Family reunification has long been one of the main channels for legal migration of third-country nationals into the European Union, accounting for 26% of all first-time residence permits in 2023. Supporting family reunification simultaneously helps ensure people's right to family life under both international and EU law and supports the integration of third-country nationals in the host country.
Key findings from the study:
- Family reunification policies have significantly evolved since 2017, when the EMN last addressed this topic. Many Member and observer States have aligned their national laws with EU case law, digital procedures have been introduced, and family reunification is increasingly being considered as part of broader migration and labour policies.
- EMN Member and observer States have increasingly differentiated their approaches, facilitating family reunification for certain groups, such as to attract skilled workers, while simultaneously imposing stricter conditions on other groups (such as age limits, waiting periods, and proof of income).
- Eligibility rules for sponsors and family members vary: most countries allow third-country nationals with a valid residence permit to be sponsors. The definition of eligible family members ranges from nuclear families to extended families, depending on care needs or humanitarian situations.
- Material requirements and integration conditions remain the primary prerequisites for family reunification, but many countries offer exceptions or flexibility for vulnerable groups (recipients of international protection, unaccompanied minors, elderly dependents).
- Application procedures vary among Member States, varying in who and how an application can be submitted (at a consulate, locally, or online). If necessary, documents can be replaced by other forms of evidence, such as interviews, DNA tests, witness statements, and family history data.
- For applicants from conflict zones in particular, high costs, administrative burdens, and delays persist. Good practices highlighted include digitisation, prioritisation of applications for minors, and inter-agency cooperation.
- After reunification, family members are typically granted access to rights such as education, employment, and healthcare. These rights are supported by targeted measures, such as language training, recognition of diplomas, and vocational support, especially for recipients of international protection.
- Simplified access to long-term or independent residence permits varies. Some countries allow simplified access, for example, in cases of domestic violence or widowhood. Opportunities are also being explored to promote integration based on a broader framework of equal rights.
