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Family of a Returning German after Genuine EU Free Movement

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which family relationships qualify?

The same family members qualify as for EU citizens: spouse, registered life partner, descendants of the person or spouse/partner under 21 or maintained, and maintained ascendants.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/freiz_gg_eu_2004/BJNR198600004.html
    3. sind Familienangehörige einer Person a) der Ehegatte, b) der Lebenspartner, c) die Verwandten in gerader absteigender Linie der Person oder des Ehegatten oder des Lebenspartners, die das 21. Lebensjahr noch nicht vollendet haben oder denen von diesen Unterhalt gewährt wird, und d) die Verwandten in gerader aufsteigender Linie der Person oder des Ehegatten oder des Lebenspartners, denen von diesen Unterhalt gewährt wird,

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The sponsor must be a German national who has made sustained use of the right of free movement under Article 21 TFEU, e.g. by working in another EU state or living there for a prolonged period and then returning; the more favourable EU-citizen family rules then apply instead of the rules for joining Germans.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The authority may require a recognised valid passport, proof of the family relationship (for descendants and ascendants, documentary proof of the age/maintenance conditions) and the registration certificate of the person being joined.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/freiz_gg_eu_2004/BJNR198600004.html
    (2) Die zuständige Behörde darf von Familienangehörigen in den Fällen des § 5 Absatz 2 oder für die Ausstellung der Aufenthaltskarte einen anerkannten oder sonst zugelassenen gültigen Pass oder Passersatz und zusätzlich Folgendes verlangen: 1. einen Nachweis über das Bestehen der familiären Beziehung, bei Verwandten in absteigender und aufsteigender Linie einen urkundlichen Nachweis über Voraussetzungen des § 1 Absatz 2 Nummer 3, 2. eine Meldebestätigung des Unionsbürgers, den die Familienangehörigen begleiten oder dem sie nachziehen.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Where the person being joined is not economically active, the right exists only with sufficient health insurance cover and sufficient means of subsistence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Applies by analogy via §12a FreizügG/EU; how the non-working condition applies to a returning German is not spelled out.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Non-EU family members need an entry visa (free of charge), then receive within six months a residence card for family members of Union citizens, normally valid five years. After five years of continuous lawful residence with the sponsor they obtain a permanent right of residence; a permanent residence card is issued within six months of application.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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