Unmarried Partner Options
Hi there, my boyfriend is in the process of obtaining an EU Bluecard for a job he's been offered in Germany. I understand that as his unmarried partner, I am not entitled to accompany him.
However, we recently inherited over £100k, and would be able to show proof that he is able to cover all my financial requirements. Would I be able to obtain a residence / long-stay permit on the basis that he agrees to carry out a Declaration of Commitment?
If not, and our only option is to marry, is there any minimum duration we need to have been married (i.e. 3 months, 1 year etc), or would I immediately be eligible to apply for the family reunification visa as his spouse? Are there any other considerations (e.g. country the marriage took place in, etc.)?
Thanks! :)
Reply (3)
Hi @VicGos , thank you for contacting us. As an unmarried partner, you cannot directly accompany your boyfriend on his EU Blue Card. A declaration of commitment can be submitted as proof of financial support for the following visas: Student Visa, Vocational Training Visa, Jobseeker's Visa, Marriage Visa, Visa to attend a language course/school, Visa to seek a vocational training or university program and Visa for family reunification: https://handbookgermany.de/en/declaration-of-commitment-national-visa
I think marriage is the most straightforward path for you to join your boyfriend in Germany. There's no minimum period of marriage required for a family reunification visa: https://handbookgermany.de/en/family-reunification-for-immigrants Please, also check if this is an option for you: https://handbookgermany.de/en/marriage#faq_484
I advise you to contact the Association of Binational Families and Partnerships: https://www.verband-binationaler.de/beratung
They speak English and can advise you on the best course of action and help you navigate the application process. You can also ask for advice in the forum, e.g. see if others have had similar questions or topics and write your questions below + tag the person (with @). Best Barbara
Thank you so much for your help on this Barbara! You have been more informative than every other source I have looked at :)
Just one more question from me. If we were to marry, I would prefer not to change my surname. Is this likely to be an issue when applying for a family reunification visa as a spouse?
:) you are welcome. Having a different last name than your spouse should generally not be an issue for a family reunification visa application.