Moving to Germany with family

Question

When moving to Germany from your home country, is it better for the whole family to move together, or should one person go first to settle in before inviting the family through a family reunion visa?

Sophie P · Accepted Answer

Hi Wanjiku, that's a great question!  Whether it’s better to move to Germany with your whole family at once or to go ahead alone and have your loved ones join you later through family reunification really depends on your individual situation. Both options have their advantages:  If all the formalities are already taken care of – such as visas, qualification recognition, a job offer, and housing – moving together can be a great choice. It avoids long separations, helps children transition more smoothly into school, and allows your spouse or partner to start integrating right away. Logistical things like settling in and managing everyday life can often be easier when done as a family.  That said, many international doctors choose to move to Germany alone first. This gives you the chance to fully focus on getting started with your job, recognition process, and finding a stable place to live. Once you're settled, your family can join you through a family reunion visa. For that, you’ll typically need to prove sufficient income, adequate living space, and health insurance. In most cases, your spouse will also need to show basic German language skills (A1 level). Processing times usually range from 1 to 3 months, but this can vary depending on the embassy.  You can find all the official information from Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) here: 👉🏼 https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Familie/familie-node.html  And if you’d like support making the right decision or navigating the process, we’re happy to help with a personal visa consultation: 👉🏼 https://get2germany.com/en/services/visa  Wishing you and your family a smooth and successful start in Germany! Warm regards, Sophie from Get2Germany

Ngum B · Answer

I moved with my family. Moving with a family requires a certain level of financial readiness, considering the costs involved such as securing an apartment for everyone and purchasing flight tickets.