The right to family reunification within the European Union

Abstract

The protection of family within the European Union is closely connected with the free circulation of people as the conditions in which the right to reunite families can be exercised are mainly established, by the 2003/86/CE Directive, this being the main legal instrument regarding migration in the European Union. Although authorizing the reunification of family is the general rule, there are some exceptions, which reflect the appreciation margin provided to the member states; however this margin must not be used in such a manner as to interfere with the objective and declared effect of the Directive.