Many international students ask whether they can bring their spouse and children with them while studying in Germany.
The answer is: yes, but with significant restrictions. German immigration law allows family reunification for student visa holders, but only under specific conditions related to financial resources, adequate housing, and the type of residence permit.
Unlike workers or Blue Card holders, students face higher hurdles. This article explains the requirements for bringing a spouse (or registered partner) and children, the financial thresholds, the housing requirements, the visa application process for family members, and the restrictions on work for the accompanying spouse.
Legal basis: Section 30 AufenthG for spouses, Section 32 for children
The German Residence Act (AufenthG) governs family reunification. For a spouse to join a student, the student must hold a residence permit for study purposes (Section 16b).
The spouse is not automatically entitled to join; the Ausländerbehörde has discretion and will approve only if:
- The marriage was legally valid before the student moved to Germany (marriages of convenience are rejected).
- The student has sufficient living space for the family (adequate housing – angemessener Wohnraum).
- The student can financially support the family without recourse to German social benefits (no welfare).
- The spouse has basic German language skills (at least A1 for spouses of non-EU students).
- The student's residence permit is valid for at least one year at the time of application.
The most difficult requirement: financial resources
For a single student, the blocked account requires €12,324 (€1,027 per month). For a student bringing a spouse, you must prove additional funds.
The Ausländerbehörde typically requires an additional 50-80% of the student amount per family member.
Specifically:
- Student alone: €1,027/month
- Student + spouse: approximately €1,500-1,800/month (€18,000-21,600 annually)
- Student + spouse + 1 child: approximately €2,000-2,500/month (€24,000-30,000 annually)
These funds must be shown through a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or through the spouse's own income (if the spouse will work – see below).
For a family of three, you would need a blocked account of €24,000-30,000 – significantly higher than the standard amount.
Many students cannot afford this. Scholarships that cover family costs are rare.
Therefore, most international students study alone and bring their families later, after they have a job (e.g., after graduation on a job-seeker visa).
Adequate housing requirement (angemessener Wohnraum)
German law requires that each family member has sufficient living space. The rule of thumb: at least 12 square meters per adult, 10 square meters per child.
For a couple, a one-room apartment (30-40 sqm) is acceptable if it has a separate kitchen and bathroom.
For a family with a child, you need at least a 2-room apartment (50-60 sqm).
You must provide the rental contract and a floor plan to the Ausländerbehörde.
The housing must not be overcrowded (e.g., a 25 sqm studio for 3 people would be rejected).
The rent must also be reasonable – spending 80% of your blocked account on rent is a red flag.
Language requirement for the spouse: A1 German
The spouse must demonstrate basic German language skills at the A1 level (CEFR) before entering Germany.
This is proven by a certificate from an accredited language school (Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, or similar).
Exceptions to the language requirement include:
- The spouse holds a university degree from a German institution.
- The spouse has severe physical or mental health issues that make learning German impossible.
- The student's residence permit is for a temporary purpose (less than one year).
- The spouse is from an EU country (but then they don't need a visa anyway).
Note: The student does not need to prove German language skills for the spouse's visa – only the spouse does.
The A1 requirement is low – it covers basic phrases like introducing yourself, ordering food, asking for directions.
Most people can reach A1 in 2-3 months of part-time study.
Can the spouse work in Germany?
Yes, spouses of student visa holders are permitted to work in Germany, but with restrictions.
According to Section 30 AufenthG, the spouse receives a residence permit that includes unrestricted access to the labor market (Arbeitsmarktzugang).
This means the spouse can take any job – part-time or full-time – without needing separate permission.
However, there is a catch: the spouse's residence permit is tied to the student's permit.
If the student's permit expires, the spouse's permit expires as well. Also, the spouse must still meet the language and financial requirements at renewal time.
In practice, spouses often find work in retail, restaurants, delivery services, or as childcare providers.
If the spouse has professional qualifications, they may need to have them recognized in Germany (Anerkennung).
The spouse's income can be counted toward the family's financial proof, potentially reducing the blocked account requirement.
However, you cannot rely on anticipated income when applying for the visa – you must show liquid funds upfront.
Children: requirements and school enrollment
Children under 18 can join their student parent. The requirements are:
- Proof of custody (if the other parent is not coming, you need the other parent's written consent).
- Proof of adequate housing (sufficient bedrooms).
- Proof of financial resources (additional €300-500 per month per child).
- No language requirement for children under 16 (older children may need A1 German).
Once in Germany, children are entitled to free public education (Grundschule, Gymnasium, etc.).
They will need to be registered for school. The Ausländerbehörde will issue a residence permit for the child, typically valid as long as the parent's permit is valid.
Children born in Germany to student parents can be born with German citizenship under certain conditions (if one parent has been legally resident for 8 years – rare for students).
When can family members join you?
Family members cannot apply for a visa at the same time as the student.
The student must first:
- Obtain their own student visa and enter Germany.
- Convert the entry visa into a student residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
- Register their address, open a bank account, and find adequate housing.
- Demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources (after paying their own living costs) to support the family.
Only after these steps can the spouse apply for a family reunification visa at the German embassy in their home country.
The processing time for family reunification visas is 3-6 months. Therefore, realistically, a spouse can join the student 6 to 12 months after the student's arrival.
Alternatives: Spouse as a student themselves
If your spouse also qualifies for admission to a German university, it may be easier for them to apply for their own student visa.
Then both of you would be students. The financial requirements would be separate: each of you needs a blocked account (€12,324 each).
However, you can live together in the same apartment, reducing living costs. This approach avoids the family reunification hurdles (language requirement, higher financial threshold).
The downside: both of you must maintain full-time student status, which can be challenging with children.
Practical advice for students who want to bring family
- Save more money – aim for at least €25,000 in the blocked account if bringing a spouse, €35,000 for a spouse and one child.
- Choose a city with lower rent – Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt are very expensive. Consider smaller cities like Leipzig, Dresden, Bremen, Bochum, or Magdeburg where housing is affordable.
- Apply for a family apartment from the Studentenwerk – university-affiliated housing providers often have family apartments (2-3 rooms) at below-market rents. Waitlists can be long, so apply early.
- Have your spouse start learning German before arrival – even though A1 is the minimum, B1 level will help with daily life and employment.
- Consider coming alone first – many students spend the first year alone, get a part-time job, save money, and then bring their family in the second year.
- Consult a lawyer – family reunification for students is complex. The Ausländerbehörde has significant discretion. A lawyer can help present your case. Expect to pay €200-400 for a consultation.
Critical warning: Do not attempt to bring your family on a tourist visa and then apply for family reunification within Germany.
The German embassy may view this as visa fraud (entering as a tourist with the intention to stay).
The correct procedure is for the spouse to apply for a family reunification visa at the embassy in their home country.
Also, never marry a German citizen or EU national solely to obtain residency – that is marriage fraud and carries severe penalties (fines, imprisonment, deportation).