Same-sex marriage in Germany

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Germany since 1 October 2017. Before this, same-sex couples could enter into registered life partnerships, which gave them many, but not all, of the rights of marriage. In June 2017, a bill to allow same-sex marriage was passed by the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. It was signed into law by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and became official on 1 October.

This change was important because many people in Germany wanted same-sex couples to have the same rights as married couples. Chancellor Angela Merkel supported letting lawmakers decide their own vote on this issue. After the law was passed, Germans showed strong support for allowing same-sex marriage.

Germany was the first country in Central Europe to allow same-sex marriage nationwide. It was also the fourteenth country in Europe and the 22nd in the world to do so. This meant that same-sex couples could enjoy all the same benefits and responsibilities as other married couples.

Registered life partnerships

The Act on Registered Life Partnerships was a way to give same-sex couples some of the same rights as married couples. It was created by Volker Beck of the Greens and approved by the government in 2000. The Bundestag approved it on 10 November 2000, and it began on 1 August 2001. The first partnership was registered that day for Reinhard Lüschow and Heinz Friedrich Haar in Hanover.

In 2004, more rights were added, such as the chance to adopt a stepchild and simpler rules for divorce. Over time, more rights were given, like equal pension benefits and inheritance tax rules. By the end of 2016, about 44,000 registered partnerships had taken place in Germany.

The ability to create new registered life partnerships ended on 1 October 2017 when same-sex marriage became legal. Couples could keep their registered partnership or change it to marriage.

Same-sex marriage

Summary

Different political groups in Germany had different views on allowing marriage for two people of the same sex. Some groups supported it, while others did not. In October 2017, Germany changed its laws to allow same-sex marriage. This meant that two people who loved each other could get married, no matter if they were both men or both women.

Second Merkel Government

In 2009, a group called the Greens suggested changing the law to allow same-sex marriage. A few years later, some cities tried to make this change, but it was not approved. In 2012, the Greens tried again, but the change was voted down.

Third Merkel Government

Developments in 2013–2017

After elections in 2013, some groups tried to change the law again. There were many discussions and votes, but it took until 2017 for the law to finally change.

Bundestag vote and approval

Karl Kreile and Bodo Mende marrying at the Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin on 1 October 2017, becoming the first same-sex couple to marry in Germany

In June 2017, the leader of Germany, Angela Merkel, said it was time to let members of Parliament decide for themselves if they supported same-sex marriage. Soon after, Parliament voted and approved the change. The law was signed and became official on October 1, 2017. Many couples got married that day.

Reactions and aftermath

Demonstration in favour of same-sex marriage in Freiburg im Breisgau, July 2017

Some people and groups did not agree with the change, but most accepted it. The law was changed to make sure same-sex marriages were treated the same as others.

Marriage statistics

By the end of 2024, over 93,000 same-sex marriages had taken place in Germany.

Religious performance

Supporters of same-sex marriage protesting in front of the German Chancellery building in Berlin, 15 September 2017

Some religious groups in Germany allow same-sex marriages, while others do not. For example, many Protestant churches allow their leaders to perform these marriages, while the Catholic Church does not. However, some Catholic leaders have chosen to bless same-sex couples anyway.

Protestant Church

Many Protestant churches in Germany now allow their leaders to perform same-sex marriages.

Catholic Church

Even though the Catholic Church officially does not allow same-sex marriages, some Catholic leaders have chosen to bless same-sex couples. In recent years, more leaders have supported this.

Number of marriages performed in Germany
Year	Same-sex marriages			Opposite-sex marriages	Total marriages	% same-sex
Year	Male	Female	Total	Opposite-sex marriages	Total marriages	% same-sex
2017	6,080	5,067	11,147	92,209	103,356	12.1%
2018	10,686	11,071	21,757	449,466	482,370	4.51%
2019	6,815	7,206	14,021	416,324	430,345	3.37%
2020	4,663	5,276	9,939	373,304	383,243	2.66%
2021	4,068	4,642	8,710	349,075	357,785	2.43%
2022	4,664	5,379	10,043	380,700	390,743	2.57%
2023	4,319	4,909	9,226	351,766	360,992	2.55%
2024	4,112	4,706	8,818	340,398	349,216	2.53%

Public opinion

Protest sign at Cologne Pride calling on Chancellor Angela Merkel (often referred to by the moniker "Mutti Merkel") to support the legalisation of same-sex marriage, July 2015

The 2006 Eurobarometer found that Germany ranked seventh among European Union countries for support of same-sex marriage, with 52% of people in favor. This was higher than the average support across the European Union, which was 44%.

Polls over the years showed growing support. In early 2013, 66% of Germans supported same-sex marriage. By January 2017, a study showed that 83% of Germans were in favor. In 2023, polls found that around 80% to 84% of Germans supported same-sex marriage, showing strong and increasing acceptance over time.