Germany’s controversial suspension of family-reunification rights for people with subsidiary protection status is producing dramatic results. According to figures released on 3 January, German missions worldwide granted only two (§36 AufenthG) hardship visas between 31 July and 31 December 2025, despite 2,586 applications registered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The freeze was introduced as part of the government’s autumn 2025 migration package, which tightened border checks and allowed federal police to turn back asylum-seekers who had first registered in another EU country. Officials argued that pausing most family reunions for subsidiary-protected migrants—who are not recognised as refugees under the Geneva Convention—would relieve overburdened reception centres and speed up integration of those already in Germany.
Amid this uncertainty, VisaHQ’s Germany team can help affected families and employers explore viable visa alternatives or prepare for future reunification filings. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides up-to-date checklists, document translations, and application tracking, streamlining what has become an increasingly complex process under the new rules.
![Family-reunification freeze bites: Germany issues only two hardship visas in five months]()
Critics, including opposition MP Clara Bünger (Die Linke) and several NGOs, say the hardship criteria are so strict that they amount to a de-facto ban, separating thousands of Syrians and Afghans from spouses and children. They warn that the policy risks pushing desperate families toward irregular routes, undermining precisely the border-security goals the Interior Ministry cites.
For employers, the measure could have unintended consequences. Many subsidiary-protected workers are employed in logistics, hospitality and social care—sectors already facing severe shortages. HR managers report rising turnover as employees consider onward migration to more family-friendly jurisdictions such as Canada or Sweden.
Practically, companies should prepare for prolonged assignment planning: relocation advisers now recommend budgeting six to nine extra months for dependants of subsidiary-protected staff—or considering alternative residence permits (e.g., Blue Card or Opportunity Card) where family-reunion rights remain intact.
The freeze was introduced as part of the government’s autumn 2025 migration package, which tightened border checks and allowed federal police to turn back asylum-seekers who had first registered in another EU country. Officials argued that pausing most family reunions for subsidiary-protected migrants—who are not recognised as refugees under the Geneva Convention—would relieve overburdened reception centres and speed up integration of those already in Germany.
Amid this uncertainty, VisaHQ’s Germany team can help affected families and employers explore viable visa alternatives or prepare for future reunification filings. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides up-to-date checklists, document translations, and application tracking, streamlining what has become an increasingly complex process under the new rules.
Critics, including opposition MP Clara Bünger (Die Linke) and several NGOs, say the hardship criteria are so strict that they amount to a de-facto ban, separating thousands of Syrians and Afghans from spouses and children. They warn that the policy risks pushing desperate families toward irregular routes, undermining precisely the border-security goals the Interior Ministry cites.
For employers, the measure could have unintended consequences. Many subsidiary-protected workers are employed in logistics, hospitality and social care—sectors already facing severe shortages. HR managers report rising turnover as employees consider onward migration to more family-friendly jurisdictions such as Canada or Sweden.
Practically, companies should prepare for prolonged assignment planning: relocation advisers now recommend budgeting six to nine extra months for dependants of subsidiary-protected staff—or considering alternative residence permits (e.g., Blue Card or Opportunity Card) where family-reunion rights remain intact.
