Estonia embraces love and equality. Same-sex marriage and child adoption are now legal

The Estonian Minister of Social Affairs, Signe Riisalo, underscored that these new regulations end a long period of legal uncertainties, ensuring security and equality for all citizens.

"I am filled with pride for my country. We are building a society where the rights of each individual are respected, and people are free to love whomever they choose," wrote Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on the X platform, in comment to the parliament's progressive June ruling.

Same-sex couples in Estonia have been able to register partnerships since 2016. Thanks to the new legislative change, they can also officially marry.

The law endows married couples and partnerships with specific rights and responsibilities in Estonia. These primarily pertain to benefits, property, housing, and inheritance issues. With the advent of marriage equality, same-sex couples have now gained additional rights, notably the right to adopt children jointly.

After Slovenia, Estonia is the second country in Central and Eastern Europe to legalize same-sex marriage. It was also the first country in the former Soviet Union to reach this landmark decision.

Same-sex marriage is recognized in several European countries, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.