'Family Reunification of a Child with a Parent in Germany: Conditions,

Family reunification of a child with a parent in Germany is usually processed through a national visa and a subsequent residence permit on family grounds. The key provision for a child of a foreign parent is §32 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), but in practice, the decision depends on more than just the law: the consulate reviews the documents, the Ausländerbehörde in Germany assesses living conditions, and when only one parent is relocating, the issue of parental rights and the consent of the other parent is almost always a key factor.

Who is considered a child for family reunification

In the context of §32 AufenthG, this refers to an unmarried minor child. After the age of 18, the standard mechanism for family reunification no longer applies: for adult children, other—usually more complex—grounds apply, such as education, vocational training, employment, or exceptional humanitarian cases.

Therefore, two dates are important in the visa strategy:

• the child’s age at the time of application;
• whether the family can submit the complete set of documents before the child turns 18.

If the child is about to turn 16 or 18, do not delay filing the application and preparing the documents: the age thresholds in this category are of practical importance.

Legal Basis: §32 AufenthG

§32 of the AufenthG governs “Kindernachzug”—the relocation of an unmarried minor child to a foreign parent in Germany. In the basic scenario, a child may be granted a residence permit if the parent or parents to whom the child is relocating have the appropriate right of residence in Germany.

In practice, this could include, for example:

• Aufenthaltserlaubnis – temporary residence permit;
• Niederlassungserlaubnis – permanent residence permit;
• EU Long-Term Residence Permit;
• EU Blue Card or other status as a qualified professional;
• certain protection statuses, provided no specific restrictions apply to them.

The phrasing “the parent has a German long-term visa” is too vague: the specific residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) and the basis for residence are crucial. Before applying, you must verify whether the parent’s status is specifically eligible for family reunification.

Children over 16: When German language proficiency or an integration prognosis is required

For children aged 16–17, §32 of the AufenthG establishes stricter conditions if the child is not moving at the same time as their parents or the sole parent with custody. In such cases, one of the following two conditions must be met:

• The child has a high level of proficiency in German;
• Based on their education and life circumstances, it is evident that they will be able to integrate into German society.

In administrative practice, a high level of language proficiency is usually associated with C1 on the CEFR scale. But this is not the only possible route: the law also refers to the prospect of integration. Therefore, for teenagers, school records, information about German language studies, previous residence in EU/EEA countries, or other experience demonstrating the ability to adapt are particularly important.

There are exceptions for certain parental statuses, including some work and research-based statuses, the EU Blue Card, the ICT Card, and other categories. These must be verified based on the parent’s current status, rather than a general list found online.

If a parent has refugee status

For families of individuals with international protection, the rules vary depending on the type of status. In 2026, it is important to review cases involving subsidiary protection separately: according to the Auswärtiges Amt, family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection has been suspended through July 23, 2027, inclusive; however, exceptional humanitarian cases may be considered under §§22 and 23 of the AufenthG.

If a parent in Germany has refugee status, asylum status, subsidiary protection, or another humanitarian status, the rules for workers or the Blue Card cannot be applied to them. It is necessary to verify the specific residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), the date the status was granted, and any current restrictions.

Consent of the Other Parent and Parental Rights

If a child is moving to live with only one parent, the consulate usually verifies whether that parent has the right to take the child to Germany for permanent residence. In cases of joint custody under §32 Abs. 3 AufenthG, the other parent’s consent to the child’s residence in Germany or a legally binding decision by the competent authority is required.

In practice, the following may be required:

• Notarized consent from the other parent for the child’s departure and permanent residence in Germany;
• a court order granting sole custody or permission to leave the country;
• a death certificate for the other parent;
• a document confirming the termination of parental rights, if applicable;
• Confirmation that the other parent is not listed on the birth certificate, if this is evident from the document.

If it is impossible to obtain consent—for example, if the other parent cannot be located or refuses to sign the documents—you should not substitute a arbitrary statement in their place. Before submitting your application, it is best to contact the German consular office in your consular district to clarify what evidence and court documents they will accept.

Documents Required for a National Visa

The exact list depends on the country of application and the consular district. For applicants from Russia, German diplomatic missions publish separate guidelines on “Kindernachzug,” but even these may be updated. The information below serves as a practical guide and is not a substitute for the official checklist.

Typically, the following documents are prepared:

• a national visa application completed in German, often via VIDEX;
• the child’s valid passport and copies of the page containing personal information;
• biometric-standard photographs;
• the child’s birth certificate;
• parents’ passports and documents;
• Proof of the parent’s residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany;
• The parent’s Meldebescheinigung in Germany;
• an invitation or an informal letter from the parent with whom the child is moving;
• Proof of housing in Germany: a Mietvertrag, proof of ownership, or other proof of address;
• documents regarding parental rights and the consent of the other parent, if the child is not moving with both parents;
• proof of German language proficiency, if required based on age and circumstances;
• health insurance for the period of entry until enrollment in the permanent insurance system.

Documents not issued in Germany usually require an apostille or another form of authentication, if applicable in the issuing country. Russian-language documents for the German process are typically submitted with a German translation. The number of copies and certification requirements should be obtained from the guidelines of the specific consulate.

Biometric passports for Russian citizens in 2026

A separate rule applies to Russian citizens: as of January 1, 2026, a Russian biometric passport is generally required to enter Germany. A non-biometric passport may be used only in limited cases, such as when it already contains a valid German visa issued before that date.

If a child is applying for a new visa or the family is planning to renew their Aufenthaltstitel in Germany, a non-biometric Russian passport will no longer be valid starting in 2026. This must be taken into account in advance, as obtaining a new passport can take time.

Health Insurance

For a national visa, insurance is usually required for the initial period of entry. In the case of family reunification, a child can often be included in the state health insurance (Familienversicherung) after arrival, registration, and completion of the formalities, provided the parent is insured under the statutory health insurance (GKV) and the conditions for family insurance are met.

Until permanent insurance actually takes effect, you may need Incoming-Versicherung or another private policy that meets the entry requirements. It is important to ensure there is no gap between the date of entry and the start date of coverage.

What happens after the age of 18

A common misconception in initial discussions of this topic is the assumption that a child’s residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) granted for family reunification automatically expires on their 18th birthday. This is an overly sweeping and incorrect generalization.

§34 of the AufenthG explicitly provides that upon reaching the age of majority, the residence permit issued to the child becomes an independent right of residence, separate from family reunification. Furthermore, the child’s Aufenthaltserlaubnis may be extended until the conditions for a Niederlassungserlaubnis or Daueraufenthalt-EU are met.

But this doesn’t mean you can ignore the status issue. Before turning 18, it’s worth checking with the Ausländerbehörde in advance:

• the expiration date of the current residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel);
• on what basis the permit will be extended after the child reaches the age of majority;
• Is proof of enrollment in school, vocational training (Ausbildung), income, residence, or insurance required?
• Is there a path to a Niederlassungserlaubnis under §35 AufenthG?
• Is a Fiktionsbescheinigung required if the renewal cannot be processed before the card expires?

In practice, it makes sense to start this process several months before your current residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) expires, rather than after receiving a letter from the ABH.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

1. Check the parent’s residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany and whether it qualifies for family reunification.
2. Verify the child’s age as of the application date and assess the risks if the child is already 16 or will soon turn 18.
3. Determine the parental rights: who has custody (Sorgerecht) and whether the other parent’s consent is required.
4. Open the checklist from the German diplomatic mission in the country where you are submitting your application.
5. Prepare birth certificates, passports, apostilles, and translations.
6. Fill out the application for a national visa and schedule an appointment to submit it.
7. Prepare the parent’s housing, insurance, and documents in Germany for review by the Ausländerbehörde.
8. After entering the country, register your address, obtain health insurance, and apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel).

Common Mistakes

• Relying on a general list of documents without checking the guidelines provided by your consulate.
• Applications must be submitted using a non-biometric Russian foreign passport after January 1, 2026.
• It is incorrect to assume that the other parent’s consent is “definitely not required” if the child is actually living with the applicant.
• Wait until the child turns 18 to apply for an extension or change of status.
• Do not confuse the rules for children, spouses, parents of a German child, and family members with those for persons with protected status.
• Buying insurance just “to check a box” without verifying the coverage start date and the visa office’s requirements.

FAQ

Is it possible to bring an adult child to Germany?

Standard family reunification under §32 AufenthG is intended for unmarried minor children. For an adult child, a different basis must be found: study, vocational training (Ausbildung), employment, or rare exceptional cases.

If the child is 17 years old, is it still possible to obtain a visa?

Yes, but the risk is higher. You must submit an application before the child reaches the age of majority and carefully review the requirements for adolescents over 16 years of age: German language proficiency, integration prospects, and exceptions based on the parent’s status.

Is the other parent’s consent required?

If the other parent has parental rights, consent or a court order are usually the key documents. If consent cannot be obtained, the matter must be discussed in advance with the German consulate and, if necessary, with a family law attorney.

Can a child be enrolled in public health insurance immediately upon arrival?

Sometimes, yes, if the parent is enrolled in the GKV and the conditions for family insurance are met. However, until coverage actually begins, you may need “incoming” insurance or another temporary policy.