Spousal Visas (Familiennachzug): Can Your Partner Work in Germany?

The Immigration Package Deal

When a married professional decides to move to Germany, the biggest stress factor isn't their own job—it's their spouse's career.

If you secure a visa to live in Germany, you can bring your husband or wife with you through a process called Familiennachzug (Family Reunification).

But once your spouse arrives in Germany, are they legally allowed to get a job? The answer depends entirely on the specific visa you (the main applicant) are holding.

Scenario 1: You are a Student (16b Visa)

If you move to Germany to study a Master's degree, bringing your spouse is incredibly difficult, but possible. You must prove you have enough money in a blocked account to support both of you (roughly €22,000+ per year) and that your apartment is large enough.

Can your spouse work? Usually, Yes. Under recent legal updates, spouses of international students are generally granted full access to the German labor market (Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet). They can work full-time, part-time, or even start a business, while you are restricted to your 140-day student limit.

Scenario 2: You Hold a Standard Work Visa (18a / 18b)

If you were hired by a German company but your salary was too low for a Blue Card, you receive a standard work visa.

Can your spouse work? Yes. Spouses of skilled workers are granted unrestricted access to the labor market.

The Trap: To get the spousal visa approved in the first place, your spouse must normally pass an A1 German Language Test at the Goethe-Institut in their home country before they are allowed to fly to Germany.

Scenario 3: You Hold an EU Blue Card

This is the VIP immigration path.

If you hold an EU Blue Card, your spouse is treated like royalty by the German immigration system.

Unrestricted Work: Your spouse is instantly granted full, unrestricted working rights from Day 1.

No Language Requirement: Your spouse is completely exempt from the A1 German language requirement. They do not need to take any tests before moving to Germany.

Because of the massive benefits for your family, you should do everything in your power to negotiate your salary over the Blue Card threshold. Use our EU Blue Card Calculator to see exactly how much you need to earn to protect your spouse's career.