Family Reunification

Family reunification is a complex area of migration law. Different criteria apply to EU citizens and third-country nationals or Swiss. Important: Note the deadlines for family reunification!

Passport and residence permit are essential

EU citizens as well as third-country nationals with a residence or settlement permit (C or B as well as EU-L permit) are entitled to bring their family into the country. However, different rules apply to members of EU states. Third-country nationals with a short-term stay permit (L permit) are not entitled to bring their family into the country.

Note the deadlines for family reunification

For third-country nationals: the reunification must take place within five years if the children are under 12 years of age. If the children are older, they must be brought into the country within 12 months.

EU citizens

Citizens of EU states can bring the following members of the family into the country:

• Spouse and children of both spouses provided they are under 21 years old or if their maintenance is guaranteed.
• Next-of-kin of both spouses in order of immediacy (mother, grandfather etc.) whose maintenance is guaranteed.