FREE MOVEMENT AND THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY OF A EUROPEAN CITIZEN

This article deals with the conditions and limitations to the right to reside and of freedom of movement recognized to third country nationals who are family members of an EU citizen. With its decision in the Zambrano case, the Court of Justice of the European Union decided that the status of citizen of the European Union produces its effects, initially limited to cross-border situations, also in purely domestic ones. Children with the citizenship of the European Union who are dependent of a parent with third country nationality would be forced to leave the territory of the European Union in case of refusal of their parent’s application for the right of residence. They would thus be deprived of the substance of the rights conferred on them by virtue of their status as citizens of the European Union.
The scope of said rights as recognized to a third country national member of the family of a citizen of the European Union depends on the determination of the substance of the rights conferred by the status as citizen of the European Union. The post-Zambrano case-law will be examined in order to determine the extent and limitation thereof.