Regulation on recognising foreign same-sex marriages comes into force in Poland
The decision came in response to an EU ruling requiring Poland to recognise such unions.
Polish law now requires registry offices to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other European Union countries, following a government regulation issued in May. This decision came after the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) ordered Poland to recognize such unions. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski expressed joy over the new law, stating it gives people dignity.
Katarzyna Kotula, the government's plenipotentiary for equality, warned that local authorities violating the new rules will be breaking the law. However, one mayor in a conservative region has already declared his administration will not comply, arguing it would violate Poland's constitution, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
While domestic Polish law still does not permit same-sex unions, local authorities have begun transcribing same-sex marriages conducted abroad into their registries, listing one spouse as a "man" and the other as a "woman". Some local authorities have refused to recognize foreign same-sex marriages, citing the constitution, but the government maintains these officials will face legal consequences.
Written by urgent.news from Notes from Poland's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
