Blocked Account When Family Reunification/Parent Reunification in Germany

Spouse and child reunification under §§ 27–32 AufenthG rely on the sponsor's income, not a blocked account. Usually no. Health insurance is mandatory — Care Economy from €30/30 days as a bridge, then GKV via the sponsor's family insurance (§ 10 SGB V) or Care Expatriate from €58/month.

Parent reunification under § 36 AufenthG relies on the sponsor's income and cover of living expenses. Not usually. The blocking factor is health insurance — parents typically need Care Expatriate (from €68/month ages 41–60, from €246/month ages 61–74) because § 10 SGB V does not extend to parents.

Only when the sponsor is a student and income is insufficient — the sponsor's blocked account (€11,904 for 12 months) may need to cover the joining family member as well. Insurance for the joining member is separate: Care Economy or Care Expatriate.

Spouse and children: usually free family insurance (Familienversicherung, § 10 SGB V) via the sponsor's GKV. Bridge cover during the visa phase: Care Economy from €30/30 days. Parents: Care Expatriate from €68/month (long-term, § 36 AufenthG).

No — family reunification requires health insurance from day 1: Care Economy (short-term visitor phase) or GKV family insurance / Care Expatriate (long-term). Blocked account and health insurance are two separate proofs — a blocked account never replaces insurance.

The BASTI blocked account starts at 4.90 EUR/month plus a 65 EUR setup fee. The mandatory deposit is 11,904 EUR for 12 months. However, if the sponsor in Germany has regular income, a blocked account is usually not required — only health insurance proof is needed.