Family reunification of third-country nationals: State of play of law and practice

Family reunification is a key pathway for maintaining family unity, supporting integration and enabling stable long-term residence for migrants across the EU. As one of the most significant legal migration channels, it shapes demographic trends, social cohesion and access to rights. The study provides an updated comparative overview of legal and policy frameworks, procedures, eligibility criteria, and statistical trends across EMN Member and Observer Countries. It highlights differences in national approaches to defining eligible family members, applying waiting periods, income and accommodation requirements, and implementing integration measures. The findings identify common challenges, including difficulties obtaining supporting documentation, high costs, and lengthy processing times. At the same time, the study showcases good practices such as digitalized procedures, flexible approaches to evidentiary requirements, and priority processing for vulnerable applicants.