Family reunification (Familiennachzug) lets close family join someone who lives in Germany. Who can come, and on what conditions, depends on who the family member is and on the status of the person already here.
The conditions that apply to most cases
Whoever is joining, a few things are usually checked:
The person here holds a suitable permit (or is German).
The family can be supported without relying on state benefits. This condition is applied more strictly when joining another foreign resident, and much more generously when joining a German.
There is enough housing for the family.
Registered partnerships are treated like marriage. Marriages where one partner was under 16, and forced marriages, are not recognised for reunification.
Joining a spouse or partner
To bring a husband, wife, or registered partner:
Both partners are usually at least 18.
The partner coming often needs basic German (level A1) before arriving. There are important exceptions, for example the spouses of skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders, and cases where little integration effort is needed.
The person here needs a permit, and the general support and housing conditions apply.
Joining a German spouse is treated more favourably. The support condition is applied very generously, and is usually not a barrier.
Joining as a child
Unmarried children under 18 can usually join their parents.
Older teenagers can face extra checks on how well they are likely to settle in, so these cases need more care.
A child born in Germany to parents who hold permits is normally covered too.
Joining as a parent
Parents can usually join only in limited cases, most clearly a parent of a German child who is still a minor.
Beyond that, a parent joining an adult usually needs an exceptional hardship reason.
Not sure where you stand
Family cases turn on the details: your exact relationship, the permit the person in Germany holds, the language rule and its exceptions, and how support and housing are counted. These are the parts that need a proper check. An immigration lawyer can look at your family's situation and tell you what is possible and what to prepare.
This is general information based on publicly available sources. It is not legal advice and it does not assess your individual case. Under German law, advice on your specific situation may only be given by a qualified lawyer.
Sources:
Aufenthaltsgesetz §27, §28, §29, §30, §32, §36 — gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004
Verfahrenshinweise zum Aufenthalt in Berlin (VAB), sections A.27 to A.36, version 12.06.2026 — Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin