Same-sex marriage in Estonia

Part of the LGBTQ rights series
Marriage

Recognized

Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage
Minimal recognition
See also
Notes
  1. ^ a b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
  2. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
  3. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
  4. ^ a b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
  5. ^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
  6. ^ a b c d e The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
  7. ^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
  8. ^ Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.
  9. ^ Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
  10. ^ Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
  11. ^ Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
  12. ^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
  13. ^ Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.
  1. ^ a b Not yet in effect.
LGBTQ portal

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Estonia since 1 January 2024.[1][2] The government elected in the March 2023 election, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and consisting of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, vowed to legalize same-sex marriage.[3] Legislation to open marriage to same-sex couples was introduced to the Riigikogu in May 2023, and was approved in a final reading by 55 votes to 34 on 20 June. It was signed into law by President Alar Karis on 27 June,[4] and took effect on 1 January 2024.[5] Estonia was the first Baltic state, the first post-Soviet state, the twentieth country in Europe, and the 35th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

Registered partnerships which provide some of the rights, benefits and obligations of marriage have been available to same-sex couples since 1 January 2016.[6]

  1. ^ "Estonia to allow same-sex marriage starting in 2024". AP News. 2023-06-20. Archived from the original on 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  2. ^ "Same-sex marriage now legal in Estonia". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Estonia PM focused on defence spending and same sex marriage law". Reuters. 12 April 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. ^ "President kuulutas välja abieluvõrdsuse seaduse". Postimees (in Estonian). 2023-06-27. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  5. ^ "Government approves draft same-sex marriage act". ERR News. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Estonia legalises gay marriage – just". The Independent. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.