Same-sex couple sue over Slovakia’s refusal to register marriage
Summary
A same-sex couple in Slovakia is suing the government for refusing to officially recognize their marriage, which was legally performed in Austria. This legal fight tests whether a European Union (EU) court ruling that requires member countries to recognize marriages from other EU countries applies in Slovakia, even though Slovakia does not allow same-sex marriage at home.Key Facts
- Ivan Novotný and Metod Špaček married in Austria in 2020 but Slovakia does not recognize their marriage.
- Slovakia does not allow same-sex marriage or civil partnerships.
- The couple wants Slovakia to recognize their legally performed foreign marriage, following an EU court ruling.
- The EU court ruled in 2025 that EU member countries must recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other EU countries if the couple lived or moved there.
- Slovak authorities rejected their request because Slovakia’s constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
- Another Slovak couple, Marián Žáry Kukelka and his partner Ondrej, are also suing for recognition of their Austrian marriage.
- The issue highlights the conflict between EU laws and national laws in member states regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
- The case raises questions about legal protections and equality for LGBTQ+ people in Slovakia under its current government.
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