Fresh figures from the Federal Foreign Office show that Germany approved 101,756 visas for family reunification between January and November 2025, even after the CDU-SPD coalition tightened eligibility criteria in July. Turkish citizens topped the list with 14,907 approvals, followed by Syrians (13,148), Indians (9,286), Kosovars (7,143) and Albanians (4,426). Roughly 44 % of the total related to spouses joining foreign residents in Germany, while 37,227 visas were granted for children joining their parents.
The numbers represent a drop of about 15 % compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting stricter income thresholds for sponsors and a pause in some humanitarian admission schemes. Nonetheless, they underline Germany’s continued attractiveness for family migration and the pressure on consulates to process applications quickly.
![Despite Tougher Rules, Germany Issued 100,000 Family-Reunification Visas in 2025]()
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the data matter because dependants’ visas often determine whether skilled workers accept assignments. HR managers report that waiting times for spouse and child visas at high-volume missions such as Istanbul and Bangalore still exceed 20 weeks, despite recent digitalisation initiatives. Companies are increasingly offering relocation allowances to cover document translation, health-insurance premiums and—where required—language courses that speed up final approval.
Observers expect demand to remain strong in 2026 when the next phase of the Skilled Immigration Act enters into force, giving Blue-Card holders more flexible routes for bringing parents over. Employers should therefore monitor quota discussions in the Bundestag and reserve budget for family services in mobility packages.
The numbers represent a drop of about 15 % compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting stricter income thresholds for sponsors and a pause in some humanitarian admission schemes. Nonetheless, they underline Germany’s continued attractiveness for family migration and the pressure on consulates to process applications quickly.
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the data matter because dependants’ visas often determine whether skilled workers accept assignments. HR managers report that waiting times for spouse and child visas at high-volume missions such as Istanbul and Bangalore still exceed 20 weeks, despite recent digitalisation initiatives. Companies are increasingly offering relocation allowances to cover document translation, health-insurance premiums and—where required—language courses that speed up final approval.
Observers expect demand to remain strong in 2026 when the next phase of the Skilled Immigration Act enters into force, giving Blue-Card holders more flexible routes for bringing parents over. Employers should therefore monitor quota discussions in the Bundestag and reserve budget for family services in mobility packages.
Source: DIE ZEIT / dpa
