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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Same-sex marriage map Europe|align=right|size=300px}}
{{Same-sex unions}}
Debate has occurred throughout ''']''' over proposals to legalize ] as well as ]s.

Currently 22 of the 51 countries in Europe recognize some type of same-sex unions, among them a majority of members of the European Union. Nine European countries legally recognize same-sex marriage, namely ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] law, which covers ] only, will take effect on 13 March 2014. An additional fourteen have a form of ] or unregistered ]. ] only allows immigration and cohabitation of a citizen's partner. Several countries are currently considering same-sex union recognition.

The constitutions of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

== Current situation ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%"
! Status
! Jurisdiction
! Legal since
! ] member
|-
| rowspan=10 | Marriage <br><small>(10 jurisdictions)</small>
| {{flagicon|Belgium|size=24px}} ]
| 2003
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Denmark|size=24px}} ]:
* {{flagicon|Denmark|size=24px}} Denmark proper
| <br /> 2012
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|France|size=24px}} ]
| 2013
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Iceland|size=24px}} ]
| 2010
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Netherlands|size=24px}} ]:
* {{flagicon|Netherlands|size=24px}} Netherlands proper
| <br /> 2001
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Norway|size=24px}} ]
| 2009
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Portugal|size=24px}} ]
| 2010
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Spain|size=24px}} ]
| 2005
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Sweden|size=24px}} ]
| 2009
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom|size=24px}} ]:
* {{flagicon|England|size=24px}}{{flagicon|Wales|size=24px}} England & Wales
| <br /> 2014*
| ]
|-
| rowspan=14 | Other type of partnership<br /><small>(15 jurisdictions)</small>
| {{flagicon|Andorra|size=24px}} ]
| 2005
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Austria|size=24px}} ]
| 2010
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic|size=24px}} ]
| 2006
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Finland|size=24px}} ]
| 2002
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Germany|size=24px}} ]
| 2001
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Hungary|size=24px}} ]
| 2009
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Ireland|size=24px}} ]
| 2011
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Isle of Man|size=24px}} ]
| 2011
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Jersey|size=24px}} ]
| 2012
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Liechtenstein|size=24px}} ]
| 2011
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Luxembourg|size=24px}} ]
| 2004
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Slovenia|size=24px}} ]
| 2006
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Switzerland|size=24px}} ]
| 2007
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom|size=24px}} ]:
* {{flagicon|Northern Ireland|size=24px}} Northern Ireland
* {{flagicon|Scotland|size=24px}} Scotland
| <br /> 2005<br/ >2005
| ]
|-
| rowspan=1 |Unregistered cohabitation <br /><small>(1 jurisdiction)</small>
| {{flagicon|Croatia|size=24px}} ]
| 2003
| ]
|-
| rowspan=23 | No recognition <br /><small>(23 jurisdictions)</small>
| {{flagicon|Albania|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Armenia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Cyprus|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Denmark|size=24px}} ]:
* {{flagicon|Faroe Islands|size=24px}} ]
| <br /> &mdash;
| <br /> ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Estonia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Georgia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Gibraltar|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Greece|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Guernsey|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Italy|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Kazakhstan|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Kosovo|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Macedonia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Malta|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Monaco|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Romania|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Russia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|San Marino|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Slovakia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Turkey|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Vatican City|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| rowspan=11 | Constitutional ban on marriage<br /><small>(11 countries)</small>
| {{flagicon|Belarus|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Bulgaria|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Croatia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Hungary|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Latvia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Lithuania|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Moldova|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Montenegro|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Poland|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Serbia|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|-
| {{flagicon|Ukraine|size=24px}} ]
| &mdash;
| ]
|}
{{small|* Not yet in effect}}

== Future legislation ==

=== Same-sex marriage===

The governments of Scotland and Luxembourg have introduced legislation which would permit same-sex marriage. The government of the Faroe Islands intends to do so in the near future. A citizen's initiative proposing same-sex marriage has received the required number of signatures and a vote is proposed in Finland. A referendum is proposed to allow a constitutional amendment in favour of same-sex marriage in Ireland.

''']''': A bill that would legalise same-sex marriage has been submitted to the ] in November 2013. An opinion poll in May 2013 showed a clear majority of the population support same-sex marriage.<ref></ref>

''']''': In 2013, a proposal to legalise same-sex marriage with cross-party support was voted down by the Legal Affairs Committee in a 9–8 vote.<ref></ref> However, following the rejection, a citizen's initiative by the Tahdon2013 campaign received the required number of signatures for the bill to be considered by parliament. The collection of signatures ended in September 2013 and was sent to the Legal Affairs Committee afterwards, with proposals for a vote in 2014.<ref>{{fi icon}} </ref> A March 2013 survey by Taloustutkimus found that 58% of Finns supported same-sex marriage.<ref></ref>

''']''': Ireland will hold a referendum on the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the first half of 2015.<ref>{{fr icon}} </ref><ref></ref>

''']''': In 2009, the government of ] confirmed its intention to allow same-sex couples to marry.<ref>{{fr icon}} </ref><ref></ref> In 2010, the government drafted a bill which would permit same-sex marriage<ref>{{fr icon}} </ref><ref>{{fr icon}} </ref> and submitted it to the parliament.<ref>{{fr}} </ref> However, after delay and debate surrounding adoption rights, a vote was not held before early elections in October 2013 due to the government's resignation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/news/luxembourg/story/20025665|title=Adoption et mariage gay devront attendre|date=25 July 2013|publisher=L'essentiel}}</ref> The new government expects same-sex marriage to be legalised in the first trimester of 2014.

''']''': On 2 September 2011, the Scottish Government launched a consultation on the introduction of same-sex marriage, and removing the ban on civil partnership registrations taking place on religious premises.<ref>{{cite web|title=The registration of civil partnership ¦ Same sex marriage|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/17867/samesex|work=www.scotland.gov.uk|publisher=Scottish Government|accessdate=17 September 2011}}</ref> On 4 September 2012, in its Programme for Government, the Scottish Government announced that it would introduce a bill in the next Parliamentary session to allow same sex couples to get married, through religious and civil ceremonies, allow civil partnerships to be registered through religious and belief ceremonies, and make other changes to the law on marriage registration. A draft bill was published, consultation on which ended in March 2013.<ref></ref> The Scottish Government introduced the bill before the Scottish Parliament on 26 June 2013.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/06/27/bill-published-to-make-same-sex-marriage-legal-in-scotland/|title=Bill published to make same-sex marriage legal in Scotland|date=27 June 2013|publisher=PinkNews}}</ref> On 20 November, the ] passed the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill through the first Stage by a 98-15 vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=MSPs approve same-sex marriage bill|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/msps-approve-same-sex-marriage-bill-1-3196245|accessdate=November 20, 2013|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=November 20, 2013}}</ref> On 4 February 2014, the bill was approved in a 105-18 vote and awaits for Royal Assent.<ref></ref>

=== Civil unions, registered partnerships and cohabitation ===

The governments of ], ], ] and ] have all announced their intention to introduce legislation for civil unions, providing for some or all of the rights of marriage. The government of ] undertook a consultation on the recognition of same sex couples in 2012. Several bills, including ones for civil unions have been proposed for in Italy.

''']''': The Croatian government led by ] has plans to introduce civil unions in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/croatia-recognise-same-sex-marriages220512|title=3gaystarnews.com |publisher=gaystarnews.com |date=22 May 2012 |accessdate=22 May 2012}}</ref> Legislation is expected to be introduced till January 2014.<ref>http://www.crol.hr/portal/aktivizam-politika/politika/4970-zakon-o-ivotnom-partnerstvu-u-prosincu-pred-saborom.html</ref>

''']''': On 17 January 2013, then Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou said that her ministry was working on a bill creating civil partnerships.<ref></ref> In February 2013, then government accepted the draft bill.<ref></ref> In March 2013, ] president ] and his government reaffirmed their support for the bill.<ref></ref> On 18 December 2013, the spokesman of the government Christos Stylianides said the government is preparing a bill on cohabitation and will amend the Criminal Code to criminalize homophobic rhetoric.<ref>http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2013/12/18/Gay-Cyprus-government-prepares-bill-cohabitation_9798595.html</ref> The civil union bill will be delivered into parliament in April<ref>http://www.towleroad.com/2014/02/cyprus-to-hold-first-ever-gay-pride-parade-in-conjunction-with-15-day-festival.html</ref>.
''']''': On 28 April 2013 the Letta Government, a grand coalition cabinet, was formed by some members from ], ] and ]. Only the Democratic Party pledged its support to same-sex relationship recognition during the political campaign.
On 10 May 2013 the Equalities Minister, ] (PD), said that she will introduce a bill which will recognise same-sex unions and cohabitants rights.<ref></ref> On December 2013, the new leader of ], ], spoke in favor of civil partnerships during a party assembly. On 20 December 2013 the "Civil Union and Cohabitation agreement bill" was introduced into the Senate, and will be disscussed in January 2014.<ref>http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=17299&MediaType=1&Category=24</ref>

''']''': The ] which won a majority in the ] has pledged to introduce civil unions.<ref></ref> In September 2013, the government of Malta introduced legislation into the Parliament of Malta which would establish civil unions with the same rights as marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Equality-minister-presents-civil-union-bill-20131014|title=Civil unions to be equal to marriage in all but name|date=14 October 2013|publisher=Malta Today}}</ref>

''']''': On January 29, 2013, the ] (SLD) submitted to the ] Parliament a new draft law on registered relationship (the previous draft law with minor changes), which will regulate the relationship of same-sex and opposite-sex couples.<ref>{{pl icon}} </ref><ref>{{pl icon}} </ref> Similarly, on July 1, 2013 the ] (RP) re-submitted its own previous draft law.<ref>{{pl icon}} </ref><ref>{{pl icon}} </ref> Also, the ] (PO) will submit to the Parliament its own draft law on "partnership agreement" (more conservative as the previous draft law).<ref>{{pl icon}}</ref>

'''The European Union''': Debate has occurred throughout the European Union over a proposal which would require each member to legally recognize each other's same-sex marriages as well as any member's ]s and registered partnerships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.365gay.com/news/eu-calls-for-gay-couple-rights-end-to-homophobia/ |title=365gay.com |publisher=365gay.com |date=15 January 2009 |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Committee |first=Action |url=http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/eu_recognize_same-sex_unions_throughout_europe |title=gayrights.change.org |publisher=gayrights.change.org |date=12 January 2009 |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref>

== Public opinion ==
Public support for same-sex marriage from EU member states as measured from a 2006 poll is the greatest in the ] (82%), ] (71%), ] (69%), ] (66%), ] (65%), ] (58%), ] (54%), ] (52%) and the ] (52%).<ref name="EU"/> However, other polls have also placed Germany and ] between 54% to 65%,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/Actualite/Couples-homosexuels-Les-Francais-sont-pour-l-adoption-90821/|title=Couples homosexuels: Les Français sont pour l'adoption|trans_title=Gay Couples: The French are for adoption|date=27 June 2008|language=French|work=Le Journal du Dimanche}}</ref> the UK at 61%.<ref>, The Times, 27 June 2009</ref>

After the approval of same-sex marriage in Portugal in January 2010, 52% of the Portuguese population stated that they were in favor of the legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=101526 |title=New England's largest GLBT newspaper |publisher=Bay Windows |date=25 January 2010 |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> In 2008 58% of the Norwegian voters supported the Marriage Act, which was introduced in the same year, and 31 percent were against it.<ref>{{cite web|author=AVJonathan Tisdall&nbsp;&nbsp; |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2390580.ece |title=Support for gay marriage - Aftenposten - News in English |publisher=Aftenposten.no |date= |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> In January 2013 54.1% of Italians respondents supported same-sex marriage.<ref>{{it icon}} Datamonitor, 7 January 2013</ref> In a late January 2013 survey 77,2% of Italians respondents supported the recognition of same-sex unions.<ref>{{it icon}} Eurispes, 31 January 2013</ref>

In Ireland, a 2008 survey revealed 84% of people supported civil unions for same-sex couples (and 58% for same-sex marriage),<ref>{{cite web|author=31 March 2008 - 11:06:13 |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhojojeyauid/ |title='&#39;Increased support for gay marriage - Survey'&#39; |publisher=BreakingNews.ie |date=31 March 2008 |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> while a 2010 survey showed 67% supported same-sex marriage<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0915/1224278896417.html |title=Yes to gay marriage and premarital sex: a nation strips off its conservative values |publisher=Irish Times |accessdate=15 September 2010 |date=9 September 2010}}</ref> by 2012 this figure had risen to 73% in support <ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/23/poll-finds-irish-support-for-gay-marriage-at-73/</ref>

In ], a poll conducted in June 2013 revealed that 55,3% of Croats think that marriage should be constitutionally defined as a union between a man and a woman, while 31,1% do not agree with the idea.<ref>http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/55-3-posto-hrvata-brak-zene-muskarca-ustavu-clanak-565686</ref>

In ] a 2013 public poll revealed that 70% of Poles reject the idea of registered partnerships.<ref></ref> Another survey in February 2013 revealed that 55% were against and 38% of Poles support the idea of registered partnerships for same-sex couples.<ref></ref>

In comparison, support tends to be the lowest in ], ], ], ] and ]. The average percentage of support for same-sex marriage in the European Union as of 2006 when it had 25 members was 44%, which had descended from a previous percentage of 53%. The change was caused by more socially conservative nations joining the EU.<ref name="EU">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_highlights_en.pdf |title=EU Public Opinion: SSM |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|LGBT|Europe}}
* ]
* ]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Recognition Of Same-Sex Unions In Europe}}
]
]

Revision as of 09:24, 25 February 2014