If your spouse, partner, parent or child is a German citizen or lives in Germany with a qualifying residence permit, you may be able to join them. For a spouse the usual requirements are proof of your relationship, basic German (level A1), and a secured income, housing and health insurance for the household. The Philippines also asks you to register with the CFO before you leave.
This guide explains the rules in plain words, using German embassy information and Philippine government pages. Each point links to its source so you can check it yourself. Your exact case depends on who you are joining and their residence status, so confirm the details with the German embassy.
What you need
A qualifying relationship
You need a legal marriage or registered partnership with a person who is a German citizen or holds a qualifying German residence permit. For spouses, both of you must be at least 18. Proof of the relationship usually means documents such as an apostilled and translated marriage certificate.
Basic German: level A1
Under § 30 of the German Residence Act, a joining spouse must in most cases show simple German (level A1) before entering. There are exceptions:
- The A1 requirement is waived if your sponsoring spouse holds an EU Blue Card.
- It does not apply to spouses of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who are using their free-movement rights in Germany.
- A case-by-case exception exists if learning German before you leave is genuinely not possible or not reasonable, for example because no course is available. This is decided individually and is not guaranteed.
Income, housing and health insurance
Your sponsor must be able to support the household, with adequate housing and health insurance. There is no single fixed income figure: the amount is calculated against the current Bürgergeld basic-needs rates plus rent, health insurance and other costs.
The Philippine side
These steps are separate from the German visa. Skipping them can get you denied departure at the airport, even with a valid visa.
- CFO registration. According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) checklist for Germany, a spouse or registered partner joining a German citizen, or a foreign national with German permanent residence, attends the Guidance and Counseling Program. A child or stepchild joining a German citizen or Filipino permanent resident, a parent joining a German citizen, and a spouse joining a Filipino permanent resident attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar instead. For other relatives the checklist does not say, so call the CFO at (02) 8552-4700 local 787 to confirm.
- DSWD travel clearance for a child. A minor child traveling to Germany without the parent who is already there needs a travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It is not needed if the child travels together with the parent, and children under 13 cannot travel alone regardless of clearance.
Where do I start?
- Confirm your family member’s exact German residence status, since it decides whether the A1 rule applies.
- If A1 is required, book a recognized German test such as Goethe or telc.
- Start collecting and apostilling your relationship documents early.
- Register with the CFO for the program that matches your relationship.
- If a child will travel without the parent, apply for the DSWD travel clearance.
Want to know exactly where you stand? Answer a few questions and get a free roadmap that shows what you already meet, what is missing and your next steps for joining your family.
Need German for the A1 test? Find language schools and exam centers. Other routes: working in Germany.
Official sources
- German embassy: language requirements for spouse reunification (in German)
- German embassy: frequently asked questions on family reunification (in German)
- Commission on Filipinos Overseas: visa class checklist
- Philippine Embassy Berlin: DSWD travel clearance for minors
Last checked: September 20, 2026. This is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Figures change, so confirm them on the official pages.