Civil Partnerships Recognised Europe Wide

The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006
SI 2006/1003
Coming into force 30 April 2006
Explanatory Memorandum
The main new developments, which are reflected in these
Regulations, are:
(a) the inclusion of civil partners as family members of EU
nationals along with spouses so far as member States who treat
such partnerships as equivalent to marriage are concerned;
(b) the introduction of an initial right of residence of 3 months
in a host member State for EU nationals and their family members
provided they do not become an unreasonable burden on the social
assistance system of the host member State – this right of
residence is not conditional on the EU national being, for
example, a worker, self-employed, as was the case under the
repealed Directives;
(c) the introduction of a permanent right of residence in a host
member State, which generally applies after 5 years residence in
that member State.