This study examines the determinants of the migration status within households (tied or lead mover) and how it affects the ethnic identity of migrant spouses. Tied and lead movers differ in their migration motivations, face different constraints, and opportunities (e.g., social network through work). This is likely to be reflected in different investment strategies and adjustment patterns in the host country. To study the adjustment of tied and lead movers, I rely on the IAB-SOEP migration sample, which asks migrant spouses who were the main driver of the migration decision and measures several socio-economic outcomes in Germany. The results show that women are 42.2 percentage points more likely to be tied movers than men, and spouses without technical college or university before migration is 6.6 percentage points more likely to be tied movers than spouses with a degree. Overall, tied movers in Germany are more likely to be separated and less likely to be integrated and assimilated when compared to lead or equal movers. These findings suggest that for tied movers, the benefits of investing in the host country's culture do not outweigh the costs.