As a third-country national family member of a national of the European Union (EU) or a state of the European Economic Area (EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), you have the right to move freely with your reference person in the European Union, to enter and reside in any member state if the conditions under EU law are met. This also includes the free choice of residence in the member states of the European Union.

A third-country national is a person who is not a national of an EU member state, the EEA or Switzerland.

"Family members" are the following persons:

• Spouses, life partners and relatives in the direct descending line (e.g. children) and their spouses/life partners, provided they are under 21 years of age, and
• relatives of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement in the direct ascending and direct descending line (older children, grandchildren as well as parents and grandparents) or their spouses or life partners to whom the EU citizens or their spouses or life partners provide support.

If the EU or EEA citizen is studying in Germany, the group of family members entitled to join them is limited to spouses and life partners as well as children who are granted maintenance.

If you are a family member from a third country, you will need a visa to enter Germany, unless you can enter without a visa.

During the first three months of your stay in Germany, your stay is only subject to the condition that you have a family relationship with the reference person entitled to freedom of movement, that you are accompanying this person and that you are in possession of a recognized or otherwise approved passport or passport substitute.

For a stay of more than three months, you will need a residence card, which will be issued to you ex officio by the immigration authority within six months.

In this case, the foreigners authority will check that the conditions for freedom of movement are met. Among other things, it may request proof of the family relationship with the reference person (e.g. documentary evidence). In addition, you may be required to provide proof that the reference person has actually exercised their right to freedom of movement (e.g. by submitting a registration certificate). If the reference person you are accompanying or joining is not gainfully employed, you should also be able to provide proof of sufficient resources and adequate health insurance cover (this also applies to any children accompanying you). Proof of language skills is generally not required to obtain a residence card.

Your stay in Germany is considered legal until a decision has been made on the issuing of the residence card.

When the residence card is issued, the existence of the right to freedom of movement is established. The residence card is usually issued for five years, unless a shorter period of time results from the residence of your reference person from whom you derive your right of residence.

If you have not yet reached the age of 18, a person entitled to your personal care must consent to your planned stay in Germany.