Spouse of a German National

[dphillipsd]

Could anyone please advise on the type of visa required of a spouse of a German national seeking to relocate permanently to Germany - both spouse and the German national have resided outside the EU for the past 50 years. Aside from the via requirements, are there any additional requirements e.g. Language?

Thanks in advance.

[Wanderer]

Could anyone please advise on the type of visa required of a spouse of a German national seeking to relocate permanently to Germany - both spouse and the German national have resided outside the EU for the past 50 years. Aside from the via requirements, are there any additional requirements e.g. Language?

Thanks in advance.

There is a very strong language requirement, German's like u to speak German very well before they let you in...

Also wrt to German nationals living abroad for so long, have they not lost their German nationality by taking up another? - Germany does not allow dual nationality - worth checking....

[dphillipsd]

Thanks for the info - No she retains her German Citizenship and passport and still speaks fluent German; I am certain that she does not have dual nationality.

What type of VISA would be necessary for the non-German spouse? - a family reunion visa? How would one demonstrate the language requirement, and what is meant by proficiency; his German is basic at best.

Thanks again.

[Rozen]

Could anyone please advise on the type of visa required of a spouse of a German national seeking to relocate permanently to Germany - both spouse and the German national have resided outside the EU for the past 50 years. Aside from the via requirements, are there any additional requirements e.g. Language?

Thanks in advance.

There is a very strong language requirement, German's like u to speak German very well before they let you in...

Also wrt to German nationals living abroad for so long, have they not lost their German nationality by taking up another? - Germany does not allow dual nationality - worth checking....

Could they not go back to Germany under the EU rules, thus omitting the language requirement? I mean, provided the German national has been exercising his treaty rights in another country?

Oops! I've just noticed the "outside EU" bit!

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

If you want to move directly to Germany, then you will need to do it on the basis of German law. Best to contact your local German embassy for more details of the options.

If you want to move to the UK or the Netherlands or Austria or any other non-German EU country (or Switzerland I think), then in general you can do it on the basis of EU law. This is very easy and is based solely on you being married. I assume you are both retired, or will you be working? Should you later decide to move to Germany, you can again enter on the basis of EU law, and there will definitely be no requirement for language skills or anything else.

[dphillipsd]

Thanks for the update; much appreciated! Both retired, looking to move closer to our family

[cantaro]

Could anyone please advise on the type of visa required of a spouse of a German national seeking to relocate permanently to Germany - both spouse and the German national have resided outside the EU for the past 50 years. Aside from the via requirements, are there any additional requirements e.g. Language?

The visa is called 'Family Reunification Permit'. When my wife applied for one to come from Argentina to Germany, it was free of charge, it took a few weeks to be issued, the necessary documents were her passport, our marriage certificate with a German translation, and a couple of photos. There is no language requirement for entering the country as the spouse of a German citizen; to apply for permanent residence in Germany, however, usually possible after 3 years of residence as a spouse of a German citizen, certain knowledge of language, history and culture will have to be demonstrated.