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

The publication provides a comparative overview of how Member and Observer Countries regulate access to family reunification, including eligibility requirements, documentation standards, application procedures and rights after arrival. It outlines major policy developments between 2017 and 2023 and highlights recurring challenges such as long processing times, financial thresholds and administrative complexity, alongside emerging digital solutions. For Austria and other Member States, the analysis aims to offer valuable orientation for strengthening accessible, fair and efficient family reunification systems.