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How to Bring Your Children to Germany During Your Ausbildung: Schools, Visas & More

2024-03-07

Planning to bring your kids to Germany during your Ausbildung? Learn the Kindernachzug visa steps, school enrollment, and Willkommensklasse options.

Moving to Germany for an Ausbildung is already a big step — doing it with children makes it even more significant. The good news is that Germany actively supports family reunification, and thousands of Moroccan families successfully bring their minor children every year. Understanding the exact process — from the Kindernachzug visa to enrolling your child in a Willkommensklasse — will save you months of confusion and stress.

What Is the Kindernachzug and Who Qualifies?

The Kindernachzug is the official family reunification visa that allows your minor children (under 18) to join you in Germany. If you are already living in Germany on a valid residence permit — such as an Ausbildung visa or a work visa — you have the right to apply for your children to follow you.

Basic eligibility requirements

To successfully apply for a Kindernachzug, you generally need to meet these conditions:

• You hold a valid German residence permit (not a short-stay or tourist visa)
• Your child is under 18 years old
• You can prove adequate housing — typically at least 12 m² of living space per person
• You earn enough to support your family without relying on social benefits (Bürgergeld). During Ausbildung, your monthly training allowance must cover the costs, which can be tricky (more on that below)
• Both parents consent to the move, or you hold sole custody

If your child is under 16, the process is generally smoother. Children aged 16–17 face an additional language requirement: they must demonstrate sufficient German skills to integrate into school life, usually at B1 level. This is a real hurdle, so start German courses early if your teenager is close to 16.

One parent vs. two parents moving together

If both parents are moving to Germany together, you apply jointly. If only one parent is relocating, you will need either a notarized consent from the other parent or proof of sole custody. The German embassy in Rabat or Casablanca will request this document — make sure it is officially translated into German by a sworn translator.

The Kindernachzug Application: Step by Step

Here is the practical process for Moroccan families applying from Morocco:

• Step 1 — Book an appointment at the German embassy. Use the online booking system at www.germany.info or the specific embassy portal for Morocco (Rabat or Casablanca). Wait times can be 3–6 months, so book as early as possible.
• Step 2 — Prepare your document checklist. You will need:
  • Your child's valid Moroccan passport (at least 6 months validity beyond the intended stay)
  • Child's birth certificate (officially translated into German)
  • Your German residence permit (copy)
  • Proof of income: your Ausbildung contract and recent pay slips showing your monthly allowance
  • Proof of housing: rental contract and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation form)
  • Proof of health insurance for the child (you can add them to your statutory health insurance — gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
  • Parental consent form (if applicable), notarized and translated
  • Two biometric passport photos of the child
• Step 3 — Attend the embassy interview. For children under 16, the child usually does not need to attend. For 16–17 year olds, the child may be required to demonstrate language skills.
• Step 4 — Visa issued, travel to Germany. Once the visa is granted (typically a national D-visa), your child can enter Germany. Within the first 3 months, you must register at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) in your city to convert the visa into a residence permit.

Cost note: The Kindernachzug visa fee is € 29 per child (EU standard fee for minors). Translation and notarization costs in Morocco typically add another € 80–150 per document set.

Proving Sufficient Income During Ausbildung

This is where many Moroccan families hit a wall. German law generally requires that you can support your family financially without state benefits. During an Ausbildung, your monthly allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung) is typically between € 620 and € 1,200, depending on your sector and employer.

The official income threshold for a family of one adult and one child is approximately € 1,500–1,700 net per month (2024 figures, varying by state). For two children, add roughly € 350 per additional child.

What can help your case:

• Kindergeld: Germany pays child benefit of € 250 per month per child. Once your child holds a residence permit, you are entitled to Kindergeld, which counts toward your income calculation.
• Wohngeld or subsidized housing: If your rent is low (e.g., an employer-provided apartment), the income requirement is easier to meet.
• A higher Ausbildung sector: Healthcare, IT, and skilled trades often pay the top range of allowances.

Speak honestly with your Ausländerbehörde before applying. Some offices show flexibility for Ausbildung participants who are close to finishing their training and moving to full employment.

Enrolling Your Child in a German School

Once your child arrives in Germany, school enrollment is mandatory (Schulpflicht). Every child living in Germany — regardless of visa status — must attend school. This is not optional, and it begins almost immediately after registration at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office).

How school enrollment works

1. Register your family at the Einwohnermeldeamt within 14 days of arrival.
2. Visit the local Schulamt (school authority) or go directly to the nearest primary school (Grundschule) or secondary school (Realschule/Gymnasium/Hauptschule) for older children.
3. Bring: child's passport, proof of registration (Anmeldebestätigung), vaccination records (Impfpass), and any previous school reports (translated if possible).
4. The school will assess your child's age and level and assign them to a class.

Willkommensklasse: Germany's newcomer integration classes

Most German states run special Willkommensklassen (welcome classes) for newly arrived children who do not yet speak German. These are dedicated classes where children learn German intensively while being gradually introduced to regular school subjects.

• In Berlin, they are called "Willkommensklassen" and run for 1–2 years before students join mainstream classes.
• In Bavaria, similar programs are called "Übergangsklassen."
• In NRW (cities like Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf), they are called "Internationale Förderklassen."

Your child can expect 20–25 hours of German instruction per week in these classes. Progress depends heavily on the child's age: younger children (6–10) typically integrate into mainstream classes within 6–12 months. Teenagers may take 1–2 years.

Tip: Ask the school if they have a Schulbegleiter (school support assistant) or a multilingual parent liaison who speaks Arabic or Tamazight. Larger cities often have this service.

Kita Waitlists: Getting Your Young Child into Childcare

If your child is under 6, you will need a Kita (Kindertagesstätte — daycare or kindergarten). Germany guarantees a Kita spot for every child over 1 year old, but in practice, waitlists in cities like Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, and Hamburg can be 12–24 months long.

How to get on the waitlist faster

• Register on the local Kita portal the moment you have your German address. Examples: KitaMatch in NRW, Little Bird used in many cities, or the municipal portal like Berlin's Kita-Navigator.
• Apply to multiple Kitas at once — you can register with 10–15 simultaneously.
• Contact Kitas directly by phone or in person. A personal visit often gets you noticed.
• Ask your employer if they have a Betriebskita (company daycare) — some large hospitals and corporations reserve spots for employees.
• Look at Tagesmutter options (registered childminder) — these are often easier to access quickly and cost roughly € 200–600/month depending on your income (subsidized by Jugendamt).

Kita fees are income-based in most states. During Ausbildung, your fees will likely be very low — sometimes € 0–50/month — because your income is modest.

What People Get Wrong About Bringing Children to Germany

• Waiting too long to book the embassy appointment. Families often start this process 1 month before they want their child to arrive. With 3–6 month embassy wait times, you need to plan at least 9 months ahead.
• Forgetting to register health insurance for the child immediately. Your child needs German health insurance before they can enroll in school. Contact your Krankenkasse (e.g., TK, AOK, Barmer) the week you arrive.
• Assuming the child's Arabic school reports will transfer directly. German schools will evaluate your child independently. A child who was in Grade 6 in Morocco may be placed in Grade 5 or Grade 6 in Germany depending on their German level and math skills. This is normal — do not be offended.
• Underestimating the 16–17 age language requirement. A teenager who turns 16 before the visa is granted needs B1 German. Enroll them in German classes at Institut Français or a private language school in Morocco as early as possible.
• Not applying for Kindergeld right away. Many Moroccan families are unaware they can claim €250/month per child. Apply at the Familienkasse (run by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit) as soon as your child has a residence permit.

Conclusion

Bringing your children to Germany while doing your Ausbildung is absolutely achievable — but it requires planning, patience, and the right paperwork. Start the Kindernachzug visa process early, get your child registered for school the week they arrive, and claim every benefit you are entitled to, from Kindergeld to subsidized Kita fees. The Willkommensklasse system will help your child find their footing faster than you might expect.

If you are still figuring out your own Ausbildung application, cover letter, or CV for the German job market, Book a consultation with our specialist and use our CV builder to get your documents Germany-ready — so your whole family can move forward together.