On November 25, the European Union's (EU) top court ruled that member states must recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in another EU country when couples move or reside across borders. The case involved two Polish citizens married in Berlin whose marriage was not recognized in Poland.
The Court of Justice said this refusal violated EU rules on free movement and family life, stating in a press release that “member states are required to recognize, for the purpose of the exercise of the rights conferred by EU law, the marital status lawfully acquired in another Member State”.
The ruling does not force countries to legalize same-sex marriage domestically, but they must acknowledge such unions were established outside of their country of origin.
Compiled From: Ferdinand Knapp, “Top EU court mandates same-sex marriage recognition across borders,” Politico, Nov. 25, 2025.