Germany issued 110,388 family reunification visas in 2025, according to figures the federal government gave the Bundestag this month. In the first five months of 2026 alone, a further 43,739 were granted — a pace that, if it continued for the rest of the year, would land close to last year’s total.
The numbers at a glance
- 2025 (full year): 17,823 spousal visas granted to join German citizens; 92,565 other family reunification visas
- 2026 (January–May): 7,946 spousal visas to join German citizens; 35,793 other family reunification visas
- 2025 total: 110,388 family reunification visas issued
- Source: Federal government answer to a parliamentary question from the AfD, published 10 July 2026
What the figures cover
The government’s answer, given in response to a parliamentary question from the AfD parliamentary group, splits family reunification visas (Familiennachzug) into two groups. The first is spousal visas issued specifically to join a German citizen (Ehegattennachzug zu deutschen Staatsbürgern) — that is, foreign nationals marrying or already married to a German passport holder. The second, larger category covers all other family reunification visas, which includes spouses and children joining foreign nationals already living in Germany, among other relatives.
In 2025, spousal visas to German citizens made up a relatively small share of the total: 17,823 out of 110,388, or roughly one in six. The remaining 92,565 visas went to people joining family members who are themselves foreign nationals residing in Germany, such as skilled workers or people with residence permits.
How 2026 compares so far
The first five months of 2026 saw 7,946 spousal visas to German citizens and 35,793 other family reunification visas, for a combined 43,739. That is already close to 40 percent of the entire 2025 total after less than half the year — a pace that, extended across all twelve months, would put 2026 in a similar range to 2025, though the government’s figures only cover January through May and do not include a forecast for the rest of the year.
The government’s answer does not give reasons for the numbers, and [VERIFY: whether processing delays, embassy capacity, or policy changes account for month-to-month variation] is not addressed in the response. It also does not break down the figures by country of origin or by consulate.
What it means for people living in Germany
If you are a foreign national married to a German citizen, or planning to bring a spouse, child, or other close relative to Germany, these figures are a reminder that the process runs through a German embassy or consulate abroad, not a local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). Typical steps include booking an appointment at the relevant German mission, providing a valid marriage or birth certificate, and — for many spouse visas — proof of basic German language skills.
- Start the visa application at the German embassy or consulate in your home country, not after arrival in Germany.
- Check current language requirements and required documents with your local German mission, as these can vary by country and visa type.
- Keep in mind that processing times were not published in this government answer; ask your embassy directly for current wait times [VERIFY: current processing times by location].
The figures themselves don’t change any rules — they are a snapshot released in response to a parliamentary question. But they give a rare, concrete sense of scale for a process that affects tens of thousands of families every year.
Reporting based on the German Bundestag’s press release “Zahl erteilter Visa zum Familiennachzug in 2025 und 2026” (hib 576/2026), published 10 July 2026, summarising the federal government’s answer to a parliamentary question from the AfD parliamentary group.
Understand Germany, in plain English. Sign up for The New German newsletter for the news that matters to internationals living here.
Leave a Reply