European Union - Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification

On 22 September 2003 the Council adopted Directive 2003/86/EC setting out common rules on the exercise of the right to family reunification by third-country nationals residing lawfully in Member States (hereinafter “the Directive”). It applies to all Member States except Denmark, Ireland, and the UK1 . In accordance with Article 3(3) of the Directive, it does not regulate the situation of third-country nationals who are family members of an EU citizen.

This report gives an overview of the current situation on the implementation of the Directive by Member States, focusing on the key issues that have emerged from the Commission's own compliance analysis, complaints received and relevant judgements of the CJEU.