The Situation of a Student Who Decides to Marry While Studying in Germany: 2026 Guide

You are studying in Germany, you have found the person you love and you are thinking about marriage. The first questions that come to mind are clear: How will marriage affect my visa? Will I lose my scholarship? Will it become easier to find a home? What will my tax situation be? Can I continue my education?

In this guide you will find what happens to a student who marries in Germany, how their legal status changes and the financial effects.

Short Answer: Marriage = Life Changes

• Visa: changes (the family reunification option comes into play)
• Scholarship: in some cases it may decrease or be affected
• Rent support: may decrease depending on the spouse's income
• Finding a home: becomes easier
• Insurance: family insurance (Familienversicherung) may be possible
• Student ID: remains valid
• Tax: legal status and tax class change

General conclusion: the advantages (tax, housing, insurance) come together with the disadvantages (scholarship and financial responsibility). For this reason, plan the decision carefully.

Visa: After Marriage

Before marriage, the typical situation is a student visa tied to being enrolled at a university (with a limited right to work). After marriage, three options generally come into play:

• Family reunification visa (Familienzusammenführung): if your spouse is a German/EU citizen or resident in Germany; it provides an unlimited right to work
• Continuing the student visa: if you are enrolled at a university, you can renew your visa while maintaining your student status
• Residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis): marriage together with the spouse's residence in Germany; it is subject to sufficient income and insurance conditions

Visa Application Procedure

The application is made at the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office). Required documents:

• Visa renewal/application form
• Passport
• Marriage certificate (translated)
• Spouse's ID/passport
• Joint home address (registration certificate)
• Health insurance certificate
• Proof of financial means (bank account)

The process usually takes 4–8 weeks and the fee is around 50–100 €.

Scholarship: Can Be Affected

DAAD Scholarship — Marriage Situation

You can receive the DAAD scholarship while married and even with children; an additional payment may even be made for the child. However, the spouse's income matters: if the spouse provides a regular income, the scholarship amount may be affected.

• Single: approximately 934 € per month
• Married: mostly the same base amount
• With children: an additional payment per child may be added to the base amount

Other Scholarships

Foundation scholarships (e.g. political/academic foundations) may continue during marriage, but the spouse's income is checked and the amount may decrease depending on the situation. BAföG, on the other hand, is given only to German/certain EU students, so it does not cover most international students.

Checking Your Scholarship Status

• Call your scholarship organization (DAAD/foundation)
• Ask clearly: "What happens to my scholarship if I marry?"
• Get written confirmation/information
• Officially submit your marriage certificate

Home: Easier to Find, Higher Cost

For a single student, landlords are often hesitant and finding a home can take months. A married couple, on the other hand, means two potential incomes, so it looks safer to landlords and finding a home speeds up. In return, since you will move to a larger apartment, the total rent increases.

Rent Price

Rent Support (BAföG)

For students who qualify for BAföG, the rent support (approximately 250–320 €) is not directly affected by marriage; however, since the calculation is based on total income, if the spouse earns an income the support may decrease or even end.

Insurance: Family Insurance

Student health insurance is approximately 110 € per month and covers doctor/hospital expenses. After marriage, the situation changes depending on whether the spouse works:

• If the spouse does not work: they can be included in your insurance through family insurance (Familienversicherung); the additional cost is often very low
• If the spouse works: they need their own insurance; in part-time work student/eligible insurance applies, and in full-time work employee insurance applies

Cost impact: if the spouse does not work the total is around 110–130 €, and if the spouse works the total can rise to the 200–300 € level.

Tax: Marriage Situation

Tax Class (Steuerklasse)

Single people are usually in Tax Class I (higher tax, fewer deductions). Married couples, on the other hand, can choose the Class III + V combination depending on income distribution; this can lower the total tax, especially if there is an income difference between the spouses.

What needs to be done: report the marriage situation to the Finanzamt (tax office), update your tax class and notify your employer; this mostly affects net salary positively.

Joint Tax Return

Married couples can choose separate or joint tax returns (Zusammenveranlagung). A joint return is more advantageous in most cases, but in complex situations it is best to consult a tax advisor.

Work: Spouse Visa and Work Permit

If your spouse is a Turkish/non-EU citizen, they need a suitable visa (usually family reunification) and a work permit in order to work in Germany. The family reunification visa usually provides an unlimited right to work.

Spouse Work Permit Procedure

• Obtain the visa/residence permit
• Acquire the work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis)
• Once you find a job, show the documents to the employer and start working

This entire process can usually take 3–4 months; early planning prevents delays.

University: Can You Continue?

Marriage does not end your student status; you can continue at the university, renew your visa and (conditionally) continue your scholarship.

• Your student ID is not canceled
• You do not have to leave the university
• If you switch to the family reunification visa, your status becomes "family" rather than "student" and the scholarship conditions may change

Children: Special Situations

If you have a child, some social benefits come into play:

• Kindergeld (child benefit): approximately 250 € per month per child (subject to eligibility conditions)
• Elterngeld (parental allowance) and childcare support: depending on the parent's situation, monthly support may be provided for the first period

Checklist: If You Are Planning to Marry

Beforehand (About 3 Months)

• Meet with the university advisor
• Call your scholarship organization and ask about your situation
• Get legal/visa consultancy
• Learn the spouse visa conditions
• Check home prices

Wedding Preparation

• Set the wedding date
• Prepare the marriage documents
• Complete the translation and notarization
• Make a Standesamt (registry office) appointment
• Prepare for the visa application

After Marriage

• Apply for visa renewal
• Update the tax class
• Arrange insurance (add the spouse)
• Open a joint account if necessary
• If the spouse is not an EU citizen, apply for a spouse visa
• Check your scholarship status

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Marriage = Life Change

Marrying while a student in Germany brings both advantages and responsibilities; conscious planning makes the difference.

• Advantages: finding a home becomes easier, tax advantage, family insurance and some social benefits
• Disadvantages: the scholarship may be affected, increased financial responsibility and a more complex visa process

Recommendation: If possible, first complete the critical academic steps (for example your thesis); get consultancy; make a financial plan; start the spouse visa preparation in advance and carry out the process step by step. The most common mistakes are not getting an advisor, not knowing the visa procedure and skipping the financial plan.

As the Toedur consultancy team, we offer guidance on life planning, visa and legal processes; if you are thinking about marriage, we can be by your side on everything from your visa situation to the impact on your scholarship.