Recognition of same-sex unions in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has offered registered partnerships for same-sex couples since 1 July 2006. Registered partnerships grant several of the rights of marriage, including inheritance, the right to declare a same-sex partner as next of kin, hospital visitation rights, jail and prison visitation rights, spousal privilege and alimony rights. The registered partnership law was passed in March 2006 and went into effect on 1 July 2006. The country also grants unregistered cohabitation status to "persons living in a common household" giving couples inheritance and succession rights in housing.

A same-sex marriage bill passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies in June 2023, but was rejected at third reading in February 2024 in favor of a bill expanding the rights of registered partnerships. This bill was approved by the Senate in April 2024 and was later signed by President Petr Pavel. The law, which grants registered partners the same rights, obligations and responsibilities as married opposite-sex couples, apart from the title of marriage and joint adoption (though stepchild adoption is permitted), went into force on 1 January 2025. Polling suggests that a large majority of Czechs support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

[kon-1] 1 2 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.

[usa-4] 1 2 Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations of the US. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.

[israel-5] Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights in Israel. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.

[eu-6] 1 2 3 4 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 confer some limited legal benefits in China, including decisions about medical and personal care.

[9] Hong Kong provides inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.

[10] Indian courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.

[11] Most Japanese cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.

[12] Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse provide residency rights in Namibia.

[13] Romania provides hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.