As the spouse or partner of a German citizen, you can have your residence permit for family reunification extended if you wish to continue living with your partner in Germany.

To extend your residence permit, you must meet the same requirements and submit the same documents as when you first applied for a residence permit.

If your residence permit is extended, it will continue to entitle you to pursue gainful employment.

In general, the same requirements that apply to the initial issuance of a residence permit must be met for its renewal. This means:

• The validity period of your current residence permit will expire in the near future.
• You wish to continue living in Germany with your German spouse or civil partner.
• Your marriage or civil partnership with the German citizen continues.
  Please note : The marriage no longer exists if it has been dissolved, annulled, or declared invalid by a final and binding decision of a competent authority.
• Your German spouse or civil partner continues to have their habitual residence in Germany (that is, their center of life is not merely temporarily in Germany).
• You continue to live with your spouse or civil partner in a family-like living arrangement (for example, a shared residence). If you do not live together in a shared residence, a family-like living arrangement may be presumed if you maintain regular contact with one another that goes beyond mere visits.
• You are able to communicate in German at least at a basic level (Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). An exception may be made if German language courses are not offered in your country of origin, are too expensive, or you are unable to attend them for other reasons.
  Please note : Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit. 
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• Your presence does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment—originals if possible).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

• In cases of family reunification with German citizens, the requirement to demonstrate the ability to support oneself is generally waived.
• A residence permit is not granted if the marriage or civil partnership
  • was forced or
  • was entered into solely for the purpose of family reunification in Germany.
• If polygamy is permitted in the country of origin, only the spouse or civil partner from the first marriage is eligible for family reunification.
• After holding a residence permit for three years as part of family reunification for a foreign spouse of a German national, an application for a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) may be submitted under simplified conditions (see information on “Granting a Settlement Permit to Family Members of German Citizens Who Have Joined Them”).
• The proceedings at the Foreigners’ Registration Office are generally conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners’ Registration Office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those involved. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification
• Lawsuit before the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal, if the appeal is not granted

Application deadline: 6 to 8 weeks

Note (for more information on the deadline):

You must apply for an extension of your residence permit before your current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the Office of Foreigners no later than six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

Validity period:

In the case of an extension, the residence permit is granted for at least one year.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• A recognized and valid form of identification (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• A recent biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• If required to participate in an integration course: Proof that an integration course has been completed or that integration into social and community life has been achieved in another way. If an integration course has not yet been completed, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may deny the extension or extend the residence permit for only one year until the course has been successfully completed or proof has been provided that integration into social and community life has been achieved in another way.

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require less or additional documentation.

If necessary, you may need to submit proof of the continued existence of your marriage or civil partnership (for example, a marriage certificate) to the Foreigners’ Registration Office again.

• 96.00 euros for an additional stay of up to three months
• 93.00 euros for an additional stay of more than three months

Note:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a new residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as an electronic proof of identity.

The timing and method of fee collection and payment vary depending on the agency.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be available (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply to Turkish nationals.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes