The European Union’s highest court has delivered a ruling that will reshape how same-sex couples are treated across the bloc. Judges in Luxembourg have confirmed that all EU countries must recognize marriages between people of the same sex if those marriages were lawfully celebrated in another member state.
The decision does not require individual governments to legalize same-sex marriage at home. Instead, it focuses on ensuring that couples do not lose legal status when crossing borders within the EU. In practical terms, this means that married couples must continue to be treated as spouses when moving, working, or settling in another country.
According to the court, the right to move freely within the Union would be severely undermined if couples were forced to give up their marital status simply because they relocated. The ruling therefore ties the recognition of marriage directly to basic EU freedoms, such as residence rights and family unity.
Countries that do not currently allow gay marriage - including Italy, Poland and Romania - will be particularly affected. However, the court stressed that recognizing a marriage performed abroad does not threaten national identity or public order.
Member states may choose different administrative methods to implement the ruling, but they must guarantee that same-sex couples receive the same treatment as heterosexual ones. The decision is widely seen as a major step toward equal rights across Europe.