Germany has granted a record 121,000 family reunification visas so far in 2023 to non-European Union (EU) nationals seeking to join family members already in the country, surpassing last year’s figure of 117,000.
This brings the total number welcomed through this channel in the last decade to around 930,000, according to the German Federal Foreign Office.
The Rise in Family Reunification Visas
The 121,000 family reunion visas issued from January to November 2023 exceeded the previous record of 117,992 set in 2017.
While the number dropped slightly from 2018 to 2020, it rose again to 104,640 in 2021 before reaching 117,034 in 2022.
Spouses, registered partners, parents, and unmarried minor children are eligible to migrate to Germany through family reunification to join their family members already in the country
Those who receive these visas can immediately begin working in Germany once they obtain a residence permit.
Impact on Immigration Figures
Those granted family reunion visas are not included in asylum statistics from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
However, many are likely relatives of recognized refugees.
Along with 304,581 first-time asylum applications filed in Germany through November, the total non-EU migration this year via both asylum and family reunification is estimated at around 425,000.
Warnings Over ‘Chain Migration’
Some sounded alarms over the potential impact of chain migration in Germany years ago.
In 2018, former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell noted Chancellor Angela Merkel had “suffered politically by not having a plan that was implemented properly.”
He warned of the implications of chain migration, saying, “Who else gets to come in, and are we checking them? These are challenges for Germany.”
Calls to Expand Family Reunification
Germany's current governing coalition has pushed to relax family reunification rules further.
In June 2023, the Bundestag voted to allow migrant workers to bring not only close relatives but also extended family members.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck stated last year that increased immigration was needed to fill over 1 million job vacancies in areas like engineering and caregiving.
However, many asylum seekers have far higher unemployment rates than native Germans
Syrians have just a 35% employment rate, while only 45% of Afghans work.
Low education levels are cited as one factor.
The Impact of Mass Migration
Germany has undergone major demographic changes due to high migration.
A 2019 report predicted up to one-third of German residents could have migrant backgrounds by 2040, reaching 70% in some cities.
It remains unclear what percentage of new arrivals through family reunions will fill skilled labor gaps rather than rely on social benefits.
The Impact on EU Visitors and Immigrants
The rising number of family reunification visas granted in Germany could lead to tighter immigration controls for EU citizens in the future.
Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so citizens of most EU countries can currently travel there without a visa.
However, the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) set to launch in May 2025 will require EU visitors to obtain pre-travel authorization.
If migration continues rising, ETIAS requirements could become more stringent.
EU citizens hoping to immigrate long-term to Germany for work, study, or family reunification may also face increased vetting if migration increases strain on infrastructure and social services.
Potential Changes to EU Immigration Policies
EU nations agreed to temporarily lift visa requirements for Ukrainians fleeing war, but no such openness has been shown toward other nationalities arriving in Germany through family reunions.
If migration rises substantially, Germany could push for tighter EU-wide immigration policies or opt-outs allowing it to set its own limits on visas issued to certain nationalities.
Tensions over burden-sharing could also grow between Germany and other EU states if they continue accepting far more asylum seekers and family members.
This could impact negotiations over the next phase of the ETIAS program after 2025.
The Road Ahead
With the governing coalition pushing for greater leniency in family reunification criteria, immigration through this channel is likely to remain high or increase further in the coming years.
Monitoring the integration outcomes of these new residents will be key to evaluating current immigration policies.