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Foster Child of an EU/EEA Citizen

GermanyFamily

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

Official link

Which family relationships qualify?

Unmarried children under 18 qualify if they are under the guardianship of, or in a foster-child relationship with, the EU citizen and are not family members (descendants) in the narrower sense; they are treated as close persons (nahestehende Personen).

See recorded sources

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

The sponsor is an EU (or EEA) citizen exercising free movement; the right may be conferred on application if the EU citizen will live with the foster child in Germany as a family for a longer period and the child depends on them.

See recorded sources

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

Documentary proof that the guardianship or foster-child relationship exists is required, together with proof of the child's dependence on the EU citizen.

See recorded sources

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

After a thorough examination of personal circumstances, the decision weighs whether the stay is necessary considering the relationship with the EU citizen and factors such as the degree of financial or physical dependence and degree of kinship. The official source states no fixed income, accommodation or insurance threshold.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No fixed income, accommodation or insurance threshold is stated.
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/freiz_gg_eu_2004/BJNR198600004.html
    (2) Bei der Entscheidung über die Verleihung eines Rechts nach Absatz 1 ist nach einer eingehenden Untersuchung der persönlichen Umstände maßgeblich zu berücksichtigen, ob der Aufenthalt der nahestehenden Person unter Berücksichtigung ihrer Beziehung zum Unionsbürger sowie von anderen Gesichtspunkten, wie dem Grad der finanziellen oder physischen Abhängigkeit oder dem Grad der Verwandtschaft zwischen ihr und dem Unionsbürger, im Hinblick auf einen in Absatz 1 genannten Anlass des Aufenthalts erforderlich ist.

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?

When the right is conferred, the authority issues a residence card for close persons, normally valid five years; holders may work. After five years of continuous lawful residence with the EU citizen, holders of this right acquire the permanent right of residence.

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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