Prabhu

Does the 12-month rule (§ 51 Abs. 10) apply to a spouse on an "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" (§ 30) in Frankfurt?

Hello Community,

I am an EU Blue Card holder living in Frankfurt. My wife traveled to India on August 15, 2025, for the birth of our child and will return in February/March 2026—meaning she will be outside Germany for more than 6 months.

Her Card Details:

• Type of Permit: Aufenthaltserlaubnis

• Legal Basis: Section 30 (Family Reunification)

• Validity: Valid until May 20, 2028

My Concern:

I understand that under Section 51 (10) AufenthG, Blue Card holders and their family members can stay abroad for up to 12 months. However, my wife's card specifically says "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" and not "Blue Card."

Could you please confirm:

1. Is her Section 30 permit legally covered by my 12-month Blue Card privilege?

2. Since we are in Frankfurt, do I need to get a specific re-entry certificate (Bescheinigung) for her to show the airline in India?

3. Is there a specific email for the Frankfurt Service Center for International Professionals where I should notify them of her stay?

Thank you!

1 Comments

Reply (1)

v.lafourcade

Hello,

Thanks for sharing the details. A few points to consider:

Contacting the Ausländerbehörde in advance: Ideally, it’s always best to notify the Ausländerbehörde before your spouse leaves Germany, especially when the stay abroad might exceed the usual limits. This helps avoid any surprises at re-entry. However, if I understand correctly, it's too late for this.
Legal stay abroad: According to §30 AufenthG, there is not an explicit length of absence allowed for her but generally with Aufenthaltstitel, it is 6 months. As there is a pregnancy and child involved, there may be exceptions.
Practical support: Since this is a nuanced case, it’s highly recommended to consult an organization like Caritas Frankfurt – Migration & Refugees or https://www.drkfrankfurt.de/angebote/beratung/migrationsberatung.html and, if possible, visit them in person. They can give precise guidance on re-entry, necessary certificates, and any exceptions due to special circumstances like having a newborn.

Wishing you and your family a smooth return to Germany! Violeta