Germany Issued Fewer Spousal Visas in 2024 as Many Applicants Failed Language Test

Germany issued 72,500 spousal visas in 2024 — a 6.1% drop from the 77,200 granted in 2023. The main reason behind the decrease? Most applicants couldn’t meet the mandatory A1-level language requirement.

Language Barrier Remains the Biggest Hurdle

According to the German Foreign Office, 62% of applicants passed the language test in 2024, compared to 65% in the previous year. This decline has directly impacted the number of approvals for spousal visas.

Language proficiency has increasingly become a structural barrier for family reunification outside the EU.

Which Nationalities Apply Most?

The most common applicants for spousal reunification are nationals of Türkiye, India, Kosovo, Russia, and Iran. The application must be initiated by the spouse residing in Germany, who is required to:

Hold a valid residence permit;

Have sufficient housing;

Prove financial stability.

The incoming spouse must be over 18 years old and pass a certified German language test at A1 level.

Die Linke Party: Language Requirement May Breach EU Law

Germany’s left-wing Die Linke party has questioned the legality of the language requirement under EU law, pointing to unequal treatment.

Foreign spouses of skilled workers are exempt from pre-entry language tests, as they can arrive in Germany first and then begin learning the language — a privilege not extended to others.

With growing concerns over integration and equality, the debate over spousal visa access is expected to intensify in 2025.