Recognition of same-sex unions in Monaco

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Monaco recognizes same-sex cohabitation agreements since 27 June 2020. The move came after a 2019 bill (unanimously approved 22–0 on 4 December 2019) creating cohabitation agreements that give limited legal rights and benefits in inheritance and property for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The bill was signed by Prince Albert II on 17 December 2019 and took effect on 27 June 2020.

What the agreement does
- It lets cohabiting couples share some rights, but not all of those of marriage.
- The rights apply to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, and the rules can also cover siblings and parents/children.
- The agreement must be signed before a notary and deposited in a public registry.

Key limits
- A foreign partner cannot get Monaco citizenship through the relationship, and the two partners cannot share the same surname.

Not full marriage
- Monaco does not recognize same-sex marriage. The Civil Code requires “the man” and “the woman” to be at least 18 to marry, and the Constitution does not restrict marriage to opposite sexes, but same-sex marriage is not recognized.

Court cases and recent developments
- In March 2022, a lower court ordered the government to register a same-sex marriage performed in the United States. The appellate court upheld this in 2023, but the decision was overturned by the Court of Revision on 18 March 2024.
- In 2024, Mon’Arc en Ciel was formed to push for same-sex marriage. A government report in June 2024 suggested improving the rights of same-sex couples in line with European case law, but stopped short of legalizing same-sex marriage. Some politicians also expressed openness to recognizing foreign same-sex marriages.

Religion and opinion
- The United Protestant Church of France in Monaco allows blessings of same-sex marriages (adopted in May 2015). The Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage.
- A 2007 survey by a local party suggested 51% of native respondents supported registered partnerships, though it’s not representative of all residents.

In short, Monaco provides a legal path for same-sex couples to have formal recognition and some rights through cohabitation agreements, but same-sex marriage is not yet legal in the principality.