BLOG · FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Family Reunification in Germany 2027:
Language, Exemptions and New Dates
Two separate topics often get mixed up in family reunification: the suspension for people with subsidiary protection, and the regular rules for joining a working or German spouse. In this article I separate the two and explain the German requirement for spouses and its exemptions.
Hamza Çakın · IR - Law / Consultant
We often see the headline “Germany has stopped family reunification.” That is only true for a small group. According to the Federal Government’s reply to the Bundestag in July 2026, 17,823 visas were issued in 2025 to spouses of German citizens, and 92,565 on other family reunification grounds. Family reunification is still one of the largest channels of migration to Germany.
Basic requirements for spouses
Spousal reunification is governed by section 30 of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz). The main requirements:
- Both spouses are at least 18 years old
- The joining spouse can communicate in basic German (A1)
- The spouse in Germany holds a suitable residence status (e.g. settlement permit, Blue Card or certain residence permits)
- General requirements: secured livelihood and, as a rule, adequate housing. Since 1 March 2024, no housing proof is required for spouses of skilled workers.
Who is exempt from the A1 requirement?
- Spouses of skilled workers: if the spouse in Germany holds a Blue Card, ICT Card or a permit under sections 18a, 18b or 18d, no German certificate is required.
- Illness or disability that makes learning German impossible.
- Clearly low integration needs.
- Citizens of countries with visa-free long stays: Turkey is not one of them.
- Hardship cases: where special circumstances make learning German before entry impossible or unreasonable.
In practice: if you move to Germany as a skilled worker or with a Blue Card, your spouse can come with you without an A1 certificate.
A special note for Turkish citizens
In its Dogan judgment of 10 July 2014 (C-138/13), the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that, because of the standstill clause in the Additional Protocol to the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement, applying the language requirement in this form to spouses of Turkish workers in Germany breached EU law. A hardship exemption was then added to the law. This is not an automatic exemption for every Turkish citizen, however; it depends on the circumstances of each case.
The key date of 2027: 23 July
Family reunification for people with subsidiary protection was suspended for two years in July 2025. The suspension ends on 23 July 2027. German missions in Turkey are not giving appointments to this group until then. Exceptional applications on humanitarian grounds (sections 22 and 23) remain possible.
- 23.07.2027: end of the suspension
- 17,823: visas for spouses of Germans in 2025
- 92,565: other family reunification visas in 2025
- A1: German level required of spouses
Our assessment
Don’t assume the suspension will lift automatically in 2027. Parliament will decide on an extension before the deadline, and the current government’s line here is strict. For spouses of workers and German citizens, however, we see no tightening. If you are in this group, what counts is a complete file: A1 certificate or grounds for exemption, marriage documents, and the income and, where required, housing documents of the spouse in Germany.
Applying in practice
In many categories, such as spouses of German citizens, applications now go through the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de). For categories not yet on the portal, appointments are booked via iDATA.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get the A1 certificate?
From recognised providers such as the Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD. All four skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking) must be assessed.
My spouse holds a Blue Card. Do I need German?
No. Spouses of Blue Card holders are exempt from the language requirement.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the mission and the file. Check current processing times on the relevant mission’s website.
You can read which requirements apply to you on our family reunification page, or clarify it with us in a free consultation.
Sources: Deutscher Bundestag, Drucksache 21/6879 · Aufenthaltsgesetz § 30 · Deutsche Vertretungen in der Türkei · EuGH C-138/13 Dogan
This article is for general information, contains the author’s assessments and is not legal advice; figures are based on official sources at the date of publication.