Family Reunification for Skilled Workers (§§ 18a, 18b AufenthG)

Skilled workers with a vocational qualification (§ 18a AufenthG) or a university degree (§ 18b AufenthG) are the backbone of Germany's immigration system — and their families now travel almost as smoothly as the families of Blue Card holders. The 2024 reform aligned much of the family track for skilled workers with the privileged rules that previously benefited only the highly paid.

Spouses

The requirements come from §§ 29 and 30 AufenthG: the sponsoring skilled worker must hold their residence title, adequate housing must be available, and both spouses must be at least 18. The traditional obstacle — proof of basic German (A1) before entry — is waived for spouses of skilled workers holding titles under §§ 18a and 18b AufenthG. Spouses of nationals of visa-free countries (US, UK, Canada and others) are exempt in any event.

Once here, the spouse may take up any employment or self-employment — no labour-market test, no restriction to qualified work. For dual-career couples this is often the decisive fact: the "trailing" spouse does not trail for long.

Children

Minor unmarried children join under § 32 AufenthG. Children under 16 need essentially only the family link and the general requirements. Children over 16 who move separately normally must show advanced German or a positive integration prognosis — an obstacle from which children of skilled workers are exempt.

Livelihood and Housing

The family's livelihood must be secured without public funds (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG) — measured against the whole household: salary, rent, number of family members. Skilled-worker salaries at the lower end can become tight once two children are added to the calculation, and this — not paperwork — is where applications most often stall. Adequate housing (§ 29 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 AufenthG) means housing sufficient for the family size by local standards; a one-room flat will not be sufficient for a family of four.

Parents

Skilled workers whose first § 18a/§ 18b title was issued on or after 1 March 2024 can also sponsor their parents and parents-in-law under § 36 Abs. 3 AufenthG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my family apply together with me? Yes, and it is usually the best approach: coordinated visa applications let the family enter together and avoid duplicate document rounds.

My spouse has no degree — does that matter? No. The spouse's own qualifications are irrelevant to the reunification permit, and the work right that comes with it is unrestricted.

Do we need a specific income figure? There is no single statutory number; the authority calculates your household's actual needs (rent, insurance, standard rates). We model this calculation before filing so there are no surprises.

What happens to my family's status if I change employers? Your family's permits depend on your residence title, not your employer. A job change that keeps your own title intact leaves the family's status untouched — but plan title and job changes together.

Family cases are won in the preparation of the household numbers. Book a consultation and we will check yours before the embassy does. Book a consultation →

Last reviewed: August 2026 — RAin Fiona Macdonald