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

Abstract

This publication presents the outcome of a comparative study on family reunification policies in six EU Member States: Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The study examined the way in which family reunification policies have developed over the past decade and the positions governments have adopted regarding four main requirements: income, pre-entry test, age and housing. Furthermore, the study analyses the application of these requirements in practice and how their application is perceived by the family members. Based on statistics and interviews, the authors draw conclusions on the impact of the applicable requirements on migrants and their family members in the Member States included in this study. Considering the recognition at EU level that family reunification is regarded as beneficial to the integration of migrants, this study seeks to clarify whether or not national policies serve to promote or hinder family reunification and contribute to the integration of migrants and their family members.