Same-sex marriage in Andorra

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Andorra since February 17, 2023. Before that, same-sex couples could enter into stable unions starting in March 2005, which gave them some of the same rights as married couples. Later, in December 2014, civil unions were introduced, offering even more rights to same-sex couples.

In July 2022, the General Council voted to allow civil marriage for same-sex couples. The law was approved by Co-Prince Emmanuel Macron in August 2022 and became effective six months later.

Andorra became the second European microstate, the nineteenth country in Europe, and the 34th in the world to permit same-sex marriage. Now, marriage is the only legal way for couples to form a union, no matter their sex, and civil unions are no longer available.

Stable unions

On 21 February 2005, Andorra's government approved a law allowing "stable unions." This law was announced and made official on 23 March 2005. These unions gave same-sex couples some of the same rights as married couples, like support and help if they separate.

People wanting to join in a stable union had to meet certain rules, like living together and not being closely related. They needed to fill out forms and give documents showing their relationship. Once approved, the union was officially recorded after six months. Couples in a stable union had rights such as helping each other and getting support if they split up. However, only couples where one partner was a man and the other a woman could adopt children.

Civil unions

On June 2, 2014, the ruling party in Andorra introduced a bill to create civil unions. These unions gave same-sex couples many of the same rights as marriage, except they were not called "marriage." The bill also allowed same-sex couples to adopt children together. After months of discussion, the bill was approved by the General Council in November 2014 and took effect on December 25, 2014.

By the end of 2017, 35 civil unions had taken place in Andorra. The ability to enter into a civil union ended on February 17, 2023, and all existing unions became civil marriages.

Same-sex marriage

On 17 February 2023, same-sex marriage became legal in Andorra. Before this, same-sex couples could enter into stable unions starting in 2005, which gave them some of the rights of marriage. Later, in 2014, civil unions were introduced, offering more rights to same-sex couples.

In 2022, the General Council voted to allow same-sex couples to have civil marriages. This means that same-sex couples now have all the same legal rights, benefits, and responsibilities as different-sex couples when they marry. This change made Andorra one of the last countries in Western Europe to allow same-sex marriage.

Public opinion

In 2013, a survey by the Institute of Andorran Studies found that 70% of people in Andorra supported same-sex marriage. Nineteen percent were against it, and 11% were unsure or did not want to answer.