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Obtain a Spouse Visa for Germany

Obtain a Spouse Visa for Germany


Foreign citizens who have settled in Germany can bring family members with or without family reunion visas based on their countries of origin. Since most immigrants are interested if they can apply for a marriage visa for Germany, it is worth noting that there is no specific type of permit for one’s life partner.

Below, our immigration lawyers explain the procedure to obtain a spouse visa for Germany based on nationality. Feel free to address our specialists if you want to bring your spouse, civil partner or other family members to join you here.

EU citizens and the German residence permit for spouse

If you are an EU citizen and want to know if you need to obtain a spouse visa for Germany to bring your life partner, you must know that you don’t need to do that. Your wife or husband can join you without applying for a visa if he or she intends to stay here for a brief period. However, should he or she decide to remain, applying for a residence permit is mandatory.

Do not hesitate to enquire with our immigration lawyers in Germany about the spouse visa requirements.

Non-EU citizens seeking to obtain a spouse visa for Germany

As a non-EU citizen who wants to bring your partner here, you are required to apply for German residence permit for spouse after he or she obtains the visa to enter the country. Additionally, it is important to note that starting with 2021, non-EU citizens are also required to obtain the ETIAS approval to enter Germany. This is an electronic authorization required for those who travel to Schengen area.

The marriage visa for Germany is not difficult to obtain, as long as you meet all the legal requirements. These can be explained by our specialists so that you are well prepared when filing for the visa.

If you want to apply for a German residence permit, do not hesitate to contact us. We are at your disposal with various services, depending on the reason for your relocation. Either way, a residence permit is required for both short and long-term stays, so do not hesitate to contact us as rapidly as possible.

Moving to Germany – spouse visa requirements

One of the most important things to note when seeking to obtain a spouse visa for Germany is that the spouse living in Germany must meet certain requirements. These are:

  • you need to have the legal right to reside in Germany;
  • you have sufficient space to accommodate your family to live with you;
  • you also have health insurance that will cover your incoming spouse or partner;
  • you have sufficient funds to financially support your spouse.

With respect to the foreign partner, he or she must also meet 2 basic requirements to obtain a spouse visa for Germany:

  • he or she must have the legal age of 18;
  • he or she must have basic knowledge of the German language.

It is also worth noting that now it has become possible to apply for an unmarried partner visa for Germany.

Among the documents one needs to substantiate in order to obtain a German residence permit for a spouse are the passports of both spouses, the residence permit of the spouse living in Germany and the marriage certificate.

Many foreign citizens ask our lawyers if there is a direct way to German citizenship. The answer is no, however, there is a residency program that allows one to invest in the local economy and live a comfortable life here. If you are interested in this option as a pathway to citizenship, do not doubt in contacting us.

How to obtain an unmarried partner visa for Germany

Here are the documents to be filed in order to obtain a German visa for your life partner when you are not married:

  • an invitation letter;
  • a declaration signed by both partners that attest to the existence of their relationship;
  • evidence supporting the relationship (photos, correspondence, testimonies, etc.)

Do not hesitate to ask for guidance from our immigration law firm in Germany if you want to apply for such a visa.

Living costs for a family in Germany

Here are the main living costs and average salary to consider as a family in Germany:

  • the monthly rent can range from 870 EUR to 1,600 EUR depending on the city and type of accommodation;
  • basic utilities cost around 240 EUR per month;
  • the average monthly salary in Germany is around 2,770 EUR after taxes.

If you decide to apply and obtain a spouse visa for Germany, do not hesitate to contact us.