In Poland, the government is now applying rules that allow same-sex couples married abroad to enter their marriage certificates in Poland’s civil registry.
The changes were introduced following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU), which obliged Poland to recognize such unions.
Polish law still does not recognize same-sex unions in any form. However, last year, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Poland must recognize same-sex marriages concluded in other EU member states. Refusing to do so violated EU citizens’ freedom of movement and right to private and family life, the court said, even as it stressed that Poland was not required to introduce same-sex marriage domestically.
A similar ruling was later issued by Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court.
In the past, Poland’s civil registry system only allowed marriages between a man and a woman to be entered. But a government regulation issued in May changed the rules to allow the registration of both opposite-sex and same-sex marriages.
Eleven couples already received new Polish marriage certificates by August 24, the first working day since the changes took effect.
Applications may now be submitted at any civil registry office.
