Removing barriers to family reunification

The Ministry of the Interior is preparing an amendment to the Aliens Act with the aim of ending the application of the requirement for sufficient financial resources for minor sponsors, who have been granted a residence permit based on international protection.

In this context, the idea is to clarify what are the effects of the requirement for sufficient financial resources on the protection of family life and on family reunification for persons who have been granted asylum or subsidiary protection status, the Ministry of the Interior said in a press release.

The project will be launched by the Ministry of the Interior on 15 July. It will also examine problems related to family reunification and consider the need for other possible legislative amendments as stated in the Government Programme. In examining the legislation on family reunification, particular attention will be paid to ensuring the best interests of the child.

“Rapid family reunification supports successful integration. The right to family life is particularly important for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers,” says Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. 

Removing barriers to family reunification promotes the Government’s policies on human rights and fundamental rights and on a child- and family-friendly society.  The right to family reunification is ensured in Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Additionally, Parliament requires that the Government prepare the necessary legislative amendments to ensure that the requirement for sufficient financial resources is not applied in the processing of family reunification applications submitted by persons who have been granted asylum or subsidiary protection status.

The project runs from 1 August 2020 to 31 June 2021.