You are thinking of doing a Masters or PhD in Germany but you do not want to be separated from your spouse and children during the time of your studies? Studying in Germany with family can be a great experience. You will be able to learn about a new culture and language, and you will also have the support of your loved ones. Read on to learn more about what to expect when studying in Germany with family, visa requirements, living arrangements, and even a few tips on making the most of your experience in the country. As a international student studying in Germany, you’re allowed to bring your family members to live with you, at least during the study period, by fulfilling the requirements of Germany Spouse visa which is officially called as Germany Family Reunion Visa.

What Is the Germany Spouse Visa for Family Reunification?

German Spouse Visa for family members of international students is a residence permit that entitles your non-EU/EEA family members to come and stay in Germany, while you’re completing a study course on the basis of your German Residence Permit “Aufenthaltserlaubnis for study.

The Family Reunion Visa is valid for at least the duration of your studies. In other words, a German Spouse Visa is valid for a minimum of 1 year. For example, if you are doing a 2-year Master’s in Germany and you brought your spouse on the family reunion visa, his or her spouse visa will be valid for at least 2 years. Please note that it takes at least 3 months for an entry German Family Reunion Visa to process.

The following members of your family have the eligibility to join you on German Family Reunion Visa while you’re studying in Germany:

• Spouse (husband, wife)
• Minor child
• Parent

Can your family members work in Germany with a Family Reunion Visa?

Yes, your family members joining you during your studies can work with a German family reunion visa. For example, after arriving in Germany with a family reunion visa, your spouse will have around 3 months to convert that German spouse visa into a residence permit for spouses. As soon as the residence permit is granted, your husband/wife will have a right to work in Germany.

Also Read: How to find Jobs in Germany

Requirements for Germany Spouse Visa For Family Reunification

There are many requirements to consider when applying for this visa. We would like to mention the most important ones for you to consider when making your decision: 

• German language requirements: In case you want to bring your spouse he/she must have a minimum German language proficiency level of A1 in order to apply for this visa. Moreover, if your child is between 16-18 years old, he/she must have a German language proficiency level of C1.
• Marriage: it is also important to mention that the marriage had to have taken place before you obtained your student visa in order to apply for this family reunion.
• Parents: your parent can only accompany you and apply for this type of visa if you need his/her care for a specific reason and you are not yet 18 years old.
• Monetary resources: You must be able to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to be able to live with your family in Germany for the entire period of your studies.
• Accommodation: As a student residence permit holder, you should have suitable accommodation in Germany for you and your spouse. In other words, your living space should be large enough to accommodate both of you. For example, a 16 sq.m. single room in a student dormitory will not qualify as adequate housing for a couple. It is noteworthy that student dormitories usually offer special housing that is sufficiently large for spouses.
• Duration of your stay: The duration of your study course should be at least 1 year.

Also Read: Part-time Jobs in Germany for International Students

Documents required for filling the Germany Spouse Visa:

After looking through the requirements across various locations around the world, our team came up with the following general checklist of documents that you will usually need for your spouse visa application:

Checklist for the German family reunion visa/ German spouse visa

• Completed application form. You can find the application forms on the website of the relevant German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your husband’s/wife’s application. The form is usually quite self-explanatory and easy to fill in. It asks you to provide information regarding your personal details, like your first and last names, date of birth, email, address, marital status, etc. 
• Completed declaration form. By doing this, your spouse confirms that the information s/he provided is accurate.
• Passport. Your spouse’s valid passport and copies of its data page. Besides, you need to provide copies of your passport’s data page too.
• Current biometric passport photos. The size of the photo should be 35(W) x 45(H). Your spouse’s face in this photo should be clearly visible and should occupy 70-80% of the picture. This equals to 32-36mm of height. The background should be without shadows, bright and unicolored, preferably in neutral grey.
• Residence Permit. You should provide copies of your current student residence permit in Germany.
• Marriage certificate.
• In case of previous marriages: marriage, divorce, death certificates. This applies to both you and your spouse.
• Birth certificate. Usually, your spouse should also provide a birth certificate for a German family reunion visa.
• Invitation letter. You should write an informal letter of invitation confirming that you and your spouse will live together and that you will take the financial responsibilities with regard to your spouse.
• Proof of funds. The proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your and your spouse’s living costs in Germany.
• Registration of the address (Meldebescheinigung). A certificate confirming your registration at a German address.
• Proof of accommodation in Germany. E.g., a lease contract or a letter from your landlord confirming that you are staying in the specific dormitory.
• Health insurance. Your spouse should provide valid insurance that covers the first 3 months of his/her stay in Germany. At this point, travel insurance usually suffices.
• Additional documents might be requested in individual cases.

What are the living costs for a family in Germany?

The cost of living in Germany varies depending on the region and the family’s lifestyle. In general, food, clothing, and housing expenses will be higher in major cities, like Berlin and Munich, than in smaller towns. Families with children may also have additional costs for childcare and education.

Overall, the German government estimates that a single person needs about €850 euros per month to cover their basic living expenses, while a family of four would need around €2,200. But these figures can vary widely depending on individual circumstances.