Refugee family reunification in Germany - what you need to know

Refugee family reunification in Germany was a major sticking point in preliminary coalition talks. DW explains how the process works – and why critics want to lift the current ban permanently.

Fleeing war and coming to Germany as a refugee is not an easy step. After arrival, one of the highest priorities for refugees from Syria, Iraq or northern Africa is to bring their families from dangerous war zones or refugee camps to a safe home in Germany.

In spring 2016, the German government passed a new regulation on family reunification, which slowed down the process.

But after the country's general election in September, questions over the future of the families of more than one million refugees who arrived in Germany since 2015 has taken on an even more critical dimension.

The issue was a major sticking point in failed exploratory coalition talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party CSU, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the Green party.

How does family reunification work?
In general, someone who has been granted asylum or refugee status has the right to bring immediate family members to Germany, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Immediate family members include the spouse, children and – only if the refugee is a minor – siblings and parents. The family member who traveled to Germany has to apply for family reunification as soon as possible after having been granted asylum. They don't need to prove that they can support themselves or that they have adequate living space as a precondition for family members entering the country. - Read More - dw

Refugee family reunification in Germany - what you need to know ...

Asylum requests: a good interpreter can make all the difference