Family Reunification Visas in Germany Drop in 2025 Amid Suspension for Certain Refugees

In 2025, more than 100,000 people came to Germany under family reunification visas, marking a decrease from previous peak levels. According to official data, by the end of November 2025, 101,756 family reunification visas had been issued. This comprised 44,400 for spouses, 37,200 for children, and 3,500 for parents. The majority of entrants originated from Turkey, with nearly 15,000, followed by approximately 13,100 from Syria, along with applicants from India, Kosovo, and Albania.

This decline from the 130,000 visas granted in 2023 is largely attributed to the suspension of family reunification for those with subsidiary protection status, a policy implemented in July 2025 by the German government. The suspension particularly affects refugees from the Syrian civil war, who previously were allowed to bring up to 1,000 family members per month. Under the current regulation, family reunification for these individuals is only permitted in exceptional hardship cases.

Family reunification policies mainly facilitate dependent spouses, minor children, and in some cases, parents of non-German residents in Germany. Aside from those with subsidiary protection, visa issuance remained stable, including approximately 16,300 visas for spouses of German nationals.

This development represents a significant shift from the 2016 milestone when family reunification visas first exceeded 100,000 annually, followed by a peak in 2023. The reduction in visas is seen as a direct consequence of policy changes aimed at regulating migration flows.

The figures reflect ongoing demographic and geopolitical dynamics influencing migration to Germany, with the Turkish and Syrian populations continuing to be predominant among family reunification applicants, underscoring the enduring ties between Germany and these countries.