Poland reluctantly recognizes same-sex marriages — with strings attached

A court ruling forces Poland to accept foreign same-sex marriages, but the country still lags on legalisation.

Told by Claire Lawson · 1 September 2026

Starting August 30, 2026, Polish civil registry offices will officially recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other countries, marking a significant, albeit limited, step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Poland. This development follows a pivotal court ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that mandated Poland to acknowledge the marriage of a same-sex couple wed in Germany.

Despite this progress, Poland remains lagging in legalizing same-sex marriages within its own borders. The Polish Supreme Administrative Court had previously ruled that the couple's German marriage certificate should be entered into the Polish civil registry, leading to this historic recognition. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski celebrated the ruling, stating it ends years of administrative fiction and uncertainty for Polish families, urging that equality must become a core principle of state action.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also addressed the long history of rejection and humiliation faced by same-sex couples in Poland, acknowledging that the state has failed to uphold their dignity. He expressed a commitment to adhere to the court's ruling while emphasizing that Poland still lacks comprehensive laws to ensure equal treatment for same-sex couples, particularly regarding rights like adoption.

In a rather contradictory move, Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed recent bills aimed at providing basic legal recognition for same-sex couples, showing that while some progress has been made, significant hurdles remain. LGBTQ+ advocates criticized these vetoes, asserting that even minimal rights are too much for the current administration.

As it stands, 18 EU countries have legalized same-sex marriage, yet Poland's actions reflect a reluctant compliance with broader EU mandates rather than an earnest commitment to equality. This half-measure raises questions about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in a country that still grapples with deeply entrenched conservatism and resistance to change.