Press Release: Judgment in Case C-138/13 Naime Dogan v Bundesrepublik Deutschland

In a judgement given on the 10 July 2014 the European Court of Justice said that the requirement of a basic knowledge of the German language imposed by Germany as a condition for the issue of a visa for the purpose of reunification of spouses of Turkish nationals residing lawfully in its territory was contrary to EU law

The German language test made family reunification more difficult and was not compatible with an EU-Turkey agreement reached in 1970, the judges said.

Germany argued it had brought in the rule to boost integration and stop forced marriages.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 10.07.14: EU top court rejects German language test for Turks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28248603

ESO: Background information: Advocate General’s Opinion in Case C-138/13. Naime Dogan v Federal Republic of Germany http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-advocate-generals-opinion-in-case-c-138-13-naime-dogan-v-federal-republic-of-germany/

Die Presse, 11.07.14: All immigrants should speak German (via Euro|Topis) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE146629-All-immigrants-should-speak-German

Deutsche Welle, 10.07.14: European court overturns law requiring German-language skills for spouse visas http://dw.de/p/1CZLT

Deutsche Welle, 10.08.13: German language test keeps couples apart http://dw.de/p/19NIG

The Local.de, 10.07.14: EU court rules against German language test http://www.thelocal.de/20140710/eu-court-rules-against-german-language-test-for-turkish-spouses

EurActiv, 14.07.14: European Court of Justice bans German language requirement for Turkish spouse visas http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/european-court-justice-bans-german-language-requirement-turkish-spouse-visas

Blog: EU Law Analysis, 12.07.14: The CJEU transforms family reunion for Turkish citizens http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-cjeu-transforms-family-reunion-for.html

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