Publication date: 11 April 2011

Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification

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This Publication of the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) aims at providing an analysis of the European legal framework, from offering better regulation of family reunification by Member States to protective jurisprudence, as well as Belgian law (the law of 15.12.1980) and recent developments.
Main theme: Family reunification
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: KBF

Publication date: 28 March 2011

The King Baudouin Foundation presents figures and trends on the influx of migrant spouses in Belgium and information about socio-economic profile of those concerned (2011)
Main theme: Family reunification
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: KBF

Publication date: 12 January 2011

This EMN Synthesis Report aims to summarise and compare, within a European perspective, the findings from nine National Contact Points (Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, Netherlands and the United Kingdom) of the European Migration Network (EMN), on family reunification.

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This conference organised by EMN Netherlands, in cooperation with EMN Belgium, will focus on family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection in EMN Member and Observer Countries. The influence of European case law in this field will also be examined in more detail. 

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In a judgement released today, the Court of Justice of the European Union held that an unaccompanied minor refugee, who reached majority during the procedure relating to the application for family reunification with his or her parents, has a right to such reunification.

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Researcher and author Pascal Debruyne will present his book which contains stories of parents and minors who struggle through the family reunification procedure and stories of care providers who try their best to support these families. Panel discussions will also take place with experts in this field.
Main theme: Family reunification

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During the first six months of 2023, the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders already helped 152 people – mostly refugees – in their search for lost relatives. That is the highest number since 2017. The organisation is looking for volunteers who want to commit at least 6 hours a week to help find the missing relatives.

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According to the Court of Justice of the EU, European Union law precludes national legislation which requires, without exception, that an application for family reunification be submitted in person at a competent diplomatic post.

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Ahead of the Family Reunification Directive’s 20th anniversary, this new comparative report provides a comprehensive overview of the current implementation of the Directive and other forms of realisation of family unity for individuals in need of protection across 23 European countries based on ECRE’s Asylum Information Database (AIDA).

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The Court of Justice of the European Union interpreted Article 2(f) and Article 10(3)(a) of the Family Reunification Directive in its decision from 17 November 2022 in the case X v Belgium. An unaccompanied refugee minor residing in a Member State does not have to be unmarried to enjoy the right to family reunification with first-degree relatives in direct ascending line.

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In 2018, the European Migration Network (EMN) celebrates its 10 year anniversary. On this occasion, the EMN organized a conference on 15 May in Brussels.

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In a judgment handed down today, the EU Court of Justice responded to a Dutch prejudicial question on family reunification of (unaccompanied minor) refugees. Following the reasoning of the Court, an unaccompanied minor who attains the age of majority during the asylum procedure retains its right to family reunification.

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This conference aims to provide legal practitioners with an update on recent developments in the EU legal migration system and the mechanisms put in place to tackle labour and skills shortages and to reinforce the attractiveness of the EU for key workers

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A joint European Migration Network & OECD event exploring the topics of family migration and illegal employment took place in Brussels on 9 November 2017.

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This training session (in Dutch) provided by the Flemish Agency for Integration and Civic Integration aims at providing participants with a basic understanding of international family law.

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This training session (in Dutch) provided by the Flemish Agency for Integration and Civic Integration aims at providing participants with a basic understanding of international family law.

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This training session (in Dutch) provided by the Flemish Agency for Integration and Civic Integration aims at providing participants with a basic understanding of international family law.

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As of 2 November 2017, family members of foreign nationals who obtained a long term resident status in another Member State and reside in Belgium will not have to obtain a work permit if the long term residents themselves do not require such a permit.

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This full day conference will provide an opportunity to exchange information on family reunification schemes, in Ireland and abroad. Drawing on the findings of a recently published European Migration Network study the family reunification policy frameworks operational elsewhere in the EU will be discussed and compared.

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On the 26th of October 2017 the general policy note on asylum and migration of the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration was published. The policy note provides an overview of the main achievements and priorities in the field of asylum and migration.

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Today a new law was published on the fight against false declarations of parenthood. The Law of 19 September 2017 modifies the Civil Code, the Immigration Law, the Judicial Code and the Consular Code, and it includes preventive and repressive measures.

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The European Commission has launched a public consultation to collect evidence, experiences, data and opinions to support the evaluation of the existing EU legal framework for the legal entry and stay of nationals of non-EU countries to the EU Member States. The deadline is 18 September 2017. 

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The Conference of the Dutch Contact Point of the EMN, which will take place in the Hague on 18 May 2017, will focus on family reunification in the Netherlands and Europe.
Main theme: Family reunification
Keywords: Netherlands

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The Conference of the Swedish National Contact Point of the EMN, which will take place in Stockholm on 12 May 2017, will focus on family reunification in Sweden and in the EU.
Main theme: Family reunification
Keywords: Sweden