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Who qualifies

Germany spouse visa requirements: age, German, sponsor's residence permit, living space and money

By VisaRoom EditorialChecked 31 October 2026For applicants in Lagos

Short answer

For a German spouse visa, section 30 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) sets the main rule: both spouses are at least 18 and the spouse joining can communicate in German at least on a basic level, with exceptions. Section 30 also lists the residence titles the person in Germany must hold. Section 29 adds, for a spouse joining a foreigner, that the person in Germany holds a listed residence title and that sufficient living space is available, with exceptions.

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On this page
  1. Short answer
  2. Age and basic German for the spouse (section 30)
  3. Which residence permit must the person in Germany have? (section 29)
  4. Is there a living space or income rule?
  5. What if your spouse is a German citizen? (section 28)
  6. People also ask
  7. Related questions
  8. Sources

Age and basic German for the spouse (section 30)

Section 30(1) AufenthG covers the spouse of a foreigner. The German text says the permit 'ist ... zu erteilen' (is to be granted) if the conditions are met. The English translation of the statute says a temporary residence permit is to be granted if both spouses are at least 18 years of age.

Section 30(1) sentence 1 no. 3 also sets its own list of residence titles that the person in Germany must hold for the spouse's permit. That list is narrower than the one in section 29. This article does not set it out.

The same sentence asks that the spouse can communicate in the German language at least on a basic level. The German text puts it this way: 'zumindest auf einfache Art in deutscher Sprache verständigen kann'.

The statute has exceptions to these two points, in section 30(1) sentences 2 and 3 and section 30(2). This article covers only the main rule.

Sources for this part14

Which residence permit must the person in Germany have? (section 29)

Section 29(1) AufenthG is about family reunion with a foreigner. It sets two main conditions, and further sentences and subsections list exceptions. In the English translation, the foreigner must have one of these:

Section 29(1) sentence 2 and section 29(5) contain exceptions to the living-space and subsistence conditions for some residence titles. This article does not set them out.

  • a permanent settlement permit
  • an EU long-term residence permit
  • a temporary residence permit
  • an EU Blue Card
  • an ICT Card or a Mobile ICT Card
  • or be entitled to stay in the federal territory in accordance with section 18e

Sources for this part13

Is there a living space or income rule?

The second condition in section 29(1) is that sufficient living space must be available. Section 29(1) gives no size in square metres, and some cases are exceptions to the living-space condition.

Section 5(1) no. 1 AufenthG says that, as a rule, a residence title requires that the foreigner's subsistence is secure. Sections 5 and 29 give no amount.

For Lagos, the German Missions in Nigeria list 'proof of income' on their spouse visa page, under the documents of the person living in Germany. They say it is only required if the person in Germany is a DAAD scholarship holder.

Sources for this part1356

What if your spouse is a German citizen? (section 28)

Section 29 is about family reunion with a foreigner. For the spouse of a German, section 28(1) AufenthG applies. The German text says the residence permit is to be granted to the foreign spouse of a German 'wenn der Deutsche seinen gewöhnlichen Aufenthalt im Bundesgebiet hat' (if the German has his or her habitual residence in Germany).

The same section says the permit 'soll in der Regel abweichend von § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1' be issued in this case (as a rule, the permit does not depend on the subsistence condition in section 5(1) no. 1).

Section 28(1) also applies section 30(1) sentence 1 nos. 1 and 2, sentence 3 and section 30(2) sentence 1 to the spouse of a German. So the minimum age of 18 and the basic German rule are part of it, together with their exceptions.

Sources for this part2

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People also ask

What is the minimum age for a German spouse visa?

Section 30(1) AufenthG, in the English translation, says both spouses must be at least 18 years of age; section 30(2) allows an exception to avoid particular hardship. Section 28(1) applies these rules to the spouse of a German. 142

Do you need to speak German for a German spouse visa?

Section 30(1) AufenthG asks that the spouse can communicate in German at least on a basic level. The statute has exceptions in section 30(1) sentences 2 and 3 and section 30(2). 4

How much income does the sponsor need for a German spouse visa?

Section 5(1) no. 1 AufenthG asks as a rule that the foreigner's subsistence is secure. Sections 5 and 29 give no amount. The Lagos spouse visa page lists proof of income only for a DAAD scholarship holder. 156

How big must the home be for a German spouse visa?

Section 29(1) AufenthG says sufficient living space must be available, except in cases listed in section 29(1) sentence 2 and section 29(5). It gives no size. 13

Sources

  1. 1Residence Act (English translation, Federal Ministry of the Interior)OfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
  2. 2§ 28 AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
  3. 3§ 29 AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
  4. 4§ 30 AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
  5. 5§ 5 AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 31 Oct 2026
  6. 6Reunification with spouseOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 31 Oct 2026

Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.

General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.