A plenary debate was held in parliament on 5 June 2012 regarding the proposals of law which had been labeled controversial by the various parliamentary committees. The restriction on family reunification was one of these proposals of law which had been deemed controversial by the parliamentary committee on immigration, integration and asylum.

Despite the earlier outcome in the parliamentary committee, the parties which had been part of the current (caretaker) government yesterday voted against the proposal to label the restrictions on family reunification controversial.

This means that the proposed restrictions on family reunification will take effect per 1 July 2012. Please see earlier updates on our website for more information on what these restrictions will involve.

If you have an unmarried partner and would like to file an application before 1 July 2012, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Barbara Wegelin