Dear EU-leaders,

Being together with family is one of the most fundamental human rights and needs. Due to current travel restrictions, millions of EU citizens and residents have been denied the opportunity to see their non-EU parents and children since the beginning of the pandemic. EU law (e.g., EU directive 2004/38/EC) calls for equal treatment of EU citizens and their 3rd country family members. The travel restrictions for close family members goes against the letter and spirit of EU legislation.

Many of our parents are old, and long separation from children has a disastrous effect on their mental health. Furthermore, some of our parents are terminally ill, and we are denied a last chance to kiss our mothers or fathers goodbye.

Allowing close family members of EU citizens/residents to enter the EU is unlikely to increase Covid-19 infection rates or have any other negative impact on EU states for the following reasons.

1.    Non-EU family members will be allowed entry strictly by an invitation from an EU citizen/resident relative.

2.    The EU relative will take full responsibility for the costs incurred by the invitees.

3.    The non-EU family members will be obliged to undergo a Covid-19 test upon entry. They will also quarantine for 14 days at the place of residence of their EU relative.

As a positive step we recently witnessed a number of EU governments lift travel restrictions for unmarried couples in long-term relationships. However love is not limited to romance. A parent-child relationship is one of the most stable and long-term connections we experience in life, which is why we are calling on EU governments to stop denying cross-border families this fundamental human right.