Recognition Of Same-sex Unions In Europe
Debate has occurred throughout Europe over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.
Currently 22 of the 51 countries in Europe recognize some type of same-sex unions, among them a majority of members of the European Union. Nine European countries legally recognize same-sex marriage, namely Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The United Kingdom law, which covers England and Wales only, will take effect in 2014. An additional fourteen have a form of civil union or unregistered cohabitation. San Marino only allows immigration and cohabitation of a citizen's partner. Several countries are currently considering same-sex union recognition.
The constitutions of Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia and Ukraine define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
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