From Afghanistan to Germany: A Minor's Journey to Family Reunification

ELIL was recently contacted by a minor from Afghanistan who wanted to apply for family reunification with his uncle in Germany. After becoming separated from the rest of his family (whom he has not been able to contact since) at the Iran/Afghanistan border, he arrived in Greece alone.

The minor was supported through the entire procedure by an ELIL lawyer, who communicated with the Greek asylum agency and Dublin unit, gathered the required paperwork and got in touch with his uncle. German officials initially denied the request for family reunification, stating that there was insufficient proof that the child and his uncle were related, and made an urgent request for a DNA test. The procedure was coordinated by ELIL's lawyer, who ensured that everything was handed in on time and that the German authorities received the DNA results. The request was finally approved in early December and the child left for Germany a few days later.

ELIL’s teams in Greece provide assistance with family reunification applications under the Dublin Regulation. Over the past six years, we have helped hundreds of people reunite with family members in other European countries.