Austria Finalizes Plan to Suspend Refugee Family Reunification

The policy, set to begin in May 2025, marks a first in the EU and has drawn criticism from human rights groups for lacking legal justification.

Austria's government announced a decree to suspend family reunification for refugees, with implementation planned by May 2025.
The suspension, initially set for six months, can be extended until May 2027 and aims to reduce strain on healthcare, education, and employment systems.
This policy comes after a significant increase in family reunification applications, particularly from Syrian refugees, which rose to 9,300 in 2023.
Human rights organizations argue the suspension violates international law, with legal challenges being prepared against the Austrian government.
Austria's move reflects a broader EU trend toward stricter migration policies, influenced by the rise of far-right parties like the FPÖ.