Child reunification
You can also bring your children with you to Germany. Because: If you or your spouse have a right of residence in Germany, your underage children also receive a residence permit or a right to freedom of movement and settlement.
To Germany with children
Child reunification from non-EU countries and EU countries enables families to stay together and live jointly in Germany. Child reunification is an important contribution to integration and to social cohesion in Germany.
Family members of people living in Germany generally have the right to join them in Germany if they meet the necessary conditions. Especially for children it is important that they can grow up with their parents and build social ties in Germany.
Child reunification from non-EU countries is, however, subject to certain conditions, such as proof of sufficient financial means and fulfilment of the requirements of the German Residence Act. EU citizens and their family members generally have the right to freedom of movement within the EU, so that child reunification is as a rule simpler and more straightforward.
Overall, child reunification helps to promote family togetherness and gives family members the opportunity to live and work together in Germany.
In general, however, certain conditions must be met for a child to join:
- The child must be a minor and must not yet have completed their 18th year of life.
- The child must be a biological child or an adoptive child of the parent they wish to join.
- The parents must have a secure residence status in Germany. That means they must hold either a residence permit or a residence title.
- Sufficient financial means must be available to secure the child’s livelihood without the child having to claim social benefits.
- The child must have health insurance.
It is important to note that the exact conditions and procedures for child reunification can differ from country to country. It is advisable to find out in advance exactly about the respective conditions.
For children older than 16 years there are special requirements. You can find out about these at the competent German embassy. Once your child has completed their 18th year of life, they must as a rule apply for their own residence permit.