Overview
- Two Polish citizens married in Germany in 2018 won their case after Poland refused to transcribe their marriage.
- The court found that non-recognition hinders free movement and violates the right to private and family life, creating serious administrative and professional disadvantages.
- Member states must recognize such marriages for the exercise of rights under EU law, but they are not required to legalize same-sex marriage domestically.
- The ruling has EU-wide effect, obliging all member states to acknowledge same-sex marriages lawfully concluded in other EU countries for EU-law purposes.
- In Poland, LGBT groups welcomed the decision and expect transcription requests from an estimated 30,000–40,000 couples, while conservative politicians denounced a sovereignty breach and the president has signaled a veto of civil-union measures.