Family reunification has long been one of the main channels of legal migration to the EU, accounting for 26% of all first residence permits issued in 2023. It plays a crucial role in upholding the right to family life under international and EU law and supporting the integration of third-country nationals.
The EU’s framework for family reunification of third-country nationals is set out in Council Directive 2003/86/EC. Since its adoption, its implementation has been shaped by national legislative changes, key rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and the digitalisation of migration procedures in EU Member States.
The study provides key information on:
- Requirements and conditions
- Application processes and challenges
- Access to rights after arrival
- Trends and outlooks
