On Tuesday, the 20th of June, Estonian parliament supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The passed law states that from the 1st January 2024 onward marriage will be available to all adults regardless of their gender.
55 members of Riigikogu voted in favour of the law, 34 voted against, and one member abstained in the vote.
This makes Estonia the first Baltic State to have legalised same-sex marriage.
The law also covers the option for cohabitation contract. Registered partners will be allowed to marry under simplified registration procedure.
Same-sex couples will also be allowed to adopt children.
Same-sex couples will be allowed to adopt their partner’s child with consent from his or her biological parent.
The law does include a principle under which a child cannot have more than two parents. The principle under which biological parents have authority over children remains as well.
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