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  • Publications (15)
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  • EMN Informs (2)
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Ad Hoc Query on removal of third-country nationals from national lists of prohibited persons on the basis of marriage to an EU citizen

15/06/2026

This ad hoc query examines whether third-country nationals (TCNs) who are subject to national entry bans or are included in "Stop Lists" are removed from these lists upon marriage to an EU citizen. It further maps the specific procedures, required documentation, and assessment criteria used by EMN Member Countries to distinguish genuine relationships from marriages of convenience.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
entry ban
stop list
marriage of convenience
EU citizen

Ad Hoc Query on methodology for calculating periods of absence

15/05/2026

This ad hoc query examines the ways in which EMN Member and Observer Countries calculate periods of absence in the context of applications for an EU Long-Term Residence Status, which requires 5 years of continuous residence. Additionally, this ad hoc query inquires about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in EMN Member and Observer Countries, or any future plans to do so. 

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
long-term residence
continuous residence
period of absence
entry exit system
digitalisation

Bridging the digital divide: Digital services in legal migration procedures for accessibility and inclusion (EMN Inform)

12/05/2026

This Inform examines how digital services in legal migration procedures are designed and implemented in EMN Member and Observer Countries to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It looks at how authorities have adapted applications, document submission, appointment booking, communication and information exchange, and case-tracking services in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of legal migration procedures. The analysis is based on contributions from 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Informs
Keywords:
legal migration
digitalisation
accessibility
inclusion

Ad Hoc Query on medical examination requirements in future amendments of national residence permit regulations

10/04/2026

This ad hoc query examines the extent to which EMN Member and Observer Countries require medical certificates in the context of applications for temporary and permanent residence permits. More specifically, it inquires at what stage in the procedure the medical certificate is requested and what medical conditions are examined.  

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for a residence permit
medical examination
medical certificate

Belgian court confirms sponsor’s and partner’s means of subsistence must be taken into account in family reunification applications

02/04/2026

The Belgian Constitutional Court has clarified how the means of subsistence requirement applies in family reunification applications. The ruling establishes that the means of subsistence of both the Belgian sponsor and their partner must be taken into account when assessing compliance with this requirement. Previously, some applications were refused because only the sponsor’s means were considered. The decision aims to ensure compliance with principles of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for family life.

 

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Constitutional Court
application for family reunification
income requirement
partner's income

Ad Hoc Query on specifics of the procedure for family reunification

27/02/2026

This ad hoc query shines light on the practices applicable in EMN Member Countries regarding applications for family reunification by third-country nationals and their family members who enjoy visa-free travel for short-stays in the EU, in the context of the implementation of the Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC).

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
sponsor
residence permit
visa-free travel

Belgian Constitutional Court temporarily suspends stricter reception and family reunification rules

26/02/2026

The Belgian Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended legislative measures introduced in 2025 that tightened rules on material reception conditions for asylum seekers and family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. The suspensions concern two separate laws, and the Court has referred several preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify their compatibility with EU law.

Theme:
Reception
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Constitutional Court
suspension
limitation
material reception condition
family reunification
beneficiary of subsidiary protection

25 organisations challenge new family reunification law before Constitutional Court

05/02/2026

Twenty-five organisations have submitted a petition to the Belgian Constitutional Court challenging the new family reunification law, which entered into force in August 2025. The petition highlights concerns that the law creates barriers that may prevent families from reuniting, potentially separating children from their parents indefinitely.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
family reunification law
access to family reunification
petition
Constitutional Court

Ad Hoc Query on criminal record certificates

18/01/2026

This ad hoc query provides an overview of which EMN Member and Observer Countries require criminal record certificates in order to issue long-stay visas or residence permits. Details are provided on the categories of third-country nationals exempted from this requirement, the countries from which these certificates are required (country of origin and/or of previous residence), the other types of documents that may be accepted in lieu of a certificate (such as an affidavit), and more.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
visa
residence permit
application
criminal record certificate
security

Webinar - Belgium: Changes to Immigration Policy in Flanders and to Family Reunification Rules

02/01/2026

Fragomen will host a webinar on recent changes to Belgium’s immigration policies. The session will cover two main areas: first, new rules in the Flanders Region concerning economic migration, including labour migration pathways, contractual liability, and labour market testing; and second, nationwide modifications affecting family reunification, such as stricter financial criteria for visa applications. The webinar will also highlight practical implications for businesses employing foreign nationals.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
Flanders
illegal employment
labour market test
low-skilled workers
financial requirement
application for family reunification

Implementation of family reunification provisions interpreted by the Belgian Constitutional Court

Logo Belgian Official Gazette

20/12/2013

Today, 20 December 2013, the Circular of 13 December 2013 implementing family reunification provisions, as interpreted by the Constitutional Court on 26 September 2013, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
case law
Constitutional Court

New measure in the battle against marriages of convenience

15/11/2013

On 14 November 2013, Maggie De Block, Annemie Turtelboom and Joëlle Milquet have approved a new measure in the fight against marriages of convenience, that should tackle 'shopping' between municipalities.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Campaign "Don't be a victim of a forced marriage or marriage of convenience"

15/11/2013

On 14 November, Maggie De Block, Annemie Turtelboom and Joëlle Milquet have launched a new campaign in the fight against relations of convenience. Victims are supported and stimulated to actively contribute to fight this phenomenon.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Grondwettelijk Hof doet uitspraak over Wet op gezinshereniging

15/10/2013

Theme:
Gezinshereniging
Type:
Nieuwsbericht
Keywords:
grondwettelijk hof
gezinshereniging

Ad Hoc Query on requirements of marriage and suspected numbers of marriages of convenience

24/09/2013

16 Member States provided detailed information and statistical data on their requirements for marriage and suspected marriages of convenience. This query was launched by the UK EMN NCP.

Theme:
Family Migration
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Year Report 2012 (IOM Brussels)

03/07/2013

This very first edition of the IOM Brussels Country Office (CO) Year Report will give you a brief overview of activities undertaken in 2012 allowing a focus on specific areas of interest linked to the Belgian and Luxembourg migration context and more broadly to the European and global context.

Theme:
External Dimension
Family Migration
Return & Readmission
Publication type:
Report
Keywords:
voluntary return
development
reintegration

Annual Report 2012 (Immigration Office)

14/06/2013

The annual "activity report" 2012 of the Immigration Office is available.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Borders & Visa
Irregular Migration
Return & Readmission
Smuggling & Trafficking
Regularization
Data & Statistics
Keywords:
Immigration Office

Andrea Rea & Nawal Bensaid (ULB) report on Forced Marriages in the Brussel Capital Region

13/05/2013

This study was conducted within the framework of the National Action Plan against violence between partners and other forms of domestic violence.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
forced marriage
marriage of convenience

Trends in the choice of first and second-generation migrants' spouse in Belgium

First page of the publication on the marital choice of migrants in Belgium

27/03/2013

This paper maps the marital choices of persons with a migratory background in Belgium, with a focus on populations of Moroccan and Turkish origin.

Theme:
Migration
Family Migration
Keywords:
first generation
marital choice
second generation

Family Reunification: a Barrier or Facilitator of Integration? A Comparative Study

Cover page of the study

12/03/2013

This study, coordinated by the Immigrant Council of Ireland and supported by the European Integration Fund, answers the question to what extent certain family reunification policies hinder or promote reunification with TCN family members and also their integration

Theme:
Family Migration
Integration
Publication type:
Study
Keywords:
family reunification right
income requirement
obstacle to integration

Ad Hoc Query on the right to family reunification for unmarried partners

07/03/2013

22 Member States provide information on whether or not and under what conditions they grant a right to family reunification to unmarried partners whose relationship or partnership is not considered as equivalent to marriage.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
unmarried partner

EP Seminar on Free movement of LGBT families in the EU: The Frankenstein EU Legislation

cover LGBT AP seminar

01/03/2013

The LGBT Intergroup is organising a seminar on the free movement of LGBT families, and the obstacles they face when moving around the EU.

Theme:
Migration
Family Migration

Belgium has to fully transpose a number of provisions in the Free Movement Directive

Logo Commission européenne

21/02/2013

The European Commission is asking Belgium to further facilitate the entry and residence of non-EU family members of Union citizens in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Directive 2004/38/EC
free movement
infringement

state of play family reunification directive

cover

08/02/2013

The Commission published in May 2012 a summary of the responses received on its public consultation on family reunification. Background information, state of play and case law regarding this directive can be found here.

Theme:
Family Migration
Keywords:
EU directive
family migration policy

Developments in Legal Migration and Mobility in 2011 (EMN Inform)

First page of EMN Inform Legal Migration Mobility 2011

03/01/2013

This EMN Inform summarises the main developments in 2011 in legal migration and mobility. Topics addressed include statistics, promoting legal migration channels, economic, family Reunification and integration.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Integration
Publication type:
Informs
Keywords:
legal migration
mobility

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