LGBTQ rights in the European Union

LGBTQ rights in European Union
European Union
Legal statusNever criminalised in EU law.
Last state criminalisation repealed in 1998.
MilitaryAllowed to serve openly in all states
Discrimination protectionsOutlawed in employment with further protections in some member states' law
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsSame-sex marriage in 16/27 states
Recognition of same-sex unions in 24/27 states
No recognition of same-sex couples in 3/27 states
European Court of Justice ruling requires recognition of same-sex marriages conducted in another member state, however states aren't obliged to perform them domestically. (Cupriak-Trojan and Trojan v Wojewoda Mazowiecki)
RestrictionsSame-sex marriage constitutional ban in 7/27 states.
AdoptionJoint adoption in 18/27 states
Step-child adoption in 19/27 states

The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are protected under the European Union's (EU) treaties and law. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in all EU member states and discrimination in employment has been banned since 2000. However, EU states have different laws when it comes to any greater protection, same-sex civil union, same-sex marriage, and adoption by same-sex couples. On 25 November 2025, the ECJ ruled that member states must recognise same-sex marriages lawfully concluded in another member state, even though they are not obliged to legalise same-sex marriage domestically.

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