Ethnic German Repatriate Visa (Spaetaussiedler)
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 36500 days
- Processing time
- 6-24 months (admission procedure at BVA)
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- Unlimited (leads to German citizenship)
- Entry
- Single entry
Under the Federal Expellees Act (Bundesvertriebenengesetz/BVFG), ethnic Germans (Spaetaussiedler) from the former Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries can apply for admission to Germany. Applicants must have been born before January 1, 1993, be descended from a German national or member of the German ethnic group, and demonstrate commitment to German nationality. Basic German language skills (sufficient for a simple conversation) are required. The application must be submitted from the resettlement area (home country) to the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt/BVA) before departing for Germany. Upon recognition as a Spaetaussiedler, the person receives German citizenship. Spouses (married at least 3 years) and descendants can be included. Family members must demonstrate basic German (from age 18).
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Must be of German ethnic origin from the former Soviet Union or Eastern European countries. Must be descended from a German national or member of the German ethnic group and demonstrate commitment to German nationality.
Eligible countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova (Republic of), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
-
Age
Must have been born before January 1, 1993
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Biometric, 35x45mm, white background, not older than 6 months
-
Birth certificate
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: Yes
-
Marriage certificate
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: Yes
-
Language proficiency
Accepted tests: German language test administered by the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) or Goethe-Institut; Minimum score: Basic conversational German (approximately A2-B1)
-
Sworn translation
Accepted languages: German; Must be certified: Yes
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather proof of German ethnic origin (birth certificates, nationality declarations, family documents showing German ancestry). All documents must be translated into German by a sworn translator.
-
Online application
Submit an application for admission as an ethnic German repatriate (Aufnahmeantrag) to the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt/BVA) from your country of residence. Applications can be submitted in writing or online.
-
Processing wait
Wait for the BVA to process the admission application. This involves verification of German ethnic origin and language testing. Processing can take 6-24 months.
-
Document submission
After receiving the notice of admission (Aufnahmebescheid), apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence
-
Visa collection
Collect your visa and travel to Germany. Upon arrival, you will be assigned to a federal state and receive German citizenship. Register at the local registration office.