Do the family reunification rules differ for EU/EFTA versus third-country nationals?

The legal basis differs: EU/EFTA reunification flows from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, which gives wide-ranging rights to be joined by a spouse and descendants under 21, with the family members' permits matching the sponsor's.

Third-country family reunification is governed by the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act and is more conditional, with tighter age limits (generally under 18 for children), housing and income tests, and integration expectations. Identifying which regime applies to you is the first step in planning a successful application.