2026-01-282025/26:CU12 · p.34CUCivil law & housing
EU Rules on Family Law
EU-wide recognition of same-sex marriages and registered partnerships
What's at stake: For same-sex couples who marry or register a partnership in Sweden, differences in recognition between EU countries can create uncertainty about rights and free movement when they move or travel within the Union. A common EU-wide recognition would strengthen their legal security across the Union.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should actively push for same-sex marriages and registered partnerships valid in Sweden to be recognised across all EU member states, or whether this should not be pursued as a separate parliamentary initiative right now.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the call for a formal statement to the government. The committee stresses more generally that family-law legislation should be robust and modern, but is not prepared to initiate new inquiries or mandates beyond the work already under way in the area.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 40 (V)
The reservation (V) calls for the government to actively work for same-sex marriages and registered partnerships to be recognised throughout the EU. The reasoning is that everyone should be able to make full use of the EU's freedom of movement, and that family constellations permitted under Swedish law should be recognised in all member states to protect LGBTQI people's rights against discrimination.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 40 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna, MPMiljöpartiet
Ja 276–21Ja 246–51
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/3 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | Yes 92/0/0/14 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 16/0/0/2 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Yes 18/0/0/6 | differs | confidence: high | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 58/0/0/13 | match | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects motion 2025/26:320 by Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez et al. (V) item 15.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2025/26:320 av Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez m.fl. (V) yrkande 15.
Riksdag decision: Parliament rejected approximately 140 proposals on family law in motions from the general motion period 2025. The proposals concern, among other things, cooling-off periods in marriage dissolution, property division, legal assistance for children, matters of custody, residence and contact in cases of domestic violence, the system of guardians, administrators and guardians, and certain matters regarding name changes. Parliament refers, among other things, to ongoing work and the committee's previous positions.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to modernize family law by making it gender-neutral and independent of family structure. (V) — Reservation 40
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The party programme sees it as decisive to strengthen LGBTQIA+ people's rights and wants to give rainbow families good legal protection, which is precisely what mutual recognition of same-sex marriage within the EU is about.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme sees it as decisive to strengthen LGBTQIA+ people's rights and wants to give rainbow families good legal protection, which is precisely what mutual recognition of same-sex marriage within the EU is about. The plan also wants legislation to be based on how people actually live, with modern family law. That Sweden actively drives the issue follows from the commitment to defend each other's opportunities when conservative forces attack rights.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet ser det som avgörande att stärka hbtqia+-personers rättigheter och vill ge regnbågsfamiljer ett gott rättsligt skydd, vilket är precis vad ett ömsesidigt erkännande av samkönade äktenskap inom EU handlar om. Planen vill också att lagstiftningen utgår från hur människor faktiskt lever, med en modern familjerätt. Att Sverige aktivt driver frågan följer av åtagandet att försvara varandras möjligheter när konservativa krafter angriper rättigheter.
- legal protection for rainbow familiesdecisive»bland annat om att ge regnbågsfamiljer ett gott rättsligt skydd.« (party programme ↗)“amongst other things to give rainbow families good legal protection.”
- strengthened LGBTQIA+ rights»Vi ser det som avgörande att stärka hbtqia+-personers rättigheter i en« (party programme ↗)“We see it as decisive to strengthen LGBTQIA+ people's rights in a”
- modern family law»Vi vill fortsätta att gå mot en lagstiftning som utgår« (party programme ↗)“We want to continue moving towards legislation that is based on”
The plan establishes that sexual orientation and gender identity shall not determine people's freedom and requires strong protection against discrimination.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that sexual orientation and gender identity shall not determine people's freedom and requires strong protection against discrimination. It simultaneously sees the EU as a necessary platform to strengthen rights protection and wants Sweden to be a leading actor in the union. Working for Swedish same-sex marriages to be recognized in all EU countries follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att sexuell läggning och könsidentitet inte ska få avgöra människors frihet och kräver starkt skydd mot diskriminering. Den ser samtidigt EU som en nödvändig plattform för att skärpa rättighetsskyddet och vill att Sverige är en ledande aktör i unionen. Att verka för att svenska samkönade äktenskap erkänns i alla EU-länder följer av dessa åtaganden.
- equal rights regardless of orientationdecisive»Klass och kön ska inte få avgöra människors frihet, och inte heller faktorer som etnicitet« (party programme ↗)“Class and gender shall not determine people's freedom, nor factors such as ethnicity”
- protection against discrimination»Bekämpande av rasism och diskriminering.« (party programme ↗)“Combating racism and discrimination.”
- driving Swedish EU role»Sveriges ställning som en ledande aktör i EU stärks.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's position as a leading actor in the EU is strengthened.”
- cohesive EU»Ett demokratiskt EU med stark sammanhållning.« (party programme ↗)“A democratic EU with strong cohesion.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that the EU shall guarantee the right to be and love whom you wish and that all families shall have equal rights regardless of how they look.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that the EU shall guarantee the right to be and love whom you wish and that all families shall have equal rights regardless of how they look. That Swedish same-sex marriages are recognised in all EU countries is precisely this commitment put into practice in freedom of movement. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att EU ska garantera rätten att vara och älska vem du vill och att alla familjer ska ha lika rättigheter oavsett hur de ser ut. Att svenska samkönade äktenskap erkänns i alla EU-länder är just detta åtagande omsatt i fri rörlighet. Planen stöder därför motförslagets krav.
- EU shall guarantee LGBTQI+ rightsdecisive»EU ska garantera rätten att vara och älska vem du vill.« (party programme ↗)“the EU shall guarantee the right to be and love whom you wish.”
- equal rights for all families»Alla familjer ska ha lika rättigheter, oavsett hur de ser ut.« (party programme ↗)“All families shall have equal rights, regardless of how they look.”
- gender-neutral family policy»anpassa familjepolitiken så att den blir könsneutral och stärka rättigheterna för stjärnfamiljer, det vill säga alla olika typer av familjer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“adapt family policy so that it becomes gender-neutral and strengthen the rights for star families, that is all different types of families.”
- active work for LGBTQI+ rights»Miljöpartiet kommer aktivt att delta i kampen för att stärka rättigheterna för hbtqi-personer.« (party programme ↗)“the Greens will actively participate in the struggle to strengthen LGBTQI+ people's rights.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The party programme commits the party to combating all structures that discriminate against people, explicitly also on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to continue removing obstacles to individuals' mobility.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme commits the party to combating all structures that discriminate against people, explicitly also on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to continue removing obstacles to individuals' mobility. That a same-sex marriage valid in Sweden is not recognized in another EU country is precisely such an obstacle and such discrimination. The election manifesto also wants to strengthen the ban on discrimination and minority protection.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet förbinder partiet att bekämpa alla strukturer som diskriminerar människor, uttryckligen också på grund av sexuell läggning och könsidentitet, och att fortsätta avlägsna hinder för enskildas rörlighet. Att ett i Sverige giltigt samkönat äktenskap inte erkänns i ett annat EU-land är just ett sådant hinder och en sådan diskriminering. Valmanifestet vill dessutom stärka diskrimineringsförbudet och minoritetsskyddet.
- combat discriminationdecisive»Vi bekämpar alla strukturer, formella och informella, som förtrycker eller diskriminerar människor.« (party programme ↗)“We combat all structures, formal and informal, that oppress or discriminate against people.”
- free movement without obstacles»Centerpartiet vill fortsätta att avlägsna de hinder som finns för enskilda människors rörlighet i världen.« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party wants to continue removing obstacles that exist to the mobility of individual people in the world.”
- strengthened ban on discrimination»Vi vill stärka bland annat äganderätten, diskrimineringsförbudet, minoritetsskyddet och minoritetsspråkens ställning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to strengthen, among other things, the right to property, the ban on discrimination, minority protection and the status of minority languages”
- equal worth for all»När andra ställer människa mot människa, grupp mot grupp, försvarar vi öppenheten, demokratin och principen om allas lika värde.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“When others place person against person, group against group, we defend openness, democracy and the principle of equal worth for all.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan explicitly requires that legal acts within EU cooperation shall recognize the same-sex family fully and that Sweden shall work in the EU for LGBTQ persons' rights as part of human rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires that legal acts within EU cooperation shall recognize the same-sex family fully and that Sweden shall work in the EU for LGBTQ persons' rights as part of human rights. The counter-proposal's requirement that Swedish same-sex marriage and partnerships are recognized in all EU countries is precisely this commitment. The plan also values equal right to respect for private and family life.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen att rättsakter inom EU-samarbetet ska erkänna den samkönade familjen fullt ut och att Sverige ska verka i EU för hbtq-personers rättigheter som en del av de mänskliga rättigheterna. Motförslagets krav på att svenska samkönade äktenskap och partnerskap erkänns i alla EU-länder är precis detta åtagande. Planen värnar dessutom lika rätt till respekt för privat- och familjeliv.
- recognition of same-sex familydecisive»Rättsakter inom ramen för EU-samarbetet ska erkänna den samkönade familjen fullt ut.« (party programme ↗)“Legal acts within the framework of EU cooperation shall recognize the same-sex family fully.”
- LGBTQ rights in the EU»Sverige ska verka i EU och internationellt för hbtq-personers rättigheter som en del av de mänskliga rättigheterna.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall work in the EU and internationally for LGBTQ persons' rights as part of human rights.”
- equal right to family life»Alla ska ha samma rätt till respekt för sitt privat- och familjeliv.« (party programme ↗)“All shall have the same right to respect for their private and family life.”
- LGBTQI reforms as freedom»Sverige ska vara världens bästa land att leva i som hbtqi-person.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall be the world's best country to live in as an LGBTQI person.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan requires a civil marriage code that applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples and that the constitution ensures that no one is discriminated against on grounds including sexual identity.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a civil marriage code that applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples and that the constitution ensures that no one is discriminated against on grounds including sexual identity. It also wants to defend freedom of movement within the EU. That Swedish same-sex marriages are recognized in all EU countries follows from these commitments, even though the plan simultaneously wants to limit the EU's tasks.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en civilrättslig giftermålsbalk som gäller för både olikkönade och samkönade par och att grundlagen säkerställer att ingen diskrimineras på grund av bland annat sexuell identitet. Den vill också försvara den fria rörligheten inom EU. Att svenska samkönade äktenskap erkänns i alla EU-länder följer av dessa åtaganden, även om planen samtidigt vill avgränsa EU:s uppgifter.
- equal marriage code for same-sex couplesdecisive»genom en civilrättslig giftermålsbalk som gäller för både olikkönade och samkönade par och« (party programme ↗)“through a civil marriage code that applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples and”
- prohibition of discrimination»Grundlagen ska även säkerställa att ingen diskrimineras på grund av kön, ålder,« (party programme ↗)“The constitution shall also ensure that no one is discriminated against on grounds of gender, age,”
- freedom of movement within the EU»att försvara öppenheten och den fria rörligheten inom EU« (party programme ↗)“to defend openness and freedom of movement within the EU”
- limited EU competence»En avgränsning av EU:s uppgifter är nödvändig« (party programme ↗)“A limitation of the EU's tasks is necessary”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan promises that all family legislation shall be gender-neutral and that everyone shall be able to form a family and meet safely in public services regardless of sexual orientation.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan promises that all family legislation shall be gender-neutral and that everyone shall be able to form a family and meet safely in public services regardless of sexual orientation. That Swedish same-sex marriages are recognised throughout the EU is a direct extension of that commitment when people move across borders. The plan also notes that family policy is not up to date.
Original (Swedish)
Planen lovar att all familjelagstiftning ska vara könsneutral och att var och en ska kunna bilda familj och mötas tryggt av det offentliga oavsett sexuell läggning. Att svenska samkönade äktenskap erkänns i hela EU är en direkt förlängning av det åtagandet när människor rör sig över gränserna. Planen konstaterar också att familjepolitiken inte är tidsenlig.
- gender-neutral family lawdecisive»Se till att all familjelagstiftning är könsneutral« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure that all family legislation is gender-neutral”
- LGBTQ persons' rights»I Sverige ska du kunna leva ett fritt liv, och öppet kunna visa din kärlek, bilda familj och få ett tryggt bemötande av det offentliga, oavsett vilken sexuell läggning du har.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In Sweden you shall be able to live a free life, and openly show your love, form a family and receive safe treatment from public services, regardless of your sexual orientation.”
- modern family policy»Samtidigt är familjepolitiken inte tidsenlig och utformad utifrån hur människor idag väljer att bilda familj och leva sina liv.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time, family policy is not up to date and is designed based on how people today choose to form families and live their lives.”
- tolerance for different life choices»Att kunna älska vem man vill« (party programme ↗)“To be able to love whoever you want”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that national self-determination be strengthened and intergovernmentalism be restored, and views with skepticism more issues being decided at EU level.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that national self-determination be strengthened and intergovernmentalism be restored, and views with skepticism more issues being decided at EU level. The counter-proposal's requirement that the state actively work for Swedish same-sex marriages to be recognized in all EU countries presupposes exactly such a common order in family law. The plan simultaneously establishes equal rights regardless of sexual orientation, which pulls in the opposite direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att det nationella självbestämmandet stärks och att mellanstatligheten återupprättas, och ser med skepsis på att fler frågor avgörs på EU-nivå. Motförslagets krav på att staten aktivt verkar för att svenska samkönade äktenskap erkänns i alla EU-länder förutsätter just en sådan gemensam ordning på familjerättens område. Planen slår samtidigt fast lika rättigheter oavsett sexuell läggning, vilket drar åt motsatt håll.
- national self-determinationdecisive»Stärka det nationella självbestämmandet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen national self-determination”
- intergovernmentalism over union»Återupprätta mellanstatligheten och stärka väljarnas påverkansmöjligheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Restore intergovernmentalism and strengthen voters' influence possibilities”
- Swedish democratic governance»Bejaka och stärka det svenska folkstyrets oberoende« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Affirm and strengthen Swedish democracy's independence”
- equal rights regardless of orientation»Att alla ska ha samma möjligheter och rättigheter oavsett sexualitet, läggning eller identitet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That all shall have equal opportunities and rights regardless of sexuality, orientation or identity”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:CU12)
- Committee report full text (HD01CU12)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1068 — Stärkt skydd för kvinnor och barn som lämnar våldsamma män av Carina Ödebrink m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1072 — Barns rätt till sina föräldrar av Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)
- Motion 2025/26:11 — Reform av namnlagen av Robert Stenkvist (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1103 — Arvode till vigselförrättare av Ulrika Heie (C)
- Motion 2025/26:115 — Undantag från samtyckeskravet i namnlagen av Angelica Lundberg (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:118 — Effektivare bodelningsprocess av Angelica Lundberg (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1315 — Ersättningsnivån för borgerliga vigselförrättare av Per-Arne Håkansson (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1328 — Vårdnadstvister och konsekvenser av Runar Filper (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1523 — Digitala testamenten - säkerställ skydd för äldre och utsatta mot otillbörlig påverkan av Emma Ahlström Köster (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1650 — Byte av efternamn på barn vid ensam vårdnad och skyddad identitet av Ludvig Ceimertz (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1788 — Betänketiden för äktenskapsskillnad av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1816 — Barnets bästa i vårdnadsmål där en förälder dömts för sexualbrott av Aylin Nouri (S)
- Motion 2025/26:183 — Införande av en lag om digitalt arv av Victoria Tiblom (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1993 — Blodprov för föräldratest av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2068 — Likvärdig myndighetsutövning vid borgerlig vigsel av Kerstin Lundgren (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2148 — Skyndsam hantering vid skilsmässa av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2264 — Förenklat regelverk för ensam förälder efter insemination av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2318 — Förenklad adoption av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2320 — Begränsning för kriminella att byta namn av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:245 — Förenkling av ekonomiska och juridiska processer för efterlevande av Johnny Svedin (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament