Recognition of same-sex unions in Lithuania

Notes

^ ^a ^b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
^ Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
^ ^a ^b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations of the US. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights in Israel. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
^ Guardianship agreements confer some limited legal benefits in China, including decisions about medical and personal care.
^ Hong Kong provides inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
^ Indian courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
^ Most Japanese cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse provide residency rights in Namibia.
^ Romania provides hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.

Lithuania has allowed same-sex couples to register civil partnerships through the courts since 17 April 2025, when the Constitutional Court of Lithuania ordered the Seimas to legislate to allow civil unions granting same-sex couples some legal rights and benefits. The court also opened the possibility for same-sex couples to register civil partnerships through the courts, even in the absence of specific legislation.^[1]

Lithuania does not recognise same-sex marriages, which are explicitly prohibited in the Lithuanian Constitution.

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