Marriage equality legalised in Estonia

On Tuesday 20 June, the Estonian Parliament reached a historic decision to legalise same-sex marriage by adopting amendments to the Family Law Act. The new law, tabled by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of ALDE Party member Reformierakond, was adopted with a majority of 55 votes in favour.

As of 1 January 2024, any two consenting adults in Estonia will be able to marry, irrespective of sex. The law proposes cohabitation agreements as an alternative to marriage, establishing a simplified procedure for the transition from a cohabitation agreement to marriage and including necessary legal provisions for the implementation of the Cohabitation Act.