Direktiv 2004/38 indrømmer derfor medlemsstaterne et skøn, hvorefter de kan pålægge tredjelandsstatsborgere, som er ægtefæller til unionsborgere, en betingelse om forudgående lovligt ophold i en anden medlemsstat.
He argued that Directive 2004/38 therefore leaves Member States discretion to impose on nationals of nonmember countries who are spouses of Union citizens a condition of prior lawful residence in another Member State.