The issue of civil partnerships has once again taken center stage in Poland’s public and political debate. The Sejm is currently reviewing a draft parliamentary bill on civil partnerships. While public support remains high for the legal recognition of non-marital relationships—both same-sex and opposite-sex—the matter is still pending a legal resolution.
Poland is one of only five EU countries—alongside Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Romania—that does not currently allow same-sex couples to enter into either marriage or any form of registered civil partnership.
“I’m outraged that Polish conservatives don’t follow the example of conservatives from other countries. On most issues, they tend to mirror them, yet when it comes to civil partnerships—a relatively minor but important issue for a large group of people in Poland—they hold a completely different stance. It’s 2025, and the fact that this hasn’t been resolved is, in my view, a disgrace,” said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, an MEP from the New Left, in an interview with Newseria.
Two rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), from December 2023 and September 2024, confirm that Poland is obligated to institutionalize partnerships for same-sex couples. The ECHR found Poland in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life.
Public Opinion: Majority Support for Legal Recognition
According to the IPSOS “LGBT+ Pride Report 2025”, 31% of Poles support same-sex marriage, while another 31% support some form of legal recognition that is not marriage. Only 24% oppose any such arrangements, and 14% remain undecided.
A 2024 survey by CBOS revealed that 52% of Poles believe that same-sex couples living together should have the option to formalize their relationships through civil partnerships. 28% were strongly opposed, while 15% leaned against the idea. In contrast, support for civil partnerships among heterosexual couples was overwhelming: 90% were in favor, and only 6% opposed.
The 2021 national census confirmed a shift in relationship patterns in Poland. While the number of marriages continues to decline, the number of informal partnerships is growing—rising from 316,500 in 2011 to 552,800 in 2021. Most of these relationships are urban-based (around 395,700 or 71.6%), but the fastest growth has been in rural areas, where the number of such unions increased by 150%.
“There are a lot of civil partnerships, and many people in them are waiting for this law. A few MPs from the PSL party are still blocking it—that’s the parliamentary reality we’re dealing with. But we mustn’t give up; we need to keep pushing and reminding people,” added Scheuring-Wielgus.
Legislative Efforts and Political Strategy
In mid-June, Katarzyna Kotula—former Minister for Equality before the cabinet reshuffle—submitted a parliamentary bill on civil partnerships. This route was considered more viable than a government-sponsored bill due to internal coalition disagreements. The bill aims to provide legal security and social protections for couples in civil partnerships. Proposed provisions include the right to inheritance, access to medical information about one’s partner, joint tax filings, and entitlement to benefits similar to those granted in marriage.
The New Left has indicated openness to a compromise—possibly by introducing a “close persons” legal status or a “partnership contract.” President-elect Karol Nawrocki has also expressed willingness to cooperate with the government on defining the legal status of close relationships.
“Ironically, we might end up with a law that simply changes the name—from ‘civil partnership’ to ‘close persons’—and the president, whom many criticize, could be the one to sign it. That would be an embarrassment for the entire political establishment, which failed to pass such legislation earlier,” Scheuring-Wielgus noted.
Constitutional Hurdles and Conservative Opposition
According to MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk from the Law and Justice party (PiS), Article 18 of the Polish Constitution—which defines marriage as a union between a woman and a man—could be a significant legal barrier.
“There is no ‘third way’ or paragraph that allows for civil partnerships. Any solution of this kind could be seen as unconstitutional and would likely be challenged before the Constitutional Tribunal. So, there’s a long road ahead, and we’ll have to wait for concrete legislative proposals,” Mularczyk stated.
Outlook
The path toward legal recognition of civil partnerships in Poland remains complex. Public support for such legislation is growing, societal norms are shifting, and international pressure is mounting. However, legal obstacles, political gridlock, and ideological divides continue to stall progress. As the debate unfolds, many citizens in informal or same-sex relationships remain in legal limbo, awaiting recognition and protection under the law.
