Government is planning drastic restrictions on family reunification!

Government is planning drastic restrictions on family reunification!

The new government coalition made up of the CDU/CSU and SPD in Germany is planning to significantly tighten regulations in the area of ​​migration. According to a report by exxpress.at Two draft laws are to be passed by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt in the Bundestag. A central element of these initiatives is the restriction on family reunification for those entitled to subsidiary protection, which will no longer allow them to bring close relatives to Germany in the future.

According to Dobrindt, these measures are necessary to reduce the “pull factors” to Germany. However, the draft laws met with massive criticism. The refugee organization Pro Asyl described the plans as a “catastrophe for affected families” because they closed legal and safe escape routes. The migration and labor market expert Herbert Brücker also warned of the psychological stress that can arise from the separation of family members, which could also have a negative impact on integration.

Family reunification and legal framework conditions

The planned stop of family reunification for those entitled to subsidiary protection for two years is a direct result of these legal initiatives. Since 2015, those entitled to subsidiary protection have had the opportunity to bring spouses, children or parents to Germany. After an interruption, this regulation has been limited to a maximum of 1,000 visas per month since 2018. In 2024, German embassies began issuing around 120,000 visas for family reunification, including around 12,000 for relatives of those entitled to subsidiary protection. Over 80% of these visas went to Syrian nationals, such as mediendienst-integration.de reported.

There are currently around 351,400 people with subsidiary protection living in Germany, with over half of them having been in the country for over six years. The legal framework for family reunification is complex: While refugees entitled to asylum and recognized refugees have the right to privileged family reunification, those entitled to subsidiary protection are dependent on the national legislature because the EU directive on family reunification does not apply to them.

Consequences of the change in the law

However, the suspension of family reunification is legally controversial. The Federal Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights have already decided that a complete suspension is not permitted. The psychological pressure that comes from family separation could in fact lead to irregular migration, which experts like Dr. Benjamin Etzold from the Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies was highlighted. Studies show that these separations make integration very difficult and cause significant psychological stress for those affected.

In summary, it is clear that the planned changes to family reunification not only entail legal and bureaucratic challenges, but could also have serious social and psychological consequences for the families affected. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees documents the gaps in the current system, while future developments in migration policy should continue to be monitored critically, as detailed on the website BAMF can be read.