Stay for Family Reasons

Residence for Family Reasons

What do you need for a legal stay?

If you want to stay legally in Germany, you usually have to enter with a visa and need a corresponding residence permit for your further stay.

Nationals of many countries are subject to visa requirements when entering Germany, including Armenian, Kosovar, Russian, Turkish and Nigerian citizens.

Others, on the other hand, e.g. Albanian, Bosnian, Georgian or Ukrainian nationals, may enter the Federal Republic of Germany for up to 90 days without a visa for a visit or tourist stay. During this period, they are not allowed to take up gainful employment. For a longer-term stay, they therefore also need a corresponding visa.

Who is allowed to stay for family reasons?

If you want to stay in Germany for family reasons, you need a visa for family reunification to enter the country. Only if you have such a visa, you can obtain a residence permit in Germany for family reasons.

There are several ways to obtain a residence permit for family reasons:

As a spouse of a German, as a minor child of a German or as a parent of a German child, you are entitled to a residence permit.

The same applies to these same family members of foreigners, provided that they have a residence permit and other requirements are met.

For family members of EU citizens, the right of free movement applies.