Over 100,000 People Reunited with Family in Germany in 2025 Amid Policy Changes

In 2025, Germany saw more than 100,000 individuals enter the country through family reunification, marking a significant migration trend. According to recent data, a total of 101,756 visas related to family reunification had been issued by the end of November 2025. Among these, approximately 44,400 visas were granted to spouses, 37,200 to minor children, and 3,500 to parents of residents who are not German citizens. The majority of these newcomers originated from Turkey (nearly 15,000) and Syria (around 13,100).

This figure reflects a decline from 130,000 visas issued in 2023, primarily due to the suspension of family reunification rights for those with subsidiary protection status as of July 2025. This suspension limits family reunification for these refugees, predominantly Syrians, to exceptional "hardship cases." The family reunification policy generally applies to spouses, minor children, and in some cases, parents, of foreign nationals residing in Germany.

The reduction highlights how policy adjustments are influencing migration flows, balancing humanitarian concerns and regulatory control. The ongoing changes underscore Germany's evolving approach to managing migration within the framework of family reunification, particularly amidst the significant share of migrants from Turkey and Syria.