eu-charter

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

EU Charter and Charter resources
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Title II

Freedoms

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Article 7 - Respect for private and family life

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Article 7 - Respect for private and family life

Everyone has the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications.

CHARTERPEDIA RESOURCES

Explanations

  • Text:

    The rights guaranteed in Article 7 correspond to those guaranteed by Article 8 of the ECHR. To take account of developments in technology the word "correspondence" has been replaced by "communications".
    In accordance with Article 52(3), the meaning and scope of this right are the same as those of the corresponding article of the ECHR. Consequently, the limitations which may legitimately be imposed on this right are the same as those allowed by Article 8 of the ECHR:

    "1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
    2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."

    Source:
    Official Journal of the European Union C 303/17 - 14.12.2007
    Preamble - Explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights:
    These explanations were originally prepared under the authority of the Praesidium of the Convention which drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Although they do not as such have the status of law, they are a valuable tool of interpretation intended to clarify the provisions of the Charter.

Case Law References

National Constitutional Law

41 results found

  • КОНСТИТУЦИЯ на Република България
    URL:
    КОНСТИТУЦИЯ на Република България
    Country:
    Bulgaria

    Чл. 32.(1) Личният живот на гражданите е неприкосновен. Всеки има право на защита срещу незаконна намеса в личния и семейния му живот и срещу посегателство върху неговата чест, достойнство и добро име. [...] Чл. 33. (1) Жилището е неприкосновено. Без съгласието на обитателя му никой не може да влиза или да остава в него освен в случаите, изрично посочени в закона. (2) Влизане или оставане в жилището без съгласие на неговия обитател или без разрешение на съдебната власт се допуска само за предотвратяване на непосредствено предстоящо или започнало престъпление, за залавяне на извършителя му, както и в случаите на крайна необходимост.Чл. 34. (1) Свободата и тайната на кореспонденцията и на другите съобщения са неприкосновени. (2) Изключения от това правило се допускат само с разрешение на съдебната власт, когато това се налага за разкриване или предотвратяване на тежки престъпления.

EU Law

26 results found

  • Regulation (EU) 2017/1128 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2017/1128 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market

    [...]

    (30) This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘Charter’). Accordingly, this Regulation should be interpreted and applied in accordance with those rights and principles, in particular the right to respect for private and family life, the right to protection of personal data, the right to freedom of expression, the freedom to conduct a business and the right to property, including intellectual property. Any processing of personal data under this Regulation should respect fundamental rights, including the right to respect for private and family life and the right to protection of personal data under Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter, and it is essential that such processing be in compliance with Directives 95/46/EC and 2002/58/EC. In particular, providers of online content services should ensure that any processing of personal data under this Regulation is necessary, reasonable and proportionate in order to achieve the relevant purpose. Where authentication of a subscriber is sufficient in order to provide the service, identification of the subscriber should not be required. Data collected pursuant to this Regulation for the purposes of verification of the Member State of residence should not be stored by the provider longer than necessary to complete such verification. Such data should be immediately and irreversibly destroyed after the verification is completed. However, this is without prejudice to the storage of data which was collected for another legitimate purpose, subject to applicable data protection rules, including rules concerning the storage of that data.

    [...]

  • Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members

    Article 1

    Subject matter

    This Regulation strengthens the security standards applicable to identity cards issued by Member States to their nationals and to residence documents issued by Member States to Union citizens and their family members when exercising their right to free movement.

  • Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1103 of 24 June 2016 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes
    URL:
    Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1103 of 24 June 2016 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes

    [...]

    (73) This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the Charter, in particular Articles 7, 9, 17, 21 and 47 concerning, respectively, respect for private and family life, the right to marry and to found a family according to national laws, property rights, the principle of non-discrimination and the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial. This Regulation should be applied by the courts and other competent authorities of the Member States in compliance with those rights and principles.

    [...]

  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 on European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and for the execution of custodial sentences
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 on European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and for the execution of custodial sentences

    Preamble 


    (13) The respect for private and family life and the protection of natural persons regarding the processing of personal data are fundamental rights. In accordance with Article 7 and Article 8(1) of the Charter, everyone has the right to respect for their private and family life, home and communications and to the protection of personal data concerning them.

    (46) The principle of ne bis in idem is a fundamental principle of law in the Union, as recognised by the Charter and developed by the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Where the issuing authority has grounds to believe that parallel criminal proceedings could be ongoing in another Member State, it should consult the authorities of that Member State in accordance with Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA . In any case, a European Production Order or a European Preservation Order is not to be issued where the issuing authority has grounds to believe that this would be contrary to the ne bis in idem principle.

    Article 1: Subject matter

    1. This Regulation lays down the rules under which an authority of a Member State, in criminal proceedings, may issue a European Production Order or a European Preservation Order and thereby order a service provider offering services in the Union and established in another Member State, or, if not established, represented by a legal representative in another Member State, to produce or to preserve electronic evidence regardless of the location of the data. This Regulation is without prejudice to the powers of national authorities to address service providers established or represented on their territory for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with national measures similar to those referred to in the first subparagraph.

    2. The issuing of a European Production Order or of a European Preservation Order may also be requested by a suspect or an accused person, or by a lawyer on that person’s behalf within the framework of applicable defence rights in accordance with national criminal procedural law.

    3. This Regulation shall not have the effect of modifying the obligation to respect the fundamental rights and legal principles as enshrined in the Charter and in Article 6 TEU, and any obligations applicable to law enforcement authorities or judicial authorities in this respect shall remain unaffected. This Regulation applies without prejudice to fundamental principles, in particular the freedom of expression and information, including the freedom and pluralism of the media, respect for private and family life, the protection of personal data, as well as the right to effective judicial protection.

  • Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers

    Article 1

    Subject matter and scope

    1. This Regulation lays down temporary and strictly limited rules derogating from certain obligations laid down in Directive 2002/58/EC, with the sole objective of enabling providers of certain number-independent interpersonal communications services (‘providers’) to use, without prejudice to Regulation (EU) 2016/679, specific technologies for the processing of personal and other data to the extent strictly necessary to detect online child sexual abuse on their services and report it and to remove online child sexual abuse material from their services.

    2. This Regulation does not apply to the scanning of audio communications.

  • Directive (EU) 2022/2381 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 on improving the gender balance among directors of listed companies and related measures
    URL:
    Directive (EU) 2022/2381 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 on improving the gender balance among directors of listed companies and related measures

    Article 1

    Purpose

    This Directive aims to achieve a more balanced representation of women and men among the directors of listed companies by establishing effective measures that aim to accelerate progress towards gender balance, while allowing listed companies sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements for that purpose.

  • Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law
    URL:
    Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law

    Article 1

    Purpose

    The purpose of this Directive is to enhance the enforcement of Union law and policies in specific areas by laying down common minimum standards providing for a high level of protection of persons reporting breaches of Union law.

  • Regulation (EU) 2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013

    Article 4

    Equality, rights and gender equality strand

    Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (b) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on:

    (1) promoting equality and preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and respecting the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds provided for in Article 21 of the Charter;

    [...]

  • Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data, repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data, repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC

    Preamble

    (1) The protection of natural persons in relation to the processing of personal data is a fundamental right. Article 8(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’) and Article 16(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide that everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her. This right is also guaranteed under Article 8 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

    [...]

    (74) The supervisory competence of the European Data Protection Supervisor should not cover the processing of personal data by the Court of Justice when acting in its judicial capacity, in order to safeguard the independence of the Court in the performance of its judicial tasks, including decision-making. For such processing operations, the Court should establish independent supervision, in accordance with Article 8(3) of the Charter, for example through an internal mechanism.

    Article 1 Subject matter and objectives

    1. This Regulation lays down rules relating to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions and bodies and rules relating to the free movement of personal data between them or to other recipients established in the Union.

    2. This Regulation protects fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons and in particular their right to the protection of personal data.

    3. The European Data Protection Supervisor shall monitor the application of the provisions of this Regulation to all processing operations carried out by a Union institution or body.

  • Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act)
    URL:
    Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act)

    Article 34: Risk assessment

    1. Providers of very large online platforms and of very large online search engines shall diligently identify, analyse and assess any systemic risks in the Union stemming from the design or functioning of their service and its related systems, including algorithmic systems, or from the use made of their services.

    They shall carry out the risk assessments by the date of application referred to in Article 33(6), second subparagraph, and at least once every year thereafter, and in any event prior to deploying functionalities that are likely to have a critical impact on the risks identified pursuant to this Article. This risk assessment shall be specific to their services and proportionate to the systemic risks, taking into consideration their severity and probability, and shall include the following systemic risks:

    [...]

    (b) any actual or foreseeable negative effects for the exercise of fundamental rights, in particular the fundamental rights to human dignity enshrined in Article 1 of the Charter, to respect for private and family life enshrined in Article 7 of the Charter, to the protection of personal data enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter, to freedom of expression and information, including the freedom and pluralism of the media, enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter, to non-discrimination enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter, to respect for the rights of the child enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter and to a high-level of consumer protection enshrined in Article 38 of the Charter;

International Law

8 results found

  • Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 2243 (2018) on Family reunification of refugees and migrants in the Council of Europe member States
    URL
    Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 2243 (2018) on Family reunification of refugees and migrants in the Council of Europe…

    1. The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned about growing political discourse and action against foreigners, which are a real threat to the protection of refugees and in particular their family life. Families must not be torn apart and should not be prevented from reuniting after an often dangerous and challenging departure from their country of origin, where their fundamental rights to safety and security were threatened.

    ...

  • European Convention on Human Rights - Article 8
    URL
    European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

    Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life

    1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.

    2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

  • Convention on the Rights of the Child
    URL
    Convention on the Rights of the Child

    Article 16

    1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.

    2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

  • Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
    URL
    Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Article 16

    Article 16

    1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women:

    (a) The same right to enter into marriage;

    (b) The same right freely to choose a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent;

    (c) The same rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution;

    (d) The same rights and responsibilities as parents, irrespective of their marital status, in matters relating to their children; in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;

    (e) The same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights;

    (f) The same rights and responsibilities with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of children, or similar institutions where these concepts exist in national legislation; in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;

    (g) The same personal rights as husband and wife, including the right to choose a family name, a profession and an occupation;

    (h) The same rights for both spouses in respect of the ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property, whether free of charge or for a valuable consideration.

    2. The betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory.

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    URL
    International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

    Article 17

    1. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.

    2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Article 22
    URL
    Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Article 22

    Article 22 – Respect for privacy

    1. No person with disabilities, regardless of place of residence or living arrangements, shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence or other types of communication or to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation. Persons with disabilities have the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

    2. States Parties shall protect the privacy of personal, health and rehabilitation information of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.

  • Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
    URL
    Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

    Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2018

  • Human Rights Council Resolution 29/22 (2015) - Protection of the family: contribution of the family to the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living for its members, particularly through its role in poverty eradication and achieving su...
    URL
    (Human Rights Council Resolution 29/22 (2015) )

    C. Right to privacy and family life
    ‘34. Article 12 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights provides that “[n]o one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence.” A similar provision is found in Article 17(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in other United Nations instruments. This right has been interpreted broadly, encompassing inter alia the protection against forced evictions, the demolition of homes or property, the destruction of traditional burial grounds, and the expulsion of foreigners. The right to family life also applies in relation to persons deprived of liberty, who should be allowed to communicate with their families, subject only to reasonable restrictions established by law.
    35. The right to family life is reflected in the general preference for preserving the family unit and non-separation of its members, particularly dependent members. The Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms the right of children not to be separated from their parents against their will, except where “necessary for the best interest of the child,” such as in cases of abuse or neglect (art. 9.1), following a judicial determination to this effect. Children deprived of their family environment should be provided alternative care (art. 20), and, whenever possible, to have contact with their parents (art. 9(3)). According to article 23(4) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in no case shall a child be separated from parents on the basis of a disability of either the child or one or both of the parents.
    36. The Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families requires States to ensure “the protection of the unity of the families,” including by facilitating the reunification of documented migrants with their spouses and dependent children (art. 44). The Convention on the Rights of the Child urges State Parties to deal with such requests in a “positive, humane and expeditious manner” (art. 10).‘

Publications and data

  • Fundamental Rights Report
    11
    June
    2026

    Fundamental Rights Report - Challenges and achievements in 2025

    The Fundamental Rights Report: Challenges and Achievements in 2025 is FRA’s flagship annual publication. It provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments from 2025. This year, it focuses on four areas: rights protection in a rapidly changing digital environment; the housing crisis and rising homelessness rates; employment challenges for people from non-EU countries; and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The publication is a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed about the EU’s shifting landscape of fundamental rights.
    New Africa / adobestock.com, 2026
  • In brief / Factsheet
    22
    May
    2026

    Right to be forgotten: ECtHR and CJEU case-law - Joint Factsheet - February 2026 Update

    This factsheet examines the "right to be forgotten" within the context of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights. It emphasizes the intersections of these legal frameworks, with particular attention to case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    May
    2026

    Encryption and concerns about access to private online communication – people’s views across the EU

    The ability to communicate freely and privately online is protected under Article 7 of the EU Charter; it is a crucial enabler of other fundamental rights, particularly as the world becomes increasingly digital. This paper presents results from an EU-wide survey about people’s views on encryption of their private online communication. It looks, for example, at concern regarding access by outside actors to information shared when using private messaging applications. The results indicate that people highly value encryption and at the same time have concerns about online communications being accessed without their knowledge or permission. It provides a timely evidence base to shape policy discussions on internal security and digital privacy.
    FRA, 2026
  • Periodic updates / Series
    21
    April
    2026

    Migration and Fundamental Rights Bulletin - 1/2026

    From 2015 to 2023, FRA regularly published bulletins on fundamental rights issues related to migration and asylum. As part of the EU's 2024 Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, FRA is now restarting this reporting ahead of the June 2026 implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. This first bulletin in the new series takes stock of the situation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees as of March 2026. It looks at key developments between January 2025 and the end of March 2026, as well as ongoing problems and new areas of concern.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    27
    March
    2026

    Protecting children on social media – Views on age limits

    This publication presents findings from an EU-wide survey on public attitudes to children’s use of social media. It presents people’s key concerns and their views on the minimum age limits for accessing social media platforms. The survey draws on the views of both teenagers and adults – those most directly affected. The findings offer a useful evidence base for policy discussions on social media age restrictions in the EU.
    Drazen/AdobeStock, 2026
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    22
    January
    2026

    Regulating online terrorist content – Balancing public safety and fundamental rights

    Online terrorist content is a threat to fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy. EU measures to tackle such content aim to prevent terrorism while upholding these values. FRA’s report looks at how online terrorist content is detected and removed under EU legislation. It highlights challenges in interpreting rules, risks of over-removal and potential impacts on freedom of expression. It finds that moderation practices by authorities and platforms can disproportionately affect certain groups, such as Muslims and Arabic speakers, while far-right content often receives less scrutiny. The findings, based on research and expert interviews with those addressing online terrorist content, offer ways to improve transparency in content moderation and to better balance public security and fundamental rights, contributing to wider debates on regulating online content responsibly.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    4
    December
    2025

    Assessing High-risk Artificial Intelligence: Fundamental Rights Risks

    Artificial Intelligence comes with both benefits and risks. Safe AI use that accounts for fundamental rights is thus crucial. While the 2024 EU AI Act was a milestone in this regard, its broad definitions regarding AI systems and high-risk AI could introduce loopholes for fundamental rights compliance. This report offers an empirical basis for much-needed practical guidance on the Act’s implementation. Based on interviews with AI developers, sellers, and users, FRA addresses challenges of its use in critical domains, like asylum, education, and employment. Our findings help guide next steps in realising the AI Act’s potential to ensure responsible innovation.
    IDOL'foto / Adobestock.com, 2025
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    13
    November
    2025

    Digitalising Justice: A fundamental rights-based approach

    FRA analysed 31 digital tools and systems across seven EU Member States, exploring potential positive and negative effects on victims, claimants and defendants. By identifying risks early, investing in skills and training, and embedding protections from the outset, policymakers and practitioners can build effective and inclusive justice systems. This report provides practical suggestions to help ensure that digitalised justice systems are accessible and deliver fair outcomes for all.