Despite government restrictions aimed at curbing 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 had been issued, sparking renewed debate about the efficacy and long-term societal impact of German immigration policy.
The largest groups granted visas were Turkish nationals (14,907) and Syrian citizens (13,148), followed by Indian (9,286), Kosovar (7,143) and Albanian (4,426) nationals. A significant portion of these visas – approximately 37,200 – facilitated the reunification of children with their parents, while 3,500 allowed parents to join their children. Around 44,400 were granted to spouses of foreign nationals already residing in Germany and 16,300 to spouses holding German citizenship.
The figures reveal a persistent pattern, with over 100,000 reunification visas issued for the first time in 2016, peaking at over 130,000 in 2023. While numbers have slightly decreased this year, the current rate remains high, prompting questions about the effectiveness of policies intended to curtail the trend.
A temporary suspension implemented in July 2024, prohibiting family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection status – predominantly Syrian refugees – appears to have had a demonstrable, albeit limited, effect. Prior to the suspension, up to 1,000 such dependents were permitted to enter Germany monthly. Post-suspension, the number of family reunification visas issued to Syrians plummeted to approximately 2,000 out of a total of roughly 13,000, underlining the immediate impact of the imposed restriction. Critics argue that the measure is a reactive and potentially inadequate response to broader concerns about immigration strain.
Current legislation primarily restricts family reunification to the nuclear family – spouses and minor children. Exceptions have been introduced, notably since March 2024, allowing for the reunification of parents and in-laws of highly qualified workers and skilled professionals who can independently support their entire families. However, utilization of this provision has been minimal, with only around 150 dependents benefiting from it through the end of November, raising questions about its practical value compared to the resources dedicated to its implementation. The relatively small numbers leveraging this pathway suggest a need for further analysis of its accessibility and inclusivity.
The ongoing influx, despite measures intended to restrain it, is expected to fuel further political debate concerning immigration levels, integration challenges and the capacity of German social infrastructure to accommodate new arrivals.