Bringing your family to Germany

Your spouse and minor children can usually join you. The exact rules depend on your permit — Blue Card holders get the smoothest path.

• Secure enough income and living space (rule of thumb ~12 m² per person) for the whole family.
• Spouse usually needs basic German (A1) — but this is WAIVED for spouses of Blue Card and § 18a/18b holders, and several nationalities.
• Get marriage and birth certificates apostilled and translated; some countries require embassy document verification (start early).
• Joining spouses get full labour-market access from day one.