.
To find a Persian-speaking immigration lawyer, see the directory of Iranian businesses.
This article is not legal advice. Last updated: September 2026.
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