Immigration & Visa
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Bringing family to Germany, travelling on your permit, and keeping your status safe.
Bringing your spouse and children to GermanyHolders of most residence titles can bring their spouse and minor children, provided they have sufficient income and living space. Spouses usually need basic German (A1) before the visa — with important exceptions.
What your Aufenthaltstitel lets you do in the Schengen areaA valid German residence permit lets you travel visa-free to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180 — but it does not allow you to work there, and re-entry to Germany has its own rules.
Renewing your permit and what you must reportApply for renewal well before expiry — processing backlogs are normal. As long as you applied in time, the Fiktionsbescheinigung keeps your status and work permission alive while you wait.