Same Sex Families in Europe
"Legal jungle: same-sex families trapped between EU countries" (from ILGA - Europe) highlights the key problems and discrimination same sex families and their children experience due to the lack of mutual recognition of civil status of their families.
A number of countries in Europe have introduced legislative measures to address some of the issues highlighted above by allowing both members of a same-sex couple to become legal parents of the same child.
European laws on adoption by same-sex couples
| Country | LGBT individual may petition to adopt | Same-sex couple may jointly petition to adopt | Same-sex partner may petition to adopt partner's child | Same-sex couples allowed to foster or stepchild foster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Estonia | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Finland | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| France | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Iceland | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Italy | No | No | No | No (but singles can foster) |
| Latvia | Yes | No | No | No |
| Lithuania | No (only in exceptional circumstances) | No | No | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Norway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Poland | Yes | No | No | No |
| Portugal | Yes | No | No | No (but singles can foster) |
| Spain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sweden | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Marriage Equality is a proud member of NELFA