Bring your family to Rhineland-Palatinate
You want to live together with your family in Rhineland-Palatinate? Spouses, civil partners, and underage children can move to their family members in Germany. The requirements that need to be met depend on their nationality. For EU citizens, family reunification is usually possible without any restrictions, while citizens of third countries require a family reunification visa.
Overview of family reunification
EU citizens
Your family can enter Germany and live and work there without any restrictions. A special residence permit isn’t necessary for this.
Third countries
Partners from third countries need a family reunification visa. An application will need to be filed for this at the German embassy.
Requirements
Evidence of a lawful residence status, health insurance, and sufficient financial resources will need to be provided to apply for a family reunification visa.
Children
Children aged 16 or younger will automatically receive a residence permit. For children older than this, there are special rules.
Family-friendly Rhineland-Palatinate
Children in Rhineland-Palatinate enjoy free education – from daycare to university. Thanks to the Future of Daycare Act, since January 2020 girls and boys have been able to attend daycare facilities free of charge starting at just two years of age. This means your children are in the best of hands, letting your family and work lives dovetail more easily.
Ask me anything – career and family life in Germany
How can you create the best balance possible between your family and your career in Germany? In this video, Marina – a native of Russia – answers many questions regarding childcare and shares a number of tips about how she juggled her children and her job while still making progress in her career.
Daycare for the youngest children
For infants aged three years or younger. The admission age varies from between three months and one year. The care times are organized flexibly.
Free starting at two years of age
From two years of age until primary school. Childcare is free in Rhineland-Palatinate. Enroll your child early because places are limited.
Family-style care
Childcare in small groups up to age three. More personal childcare in a family atmosphere, often in the carer’s own home.
Childcare even after class
Most schools offer full-day supervision with lunch, homework help, and recreational activities.
Explanatory video: The child benefit
In Germany, if you have a child, you are entitled to a monthly payment called “child benefit” (Kindergeld). You get paid this benefit for each of your children up until their 25th birthday at most. This video shows you how to apply for the child benefit and what you need to observe.
The school system in Rhineland-Palatinate
In Rhineland-Palatinate, school is compulsory for children and adolescents from ages six to 18.
Your child’s education pathway
Elementary school (grades 1 to 4)
- At elementary school, children learn the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as much more.
- Preparation for secondary schools.
Secondary schools (grades 5 and up)
- At secondary schools, students get their first secondary school diploma after 9th grade and a second diploma after 10th grade.
They can get a further secondary school diploma after 12 or 13 years of school, and this will entitle them to study at a university or institution of higher education.
In general, you can choose your child’s secondary school freely. There are also numerous private schools; these charge tuition fees.