Germany Spouse Visa 2025: Simple Steps for a Smooth Application

A Germany Spouse Visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to reunite with their partner in Germany under family reunification rules. To qualify for the Germany Spouse Visa, your spouse must be a German citizen, hold a valid residence permit (like an EU Blue Card), or possess a settlement permit. Applicants must prove basic German proficiency (A1 level) through a recognized certificate. Required documents include a legalized marriage certificate, proof of the spouse’s income or employment, and valid health insurance. Citizens of countries like the US, UK, or Japan can skip the Germany Spouse Visa and apply directly for a residence permit after arrival. The visa costs €75 and is valid for 3–12 months before converting to a residence permit.

Applying for a Germany Spouse Visa starts with completing the VIDEX form online or as a PDF, followed by booking an appointment at a German embassy or visa center. Prepare documents like biometric photos, your spouse’s residence proof, and language certificates. During the interview, expect questions about your relationship, living plans, and financial stability. Processing takes 1–3 months, with possible delays due to high demand. After approval, the Germany Spouse Visa allows entry to Germany, where you must register your address and convert the visa to a residence permit before expiry. Schedule this early, as immigration offices often have long wait times.

Once in Germany, spouses gain a residence permit with full work rights, access to education, and a path to permanent residency. Those married to German citizens can apply for citizenship after three years (if B2 German) or a settlement permit in the same period. Non-citizen spouses qualify for permanent residency after five years. Key steps for Germany Spouse Visa holders include registering at the Resident’s Office, securing health insurance, and attending language courses if required. This visa not only reunites families but also integrates spouses into German society with opportunities for employment, study, and eventual citizenship.

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Overview

Purpose	Joining a spouse living in Germany
Eligibility	Spouses of German nationalsSpouses of foreign skilled workers with a German residence permit, a settlement permit or an EU Blue Card
Type	National visa (type D) for family reunification
Validity	3 to 12 months (before expiry, it must be converted to a residence permit)
Cost	€75

Who Needs a Germany Spouse Visa?

Almost all non-EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens need a visa to join their spouse in Germany. You have to apply for a long-stay spouse visa from your country of residence—and then, after you move to Germany, you convert it into a residence permit.

Germany Spouse Visa Requirements

The requirements for a Germany Spouse Visa include:

Printed and signed application form.
Two biometric passport photos.
Legalized marriage certificate.
Your spouse’s German passport, identity card, or certificate of naturalization (if they are a German citizen).
Your spouse’s residence permit (if they are a legal resident)
German language certificate (A1).
Copy of your spouse’s employment contract in Germany.
Copy of your spouse’s latest three payslips.
Copy of your spouse’s rental agreement.
Copy of your spouse’s registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung).
Travel health insurance is valid in Germany.
Visa fee payment slip.

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Application Process

Here’s a detailed step-by-step application process for a Germany Spouse Visa:

Step 1: Complete the Germany Spouse Visa Application Form

The first thing you need to do is fill out the application form. There are two ways you can do this:

In both cases, you have to print it out after you complete all the answers, and sign it at the end. Attach it to the rest of the required documents.

Step 2: Schedule a Germany Spouse Visa Appointment

Once you have filled out the application form, schedule a visa appointment with the German embassy or consulate in your country or a visa center, such as VFS Global or TLS.

Check the website of the German embassy/consulate to learn where exactly you need to submit your application.

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Step 3: Collect all the Required Documents

While you are waiting for your appointment, you have to collect the required documents, as listed above.

When you schedule your visa appointment, the visa center or embassy will provide you with the exact checklist of documents you need to collect.

Some of the documents will depend on your specific case and/or the country you are from, but they are usually similar. Make sure you have all the documents on the provided checklist.

Step 4: Submit Your Germany Spouse Visa Application

On the day of your appointment, you have to submit all the documents and pay the €75 visa fee.

It is likely that the visa officer will ask you questions regarding your relationship history and details about your spouse (their job, living arrangements, financial situation, etc).

Additionally, you may be asked to show photos of the two of you together, including photos from your marriage ceremony, or proof of communications between the two of you (text messages or calls).

Make sure you have everything prepared.

Processing Time for Germany Spouse Visa

It takes one to three months to process a German spouse visa. When the German authorities approve your visa request, the embassy will grant the visa for a duration of 3 to 12 months.

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Germany Spouse Visa Interview Questions

Some of the questions you may be asked during your Germany Spouse Visa application include:

Personal information: Full names, dates of birth, and nationalities (yours and your spouse’s). How did you meet? When did you start dating and get married?
Living arrangements: Where do you currently live? Where will you live in Germany?
Relationship details: How do you communicate with your spouse and how often? Describe memorable experiences or your spouse’s hobbies.
Future plans: What are your plans for the future as a couple? Do you plan to have children?
Financial stability: How will you support yourselves in Germany? Does your spouse work in Germany? Proof of relationship (photos, messages)?
Language and integration: Do you speak German or plan to take language courses? How will you integrate into German society?

Step 5: Get Your Germany Spouse Visa & Travel to Germany

Once your Germany Spouse Visa has been approved, it will be issued for a duration of three to twelve months—you can travel to Germany on the dates specified on the visa sticker.

After you move to Germany, you have to apply for a residence permit at the immigration authorities before your visa expires. The residence permit allows you to live in Germany long-term.

Step 6: Apply for a Residence Permit

You have to apply for a residence permit 4 to 6 weeks before your visa is scheduled to expire. Here’s a quick overview of your next steps:

Register your address at the Einwohnermeldeamt (Resident’s Registration Office).
Book an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office).
Prepare all the documents required (the Ausländerbehörde will provide you a list of documents).
Submit your application and pay the required fees (about €100).

Remember: You have to apply 4-6 before your visa expires, so schedule your appointment earlier, since there are often long waiting times.

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Your Rights With a Germany Spouse Visa Residence Permit

Once you receive your German residence permit, you have rights that help you integrate into German society:

Work: After you get your spouse residence permit, you can work in Germany without restrictions.
Study: As a spouse, you can enroll in a German university without having to apply for a separate student visa.
Settlement: As the spouse of a German citizen or legal resident, you are also entitled to permanent residency. If you are married to a German citizen or someone who has a permanent residence permit (settlement permit), you are eligible for a settlement permit in as soon as three years of living in Germany.
German citizenship: If you are married to a German citizen, you can get citizenship after three years of residence in Germany. If you are not married to a German citizen, you can get citizenship in five years. In either case, you must have been married to your spouse for at least two years, and speak German in at least a B2 level.

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FAQs

What is the validity of the Germany Spouse Visa?

The spouse visa is issued for three to twelve months. Before the visa expires, you have to apply for a German residence permit, which is valid for at least one year and can be renewed.
The exact validity of your residence permit is also determined by the immigration status of your spouse. For example, spouses of EU Blue Card workers will receive a two-year residence permit.

What type of health insurance do I need for a Germany Spouse Visa?

When you apply for a spouse visa at the embassy, you can get a short-term travel health insurance policy, which will cover you during your trip and the initial period of your stay.
After you arrive in Germany, you have to switch the health insurance policy to something long-term, with a private or public insurance company.
If your spouse is insured through their work, you may be included in their insurance policy as a dependent.

Can we provide proof of a civil partnership instead of marriage?

Yes, if you are unmarried civil partners, you can apply for spousal reunification as well. In order for this to be possible, your civil partnership must meet these requirements:
It must be registered in your country
The civil partnership declarations must be recorded in official files or registers
The relationship must be legally valid and create rights and responsibilities for both partners (financial support, shared property rights, or obligations to care for each other).
The same applies to all civil partnerships between two people, regardless of sex or gender.

Can I apply for a spouse visa if my spouse is a student in Germany?

You can only apply for family reunification with a spouse who is studying in Germany if:
Your spouse has a residence permit valid for more than one year
You were already married at the time your spouse obtained their residence permit
Your spouse can financially support you and themselves without benefits or assistance

What if my spouse is self-employed? Can they still sponsor my visa?

Yes, your spouse can sponsor your visa if they are self-employed, as long as they have a valid residence permit and can financially support you.

How far in advance should I apply for a Germany Spouse Visa?

You should apply for a spouse visa at least six months in advance. It can take weeks to get an appointment at the embassy, and then up to three months for the visa to be processed.

How can I check the status of my visa application?

Typically, German embassies do not provide platforms for you to see the status of your visa. They may let you know an approximate date when you can expect to hear from them.

What should I do if my application is rejected?

If your spouse visa application is rejected, the embassy will provide a reason for the rejection. Generally, there are two main things you can do:
Reapply for the visa at another time: If your visa was rejected due to a “mistake” on your end, such as insufficient documentation and proof of relationship, then you can fix the mistake and re-apply at another time.
Appeal the decision. On the visa rejection letter, it will state whether the decision is eligible for appeal, and the appeal procedure.

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Germany Spouse Visa 2025: Simple Steps for a Smooth Application