Family Reunification
Because your hire
doesn't relocate alone.
When your international hire has a partner or children, the relocation isn't just one visa — it's two, three, or more. relokate handles family reunification in parallel with the main application: spouse visa, dependent visas, school enrollment, family health insurance, and Anmeldung for everyone.
What family reunification covers
Spouse visa application
We prepare and submit the spouse visa application alongside the main applicant. Includes document collection, embassy coordination, and appointment scheduling.
Children visa & dependent permits
Visa applications for minor children and dependent family members. We handle age-specific requirements and ensure all dependents are included in the timeline.
Spouse work permit
Most spouse visas in Germany include an unrestricted work permit. We ensure the correct visa category is applied for so the spouse can work from day one.
School & Kita enrollment
We provide guidance on school enrollment (Schulanmeldung) and Kita registration for children, including documentation requirements and local options.
Family health insurance
We set up health insurance for the entire family — public or private, depending on the main applicant's employment status and salary. Children are typically covered at no extra cost under public insurance.
Anmeldung for all family members
Address registration (Anmeldung) is required for every family member within 14 days of arrival. We book the appointment and prepare all forms for the entire family.
Family timeline — parallel with main applicant
We process family visas alongside the main application so the whole family arrives together.
Family assessment
Day 1When the main applicant's case is opened, we assess the family situation: spouse, children, dependents. We identify the correct visa category for each family member and flag any additional requirements (e.g., A1 German certificate for spouse).
Parallel document preparation
Week 1-2We collect documents for all family members simultaneously: marriage certificate, birth certificates, passport copies, health insurance proof. Apostille and translation requirements are handled in one batch.
Embassy appointments
Week 2-6We coordinate embassy appointments for the spouse and main applicant — ideally on the same day or within the same week. Children under 18 are typically included in a parent's appointment.
Visa issuance & joint entry
Week 6-12Family visas are processed in parallel. In most cases, the family receives their visas within the same timeframe as the main applicant and can enter Germany together.
Family settlement
Week 12+Upon arrival, relokate handles Anmeldung, health insurance, and bank account setup for all family members. We assist with school enrollment and provide practical orientation for the family.
Why family reunification matters for retention
Employees who relocate without their family are significantly more likely to leave within the first year. Supporting the whole family is a retention strategy.
Faster settling-in
Employees with family support settle faster and are productive sooner. No distraction from unresolved visa issues for their spouse or children.
Higher retention
International hires whose families are settled are 3x more likely to stay beyond 2 years. Family support is the single biggest retention lever.
No HR overhead
relokate handles all family visa applications, appointments, and registrations. Your HR team manages one case — we manage the family.
Parallel processing saves months
Processing family visas after the main applicant arrives adds 3-6 months of separation. Parallel processing means the family arrives together.
Frequently asked questions
Does the spouse need to speak German?
It depends on the main applicant's visa type. If the main applicant holds an EU Blue Card, the spouse is exempt from the A1 German requirement. For most other visa types, the spouse needs to prove basic German skills (A1 level) before entry — though exceptions exist for certain nationalities.
Can the spouse work in Germany?
Yes. Spouses of EU Blue Card holders and Skilled Worker visa holders receive an unrestricted work permit as part of their residence permit. They can work in any field, for any employer, with no additional application required.
Can we process the family visa at the same time as the main applicant?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. relokate processes family visa applications in parallel with the main applicant. This avoids the 3-6 month delay that occurs when family visas are filed after the main applicant's arrival.
What documents are needed for family reunification?
Core documents include: marriage certificate (apostilled and translated), birth certificates for children, valid passports, proof of health insurance, proof of accommodation in Germany, and proof of financial means. Specific requirements vary by embassy — relokate provides a tailored checklist for each family.
Is family reunification included in relokate's pricing?
Family members are handled as part of the main relocation case. Spouse and dependent visa applications are included in the standard per-case pricing — there is no separate fee per family member. Government visa fees apply per person.
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Related guides
Everything families need to know about reunification, health insurance, and settling in Germany.
Family Reunification: Full guide
Spouse visa, children visa, requirements, and timelines
EU Blue Card holders: spouse works from day one
No A1 German requirement, unrestricted work permit for spouse
Health Insurance for family members
Public vs. private, family coverage, and what's included
Anmeldung: Registering family at a German address
Required within 14 days — documents, process, and tips
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Relocate the whole family — not just the employee
Get a family relocation plan that runs in parallel with the main visa application.