Nine countries ask the EU to tighten refugee family reunification

Ministers from nine countries have asked EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner to change the rules on refugee family reunification. They are seeking common EU-wide rules that would legally allow restrictions to be introduced.

Schools and housing under pressure

In their letter, the ministers stress that many countries that have taken in large numbers of migrants now have to deal with problems linked to family reunification. Urban schools have felt it most: they have had to admit large numbers of children, some of whom had almost no relevant previous education. Housing, kindergartens, healthcare and the labor market have also come under pressure.

To cope, a number of states have already introduced national rules limiting family reunification. But the authors of the letter are convinced that the issue calls for a European solution: common and lasting rules. In their view, this can be achieved by revising the EU directive that establishes the right to reunification with the immediate family, meaning a spouse and minor children. The condition is that the person must not pose a threat to security and public order.

What the current rules provide

Once an application is approved, a migrant’s family members receive a residence permit in the host country with the same period of validity as the refugee’s own. Their access to education, work and self-employment is the same.

No later than five years after arrival (in Czechia already after three years, or on reaching adulthood), they are entitled to their own residence permit, independent of the main holder. The right to reunification applies to a spouse and to minor unmarried children, including adopted ones. EU countries may require that the marriage already existed before the refugee entered the territory of the European Union.

Around Prague guide on the topic: Work in Prague and Czechia

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz