Residence Permit for Spouses of Foreign Nationals
Your spouse or partner holds a residence title? Here is how to apply for your residence permit for family reunification in Berlin.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for family reunification?
Your spouse or registered same-sex partner lives in Berlin and holds a valid residence title? Then you can apply for a residence permit for family reunification.
You submit the application online using the form "Residence permit for family reasons". Have all required documents ready, preferably as PDF files. You must pay the processing fee before submitting, unless you are exempt. After submitting, you will receive a PDF confirmation. This confirmation is important: it certifies that your current residence title remains valid beyond its expiry date.
The State Office for Immigration (LEA) will review your application and contact you. If the application is approved, you will receive an appointment for an in-person visit together with your spouse or partner. Bring all documents listed in the invitation letter.
Note: If you have held this type of residence permit for at least 5 years, you may be eligible for a permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Check the "Further information" section for details.
Requirements
Additional requirements
- You need a current email address. The LEA will contact you via email. Check your spam folder regularly.
- For the online application, you need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal.
- Family reunification is not possible if your spouse holds a residence permit under Section 25(2) sentence 1 second alternative (subsidiary protection), Section 25(4), (4b), (5), Section 25a(2), Section 25b(4), Section 104a(1) sentence 1, Section 104b or Section 104c of the Residence Act.
How to apply
Submit the online application "Residence permit for family reasons". Have all documents ready as PDF files if possible. The application is extensive, but you can save your progress and continue later.
Pay the processing fee in the online application via credit card or PayPal. If you are exempt from the fee, payment is not required.
Save and print the PDF confirmation. It certifies that your residence title remains valid beyond its expiry date.
Wait for the LEA to review your application. If needed, the LEA will request additional documents.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an appointment for an in-person visit together with your spouse or partner at the LEA. Bring all documents listed in the invitation letter.
After the appointment, your electronic residence title (eAT) will be produced. Processing takes at least 4 weeks.
First issuance
- Extension93.00 EUR
- Turkish nationals under 24 (issuance/extension)27.60 EUR
- Turkish nationals 24 and over (issuance/extension)46.00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at self-service terminal6.00 EUR
Exemptions
- No fees for persons who cannot cover their livelihood without benefits under SGB II, SGB XII or the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. A current notice from the Jobcenter or social welfare office must be presented.
Good to know
When extending your residence permit, the authority may waive the proof of secured subsistence and sufficient living space. The authority decides on a case-by-case basis. Especially when there are minor children in the household, the decision is often made in favour of the parent.
Die Verlängerung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis unter Absehen von den Regelerteilungsvoraussetzungen der Lebensunterhaltssicherung sowie des Wohnraumerfordernisses steht im Ermessen der Ausländerbehörde.
VAB A.30, S. 378-385
Is your spouse a holder of an EU Blue Card, an ICT Card or a researcher residence permit? Then there is no minimum stay required as a prerequisite. You have a legal entitlement to reunification.
In Buchst. g wird auch für den Familiennachzug zu Inhabern einer Blauen Karte EU, einer ICT-Karte oder einer Mobilen ICT-Karte keine voraussichtliche Mindestdauer des Aufenthalts gefordert.
VAB A.30, S. 378-385
Is your spouse accompanying a short-term mobile researcher to Germany? Then you do not need your own residence title. The requirements are a valid passport and secured subsistence within the household.
Kurzfristig mobile Forscher nach § 18e bedürfen keines Aufenthaltstitels, wenn sie bereits in einem anderen Mitgliedstaat einen Aufenthaltstitel als Forscher nach der Richtlinie 2016/801/EU innehatten. Entsprechendes gilt auch für den begleitenden Ehegatten mit einem Titel zum Familiennachzug
VAB A.30, S. 378-385
Contact & Responsibility
Find responsible department
The responsible department depends on your surname and/or nationality.
Report waiting time
Help the community by sharing your recent experience with appointment wait times.
Comments
Ratings and reviews from the community.
Something wrong? Help us improve this page.
Residence Permit for Spouses of Foreign Nationals
After the in-person appointment, it takes at least 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title (eAT) and can be collected.