Residence permit for spouses and children of holders of an EU Blue Card

• spouses,
• same-sex life partners or
• minor children

• temporary residence permit or
• permanent residence title or
• German citizenship?

Prerequisites

• Main residence in Berlin
  
  A second home in Berlin is not sufficient.
• Personal appointment
  
  • For families, all family members (spouses and minor children) must attend the interview together.
  • Please use the contact form to make an appointment with the relevant departments B 1 - 4 (see section “More information”).
  • Please send your appointment request at least 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.
• Living in a family unit
  
  You live together in a common housing.

Documents required

• Application for a residence permit (fully completed)
  
  Please fill in one form for each person who wishes to apply for a residence permit.
  (not necessary for the extension of the residence permit)
• Valid passport
• 1 current biometric photo
  
  Please note:
  

  • Since May 1, 2025, biometric passport photos may only be taken digitally at government offices or photo studios and transmitted via a secure electronic channel.
  • Please check the website of the Berlin Immigration Office (see “More information”) for the latest information in good time before your appointment.
• To join your spouse: marriage certificate
  
  (not necessary for the extension of the residence permit)
• To join your same sex civil partner: partnership certificate
  
  (not necessary for the extension of the residence permit)
• To join your parents: birth certificate
  
  (not necessary for the extension of the residence permit)
• In certain circumstances: proof of custody
  
  If you want to join one of your parents in Berlin, and the other parent does not live in Germany.
  (not necessary for the extension of the residence permit)
• For all foreign documents: translation, possibly with an additional apostil or confirmation of authenticity
  
  • Please provide an authenticated translation of all foreign documents.
  • Depending on your country of origin, you may also need an apostil or confirmation of authenticity (issued by a German consular official) for your document(s).
• Lease that states the current rental cost
• Health insurance
  
  Proof of a secure livelihood must also include sufficient health insurance. Those with statutory health insurance are sufficiently insured. Those with private health insurance must consider the type and extent of their health insurance.
  Please read the leaflet for more information.
• Proof that the livelihood of the family is / has been secured
  
  • Employment contract,
  • Current certificate of employment (not older than 14 days) and the
  • Last 6 salary slips
• Proof of your residence in Berlin
  
  • Certificate of registration at the main residence (Meldebestätigung) or
  • lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord

Forms

• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, English, French, Italian
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Serbian, Bosnian
• Information on adequate health insurance (leaflet)

Fees

For the first issuance of the residence permit:

• Adults: 100.00 euros
• Minors: 50.00 euros
• Turkish citizens: a maximum of 37.00 euros

• Adults: 93.00 euros
• Minors: 46.50 euros
• Turkish citizens: a maximum of 37.00 euros

Legal basis

• Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) §§ 27, 29, 30, 32

Average time to process request

After the appointment, it takes approximately 4 weeks for the residence permit to be issued as an electronic residence permit and ready for collection.

More information

• Contact forms for making an appointment in units B 1 - 4 (Berlin Immigration Office)
• Digital photos for residence documents from May 1, 2025 (Berlin Immigration Office)
• Residence permit for spouses of foreign nationals and other family members - general (service)
• Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Ehepartner und Kinder von Fachkräften, Studierenden, Auszubildenden, Wissenschaftlern und Lehrkräften (Dienstleistung)
• Residence permit for spouses, parents, and children of German citizens (service)
• Residence permit for spouses, parents, and children of persons entitled to subsidiary protection (service)
• Certificate of registration at the main residence (Melde-Bestätigung)
• Example: confirmation of occupancy from the landlord (Wohnungsgeber-Bestätigung)

Notes on responsibility

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Keplerstrasse.

Your point of contact

Download

Download page as PDF