Canton Laws
The Canton of Geneva has had a law on cantonal level, "Registered Partnership" or "PACS" (Pacte civil de solidarité), since 2001. It grants unmarried couples, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, many rights, responsibilities and protections that married couples have. However, it does not allow benefits in taxation, social security, or health insurance premiums (unlike the federal law). The origin of the PACS lies in the French law of the same name.
On September 22, 2002, the canton of Zurich passed a same-sex partnership law by referendum that goes further than Geneva's law, but requires couples to live together for six months before registering.
In July 2004, the canton of Neuchâtel passed a law recognizing unmarried couples.
Read more about this topic: Registered Partnership In Switzerland
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