diff --git a/docs/email-validation.md b/docs/email-validation.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74a1ffd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/email-validation.md
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+# Email Validation Strategy
+
+We use `EctoCommons.EmailValidator` with both `:html_input` and `:pow` checks, defined centrally in `Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks/0`.
+
+## Checks Used
+
+- `:html_input` - Pragmatic validation matching browser `<input type="email">` behavior
+- `:pow` - Stricter validation following email spec, supports internationalization (Unicode)
+
+## Rationale
+
+Using both checks ensures:
+- **Compatibility with common email providers** (`:html_input`) - Matches what users expect from web forms
+- **Compliance with email standards** (`:pow`) - Follows RFC 5322 and related specifications
+- **Support for international email addresses** (`:pow`) - Allows Unicode characters in email addresses
+
+This dual approach provides a balance between user experience (accepting common email formats) and technical correctness (validating against email standards).
+
+## Usage
+
+The checks are used consistently across all email validation points:
+
+- `Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSV.validate_row/3` - CSV import validation
+- `Mv.Membership.Member` validations - Member resource validation
+- `Mv.Accounts.User` validations - User resource validation
+
+All three locations use `Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks()` to ensure consistency.
+
+## Implementation Details
+
+### CSV Import Validation
+
+The CSV import uses a schemaless changeset for email validation:
+
+```elixir
+changeset =
+  {%{}, %{email: :string}}
+  |> Ecto.Changeset.cast(%{email: Map.get(member_attrs, :email)}, [:email])
+  |> Ecto.Changeset.update_change(:email, &String.trim/1)
+  |> Ecto.Changeset.validate_required([:email])
+  |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email, checks: Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks())
+```
+
+This approach:
+- Trims whitespace before validation
+- Validates email is required
+- Validates email format using the centralized checks
+- Provides consistent error messages via Gettext
+
+### Resource Validations
+
+Both `Member` and `User` resources use similar schemaless changesets within their Ash validations, ensuring consistent validation behavior across the application.
+
+## Changing the Validation Strategy
+
+To change the email validation checks, update the `@email_validator_checks` constant in `Mv.Constants`. This will automatically apply to all validation points.
+
+**Note:** Changing the validation strategy may affect existing data. Consider:
+- Whether existing emails will still be valid
+- Migration strategy for invalid emails
+- User communication if validation becomes stricter
+
diff --git a/lib/accounts/user.ex b/lib/accounts/user.ex
index ceedeae..9598b76 100644
--- a/lib/accounts/user.ex
+++ b/lib/accounts/user.ex
@@ -290,7 +290,9 @@ defmodule Mv.Accounts.User do
         changeset2 =
           {%{}, %{email: :string}}
           |> Ecto.Changeset.cast(%{email: email_string}, [:email])
-          |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email, checks: [:html_input, :pow])
+          |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email,
+            checks: Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks()
+          )
 
         if changeset2.valid? do
           :ok
diff --git a/lib/membership/member.ex b/lib/membership/member.ex
index 41e02b1..5a4d01c 100644
--- a/lib/membership/member.ex
+++ b/lib/membership/member.ex
@@ -453,7 +453,9 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Member do
       changeset2 =
         {%{}, %{email: :string}}
         |> Ecto.Changeset.cast(%{email: email}, [:email])
-        |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email, checks: [:html_input, :pow])
+        |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email,
+          checks: Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks()
+        )
 
       if changeset2.valid? do
         :ok
diff --git a/lib/mv/constants.ex b/lib/mv/constants.ex
index 82a8400..73bfcd9 100644
--- a/lib/mv/constants.ex
+++ b/lib/mv/constants.ex
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ defmodule Mv.Constants do
 
   @custom_field_prefix "custom_field_"
 
+  @email_validator_checks [:html_input, :pow]
+
   def member_fields, do: @member_fields
 
   @doc """
@@ -30,4 +32,23 @@ defmodule Mv.Constants do
       "custom_field_"
   """
   def custom_field_prefix, do: @custom_field_prefix
+
+  @doc """
+  Returns the email validator checks used for EctoCommons.EmailValidator.
+
+  We use both `:html_input` and `:pow` checks:
+  - `:html_input` - Pragmatic validation matching browser `<input type="email">` behavior
+  - `:pow` - Stricter validation following email spec, supports internationalization (Unicode)
+
+  Using both ensures:
+  - Compatibility with common email providers (html_input)
+  - Compliance with email standards (pow)
+  - Support for international email addresses (pow)
+
+  ## Examples
+
+      iex> Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks()
+      [:html_input, :pow]
+  """
+  def email_validator_checks, do: @email_validator_checks
 end
diff --git a/lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex b/lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
index 26756b4..ec729cd 100644
--- a/lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+++ b/lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSV do
   alias Mv.Membership.Import.CsvParser
   alias Mv.Membership.Import.HeaderMapper
 
+  use Gettext, backend: MvWeb.Gettext
+
   @doc """
   Prepares CSV content for import by parsing, mapping headers, and validating limits.
 
@@ -295,38 +297,157 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSV do
     {:ok, %{inserted: inserted, failed: failed, errors: Enum.reverse(errors)}}
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Validates a single CSV row before database insertion.
+
+  This function:
+  1. Trims all string values in the member map
+  2. Validates that email is present and not empty after trimming
+  3. Validates email format using EctoCommons.EmailValidator
+  4. Returns structured errors with Gettext-backed messages
+
+  ## Parameters
+
+  - `row_map` - Map with `:member` and `:custom` keys containing field values
+  - `csv_line_number` - Physical line number in CSV (1-based, header is line 1)
+  - `opts` - Optional keyword list (for future extensions)
+
+  ## Returns
+
+  - `{:ok, trimmed_row_map}` - Successfully validated row with trimmed values
+  - `{:error, %Error{}}` - Validation error with structured error information
+
+  ## Examples
+
+      iex> row_map = %{member: %{email: "  john@example.com  "}, custom: %{}}
+      iex> MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, 2, [])
+      {:ok, %{member: %{email: "john@example.com"}, custom: %{}}}
+
+      iex> row_map = %{member: %{}, custom: %{}}
+      iex> MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, 3, [])
+      {:error, %MemberCSV.Error{csv_line_number: 3, field: :email, message: "Email is required."}}
+  """
+  @spec validate_row(map(), pos_integer(), keyword()) ::
+          {:ok, map()} | {:error, Error.t()}
+  def validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, _opts \\ []) do
+    # Safely get member map (handle missing key)
+    member_attrs = Map.get(row_map, :member, %{})
+    custom_attrs = Map.get(row_map, :custom, %{})
+
+    # Validate email using schemaless changeset
+    changeset =
+      {%{}, %{email: :string}}
+      |> Ecto.Changeset.cast(%{email: Map.get(member_attrs, :email)}, [:email])
+      |> Ecto.Changeset.update_change(:email, &String.trim/1)
+      |> Ecto.Changeset.validate_required([:email])
+      |> EctoCommons.EmailValidator.validate_email(:email,
+        checks: Mv.Constants.email_validator_checks()
+      )
+
+    if changeset.valid? do
+      # Apply trimmed email back to member_attrs
+      trimmed_email = Ecto.Changeset.get_change(changeset, :email)
+      trimmed_member = Map.put(member_attrs, :email, trimmed_email) |> trim_string_values()
+      {:ok, %{member: trimmed_member, custom: custom_attrs}}
+    else
+      # Extract first error
+      error = extract_changeset_error(changeset, csv_line_number)
+      {:error, error}
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Extracts the first error from a changeset and converts it to a MemberCSV.Error struct
+  defp extract_changeset_error(changeset, csv_line_number) do
+    case Ecto.Changeset.traverse_errors(changeset, fn {msg, opts} ->
+           Enum.reduce(opts, msg, fn {key, value}, acc ->
+             String.replace(acc, "%{#{key}}", to_string(value))
+           end)
+         end) do
+      %{email: [message | _]} ->
+        # Email-specific error
+        %Error{
+          csv_line_number: csv_line_number,
+          field: :email,
+          message: gettext_error_message(message)
+        }
+
+      errors when map_size(errors) > 0 ->
+        # Get first error (any field)
+        {field, [message | _]} = Enum.at(Enum.to_list(errors), 0)
+
+        %Error{
+          csv_line_number: csv_line_number,
+          field: String.to_existing_atom(to_string(field)),
+          message: gettext_error_message(message)
+        }
+
+      _ ->
+        # Fallback
+        %Error{
+          csv_line_number: csv_line_number,
+          field: :email,
+          message: gettext("Email is invalid.")
+        }
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Maps changeset error messages to appropriate Gettext messages
+  defp gettext_error_message(message) when is_binary(message) do
+    cond do
+      String.contains?(String.downcase(message), "required") or
+          String.contains?(String.downcase(message), "can't be blank") ->
+        gettext("Email is required.")
+
+      String.contains?(String.downcase(message), "invalid") or
+          String.contains?(String.downcase(message), "not a valid") ->
+        gettext("Email is invalid.")
+
+      true ->
+        message
+    end
+  end
+
+  defp gettext_error_message(_), do: gettext("Email is invalid.")
+
   # Processes a single row and creates member with custom field values
   defp process_row(
-         %{member: member_attrs, custom: custom_attrs},
+         row_map,
          line_number,
          custom_field_lookup
        ) do
-    # Prepare custom field values for Ash
-    custom_field_values = prepare_custom_field_values(custom_attrs, custom_field_lookup)
-
-    # Create member with custom field values
-    member_attrs_with_cf =
-      member_attrs
-      |> Map.put(:custom_field_values, custom_field_values)
-      |> trim_string_values()
-
-    # Only include custom_field_values if not empty
-    final_attrs =
-      if Enum.empty?(custom_field_values) do
-        Map.delete(member_attrs_with_cf, :custom_field_values)
-      else
-        member_attrs_with_cf
-      end
-
-    case Mv.Membership.create_member(final_attrs) do
-      {:ok, member} ->
-        {:ok, member}
-
-      {:error, %Ash.Error.Invalid{} = error} ->
-        {:error, format_ash_error(error, line_number)}
-
+    # Validate row before database insertion
+    case validate_row(row_map, line_number, []) do
       {:error, error} ->
-        {:error, %Error{csv_line_number: line_number, field: nil, message: inspect(error)}}
+        # Return validation error immediately, no DB insert attempted
+        {:error, error}
+
+      {:ok, %{member: trimmed_member_attrs, custom: custom_attrs}} ->
+        # Prepare custom field values for Ash
+        custom_field_values = prepare_custom_field_values(custom_attrs, custom_field_lookup)
+
+        # Create member with custom field values
+        member_attrs_with_cf =
+          trimmed_member_attrs
+          |> Map.put(:custom_field_values, custom_field_values)
+
+        # Only include custom_field_values if not empty
+        final_attrs =
+          if Enum.empty?(custom_field_values) do
+            Map.delete(member_attrs_with_cf, :custom_field_values)
+          else
+            member_attrs_with_cf
+          end
+
+        case Mv.Membership.create_member(final_attrs) do
+          {:ok, member} ->
+            {:ok, member}
+
+          {:error, %Ash.Error.Invalid{} = error} ->
+            {:error, format_ash_error(error, line_number)}
+
+          {:error, error} ->
+            {:error, %Error{csv_line_number: line_number, field: nil, message: inspect(error)}}
+        end
     end
   rescue
     e ->
diff --git a/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po b/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
index 6264697..f386236 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
+++ b/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
@@ -2182,6 +2182,16 @@ msgstr "Mitglied wurde erfolgreich erstellt"
 msgid "Member updated successfully"
 msgstr "Mitglied wurde erfolgreich aktualisiert"
 
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is invalid."
+msgstr "E-Mail ist ungültig."
+
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is required."
+msgstr "E-Mail ist erforderlich."
+
 #: lib/mv_web/components/layouts/sidebar.ex
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
 msgid "Roles"
diff --git a/priv/gettext/default.pot b/priv/gettext/default.pot
index b7e0ceb..9df03a5 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/default.pot
+++ b/priv/gettext/default.pot
@@ -2183,6 +2183,15 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Member updated successfully"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is invalid."
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is required."
+
 #: lib/mv_web/components/layouts/sidebar.ex
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "Roles"
diff --git a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
index 6001b60..6b4830b 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
+++ b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
@@ -2183,6 +2183,16 @@ msgstr "Member created successfully"
 msgid "Member updated successfully"
 msgstr "Member updated successfully"
 
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is invalid."
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv/membership/import/member_csv.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Email is required."
+msgstr ""
+
 #: lib/mv_web/components/layouts/sidebar.ex
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
 msgid "Roles"
diff --git a/test/mv/membership/import/member_csv_test.exs b/test/mv/membership/import/member_csv_test.exs
index 356cc19..6edc9d8 100644
--- a/test/mv/membership/import/member_csv_test.exs
+++ b/test/mv/membership/import/member_csv_test.exs
@@ -124,7 +124,52 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSVTest do
       error = List.first(chunk_result.errors)
       assert error.csv_line_number == 2
       assert error.field == :email
-      assert error.message =~ "email"
+      # Error message should come from validate_row (Gettext-backed)
+      assert is_binary(error.message)
+      assert error.message != ""
+    end
+
+    test "returns error for missing email" do
+      chunk_rows_with_lines = [
+        {2, %{member: %{}, custom: %{}}}
+      ]
+
+      column_map = %{}
+      custom_field_map = %{}
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, chunk_result} =
+               MemberCSV.process_chunk(chunk_rows_with_lines, column_map, custom_field_map, opts)
+
+      assert chunk_result.inserted == 0
+      assert chunk_result.failed == 1
+      assert length(chunk_result.errors) == 1
+
+      error = List.first(chunk_result.errors)
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 2
+      assert error.field == :email
+      assert is_binary(error.message)
+    end
+
+    test "returns error for whitespace-only email" do
+      chunk_rows_with_lines = [
+        {3, %{member: %{email: "   "}, custom: %{}}}
+      ]
+
+      column_map = %{email: 0}
+      custom_field_map = %{}
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, chunk_result} =
+               MemberCSV.process_chunk(chunk_rows_with_lines, column_map, custom_field_map, opts)
+
+      assert chunk_result.inserted == 0
+      assert chunk_result.failed == 1
+      assert length(chunk_result.errors) == 1
+
+      error = List.first(chunk_result.errors)
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 3
+      assert error.field == :email
     end
 
     test "returns error for duplicate email" do
@@ -218,6 +263,9 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSVTest do
 
       error = List.first(chunk_result.errors)
       assert error.csv_line_number == 3
+      assert error.field == :email
+      # Error should come from validate_row, not from DB insert
+      assert is_binary(error.message)
     end
 
     test "preserves CSV line numbers in errors" do
@@ -279,6 +327,147 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Import.MemberCSVTest do
     end
   end
 
+  describe "validate_row/3" do
+    test "returns error when email is missing" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 5
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert %MemberCSV.Error{} = error
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 5
+      assert error.field == :email
+      assert error.message != nil
+      assert error.message != ""
+    end
+
+    test "returns error when email is only whitespace" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: "   "}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 3
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert %MemberCSV.Error{} = error
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 3
+      assert error.field == :email
+      assert error.message != nil
+    end
+
+    test "returns error when email is nil" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: nil}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 7
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert %MemberCSV.Error{} = error
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 7
+      assert error.field == :email
+    end
+
+    test "returns error when email format is invalid" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: "invalid-email"}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 4
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert %MemberCSV.Error{} = error
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 4
+      assert error.field == :email
+      assert error.message != nil
+    end
+
+    test "returns {:ok, trimmed_row_map} when email is valid with whitespace" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: "  john@example.com  "}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 2
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, trimmed_row_map} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert trimmed_row_map.member.email == "john@example.com"
+    end
+
+    test "returns {:ok, trimmed_row_map} when email is valid without whitespace" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: "john@example.com"}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 2
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, trimmed_row_map} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert trimmed_row_map.member.email == "john@example.com"
+    end
+
+    test "trims all string values in member map" do
+      row_map = %{
+        member: %{
+          email: "  john@example.com  ",
+          first_name: "  John  ",
+          last_name: "  Doe  "
+        },
+        custom: %{}
+      }
+
+      csv_line_number = 2
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, trimmed_row_map} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert trimmed_row_map.member.email == "john@example.com"
+      assert trimmed_row_map.member.first_name == "John"
+      assert trimmed_row_map.member.last_name == "Doe"
+    end
+
+    test "preserves custom map unchanged" do
+      row_map = %{
+        member: %{email: "john@example.com"},
+        custom: %{"field1" => "value1"}
+      }
+
+      csv_line_number = 2
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, trimmed_row_map} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert trimmed_row_map.custom == %{"field1" => "value1"}
+    end
+
+    test "uses Gettext for error messages" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 5
+      opts = []
+
+      # Test with default locale (should work)
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert is_binary(error.message)
+
+      # Test with German locale
+      Gettext.put_locale(MvWeb.Gettext, "de")
+      assert {:error, error_de} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert is_binary(error_de.message)
+
+      # Test with English locale
+      Gettext.put_locale(MvWeb.Gettext, "en")
+      assert {:error, error_en} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert is_binary(error_en.message)
+
+      # Reset to default
+      Gettext.put_locale(MvWeb.Gettext, "en")
+    end
+
+    test "handles empty opts gracefully" do
+      row_map = %{member: %{email: "john@example.com"}, custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 2
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:ok, _} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+    end
+
+    test "handles missing member key gracefully" do
+      row_map = %{custom: %{}}
+      csv_line_number = 3
+      opts = []
+
+      assert {:error, error} = MemberCSV.validate_row(row_map, csv_line_number, opts)
+      assert %MemberCSV.Error{} = error
+      assert error.csv_line_number == 3
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "module documentation" do
     test "module has @moduledoc" do
       # Check that the module exists and has documentation