Despite government restrictions intended to curb immigration, over 100,000 foreign nationals have already entered Germany this year through family reunification, according to figures released by the Foreign Ministry and reported by “Welt am Sonntag”. As of the end of November 2024, 101,756 family reunification visas were issued, a figure that highlights ongoing challenges in managing migration flows despite policy adjustments.
The data reveals a demographic skew in the approvals. Turkish nationals (14,907) and Syrians (13,148) comprised the largest groups, followed by Indian (9,286), Kosovar (7,143) and Albanian (4,426) citizens. The visa categories encompass a range of familial relationships: approximately 37,200 visas facilitated the reunification of children with their parents, 3,500 reunited parents with their children and 44,400 brought spouses to individuals already residing in Germany. A further 16,300 visas were granted to spouses of German citizens.
This level of family reunification underscores a complex political landscape. While 2024 is showing a slight decrease from the record high of over 130,000 reunification visas issued in 2023, the sheer volume of approvals raises questions about the effectiveness of government policy. The recent suspension of family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection status – predominantly Syrian civil war refugees – implemented in July, was intended to limit inflows. Preliminary figures suggest this measure has had a tangible, albeit limited, impact; only approximately 2,000 visas have been granted to Syrians since the suspension, compared to the pre-suspension average of around 1,000 monthly arrivals for “subsidiaries”. This suggests the policy is more of a slowdown than a halt.
Currently, German law primarily grants family reunification rights to the nuclear family – spouses and minor children. Exceptions have been introduced – most significantly, a March 2024 reform expanding eligibility to include parents and in-laws of highly skilled workers and specialists capable of financially supporting their families. However, the impact of this provision has been minimal, with only around 150 eligible individuals reuniting with their families by the end of November.
The ongoing influx despite government efforts fuels a debate within Germany regarding the sustainability and societal impact of current immigration policies, particularly concerning the strain on resources and integration infrastructure. The relatively small number of reunifications involving high-skilled workers also invites scrutiny, calling into question whether the system is effectively prioritizing economic immigration as policymakers claim. A deeper analysis of the socioeconomic profiles of those granted reunification visas is anticipated to inform future policy adjustments.
