European Union countries must recognise same-sex marriages contracted between EU citizens in another EU member state, the European Court of Justice has ruled, as quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
The court said Poland was not entitled to refuse to recognise a marriage between two Polish citizens contracted in Germany, even though the Polish state does not allow same-sex marriages.
"The refusal to recognise a marriage between two EU citizens is contrary to European law because it violates freedom and the right to respect for private and family life," the court said.
The court explained that the Polish couple's rights under European law were violated after their marriage was not recognised in Poland, and they exercised their right as EU citizens to move to another member state and start a family there, DPA reported.
However, the court stressed that the decision "does not require the introduction of same-sex marriage into national law", but obliges all member states to have a procedure for recognizing same-sex marriages.