Family Law · European Union
Secure the Rights of Your Civil Partnership With a Specialist Lawyer
A civil partnership is a formal, legally recognised union that carries real rights and responsibilities — but those rights are only as strong as your understanding of the law where you live. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted family lawyer who handles civil partnership matters across Europe, from formation and recognition to dissolution and the financial consequences.
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Who this is for
For couples entering, living in or ending a registered civil partnership
A civil partnership is a legally recognised relationship, formed by registration, that in many European countries was created to give same-sex couples legal recognition equivalent or similar to marriage. Over time the landscape has shifted: some countries now open marriage to same-sex couples as well, some have converted existing civil partnerships into marriages, and others keep civil partnership as a distinct status with its own rules. The practical differences matter — civil partnerships can affect property, inheritance, pensions, tax, nationality and the legal process for ending the relationship, which may or may not follow the same route as divorce. Because the status, its availability and its legal consequences vary from one European country to the next, and because cross-border recognition is not guaranteed, couples often hold assumptions about their rights that the law does not support. Clarifying exactly where you stand is the first and most valuable step.
Why civil partners get caught out
A civil partnership is only as protective
as the law of the country that governs it.
Rights, recognition and dissolution rules differ by country — and assumptions about them are costly.
Status that varies by country
What a civil partnership is, who may enter one and what it confers differs across Europe. A status that is robust in one country may carry fewer rights, or be unavailable, in the next — and couples rarely know which rules actually govern them.
Rights that fall short of marriage
In some jurisdictions a civil partnership carries rights that are not identical to marriage, particularly around pensions, adoption or religious recognition. Believing the two are equal can leave a partner exposed at exactly the wrong moment.
Dissolution and finances
Ending a civil partnership may follow a different procedure from divorce, with its own rules on the division of property and financial support. Not knowing which regime applies can make an already difficult separation more uncertain and costly.
What you get
A civil partnership lawyer who clarifies and protects your position
We only match you with family lawyers who handle civil partnership formation, rights and dissolution in the relevant country.
Clear status assessment
Your lawyer explains what a civil partnership means in your country, how it compares with marriage, and precisely which rights and obligations attach to your situation.
Correct formation and recognition
Where you are forming a partnership or seeking recognition of an existing one, your lawyer ensures the registration is completed properly and will be accepted.
Financial and inheritance planning
You’ll understand how the partnership affects property, pensions, tax and inheritance, and what agreements you should now put in place to protect both of you.
Dissolution and cross-border advice
If the partnership ends, or spans more than one country, your lawyer advises on the applicable process, the financial consequences and whether your status is recognised elsewhere.
Coverage
Civil partnership lawyers across Europe
Civil partnership law is set nationally and its availability and effect vary widely, so the right lawyer is one who works with your specific country’s rules. We match civil partnership cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Civil partnerships — common questions
What is the difference between a civil partnership and marriage?
Both are legally recognised unions, but in many countries a civil partnership was introduced as a distinct status and may carry rights that are not identical to marriage — for example around pensions, adoption or religious recognition. The exact differences depend on the country’s law.
Who can enter a civil partnership?
This varies by country. In some jurisdictions civil partnership is available only to same-sex couples, while in others it is open to all couples regardless of gender. Minimum age and other conditions also differ, so the eligibility rules must be checked for the relevant country.
Can a civil partnership be converted into a marriage?
In some countries, existing civil partnerships can be converted into marriage, sometimes by a relatively straightforward procedure, while in others this is not possible or operates differently. Whether conversion is available depends entirely on the applicable national law.
What rights does a civil partnership give me?
The rights vary by country but commonly touch on property, inheritance, pensions, tax and the process for ending the relationship. They may differ from those of marriage, so it is important to confirm the specifics rather than assume equality.
How is a civil partnership dissolved?
Dissolution typically follows a formal legal process that may or may not be the same as divorce, with its own rules on the division of assets and financial support. The applicable procedure depends on the country and your circumstances.
Is my civil partnership recognised in other countries?
Not necessarily. A civil partnership recognised in one country may not be recognised in another, which can affect residency, inheritance and other rights. If you move across borders or hold assets abroad, recognition is worth clarifying in advance.
Free case review
Know your rights, protect your partnership
Tell us your situation and we’ll connect you with a family lawyer who handles civil partnership matters in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.