Germany’s conservative-led government suspended the right to family reunification for refugees who hold only “subsidiary protection” on 24 July 2025. The controversial measure was sold as a two-year "pause" to relieve pressure on municipalities, accommodation centres and schools. Three months later, a parliamentary question by Left-party MP Clara Bünger has revealed that not a single visa has yet been issued under the narrowly defined hardship exemption that was meant to soften the blow. According to the Foreign Office, around 1,500 applications have been registered and are being examined with help from the International Organization for Migration, but none has reached the approval stage.
The freeze hits mainly Syrians whose asylum claims were partly recognised but who do not meet the stricter Geneva-Convention test. Before the measure, roughly 12,000 spouses and children per year were allowed to join such beneficiaries. Migration lawyers warn that the sudden interruption separates families indefinitely, increases trauma and pushes people to attempt risky irregular journeys. Municipal integration officers say it also undermines social cohesion: many affected workers are already employed and paying taxes in Germany but must now support dependants who remain in war zones.
Politically, the numbers feed opposition accusations that the regulation was designed to be so restrictive that almost nobody would qualify. The Interior Ministry insists the policy is constitutional and proportionate, arguing that Germany carried out 17,651 deportations between January and September—20 % more than in 2024—and that reception systems are stretched to breaking point. Human-rights groups counter that Germany’s labour market cannot afford to alienate well-integrated employees at a time of record skills shortages.
For global mobility and HR managers, the message is clear: staff members in subsidiary-protection status should not expect to bring in family during at least the next 21 months. Companies that rely on Syrian, Afghan or Eritrean talent will need to expand wellness and mental-health support and consider family-friendly postings in neighbouring EU states. Immigration advisers also recommend reviewing assignment contracts to reflect the new reality and, where feasible, exploring alternative residence titles, such as the Skilled-Worker Act pathway, that still permit reunification.
In the medium term, the freeze could influence intra-EU talent flows. Countries such as Spain and Portugal, which still allow reunification, may become more attractive to multicultural workforces, forcing German employers to raise salaries or offer additional perks to retain key employees.
The freeze hits mainly Syrians whose asylum claims were partly recognised but who do not meet the stricter Geneva-Convention test. Before the measure, roughly 12,000 spouses and children per year were allowed to join such beneficiaries. Migration lawyers warn that the sudden interruption separates families indefinitely, increases trauma and pushes people to attempt risky irregular journeys. Municipal integration officers say it also undermines social cohesion: many affected workers are already employed and paying taxes in Germany but must now support dependants who remain in war zones.
Politically, the numbers feed opposition accusations that the regulation was designed to be so restrictive that almost nobody would qualify. The Interior Ministry insists the policy is constitutional and proportionate, arguing that Germany carried out 17,651 deportations between January and September—20 % more than in 2024—and that reception systems are stretched to breaking point. Human-rights groups counter that Germany’s labour market cannot afford to alienate well-integrated employees at a time of record skills shortages.
For global mobility and HR managers, the message is clear: staff members in subsidiary-protection status should not expect to bring in family during at least the next 21 months. Companies that rely on Syrian, Afghan or Eritrean talent will need to expand wellness and mental-health support and consider family-friendly postings in neighbouring EU states. Immigration advisers also recommend reviewing assignment contracts to reflect the new reality and, where feasible, exploring alternative residence titles, such as the Skilled-Worker Act pathway, that still permit reunification.
In the medium term, the freeze could influence intra-EU talent flows. Countries such as Spain and Portugal, which still allow reunification, may become more attractive to multicultural workforces, forcing German employers to raise salaries or offer additional perks to retain key employees.
