In compliance with two decisions by the Constitutional Court, the confirmed amendments ensure there will be no more discrimination between heterosexual and same-sex couples in the definition of marriage. The same arrangement is being introduced for partners who are not married and live in extra-marital relationships. With the amended definition of marriage and the regulation of extra-marital relationships for heterosexual and same-sex partners, partners in these relationships are equal in all legal consequences determined by the Family Code, and in legal consequences in other legal domains. Legally recognised relationships in extra-marital and marital relationships and families are not only important for the exercise of rights and duties in the field of family law, but also affect numerous rights and duties of individuals in other legal fields, including laws governing succession, damages, penalties, work, taxes and social security. The regulation of this field is therefore crucial for ensuring the equal treatment of partners in heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

The adopted amendments to the Family Code in compliance with the decisions by the Constitutional Court are a consolation in the history of systematic violations of human rights, and we at the ministry are firmly convinced that the recognition of the rights of same-sex partners means a move in the direction of a more just and tolerant society.