What happens to my spouse's residence permit if the marriage ends?

A spouse's permit is initially a dependent, derived title linked to the sponsoring partner. In principle, if the relationship that justified the permit ends, the basis for the dependent permit can fall away.

German law provides for an independent right of residence so that a spouse is not left without status. After the couple has lived together in Germany for the required period, the spouse can generally gain a residence right in their own name that continues even if the marriage later ends. Hardship rules can also help in serious cases, such as domestic violence. If a separation is possible, get advice quickly, because timing relative to the cohabitation requirement is critical.