View source for Recognition of same-sex unions in Lithuania

{{Short description|none}}
{{Same-sex unions|unions}}
[[Lithuania]] has allowed same-sex couples to register [[Civil union|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.<ref name=lrt2025 />

Lithuania does not recognise [[same-sex marriage]]s, which are explicitly prohibited in the [[Lithuanian Constitution]].

==Civil partnerships==
===Background===
In 2011, the [[Constitutional Court of Lithuania]] ruled that the [[family]] does not derive exclusively from [[marriage]], opening the possibility for partnerships or other forms of legal recognition to be introduced to same-sex couples.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/news-in-english/19/999760/lithuanian-presidential-candidates-on-legalising-civil-partnership|title=Lithuanian presidential candidcates on legalising civil partnership|work=lrt.lt|date=23 April 2019}}</ref> On 25 March 2015, nine [[Member of parliament|MP]]s from the [[Social Democratic Party of Lithuania|Social Democratic Party]] and the [[Liberals' Movement (Lithuania)|Liberals' Movement]] introduced a [[Civil union|civil partnership]] bill to the [[Seimas]].<ref>[http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/politics/9-mps-register-bill-on-same-sex-partnership.d?id=67530578 9 MPs register bill on same-sex partnership]</ref><ref>[http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter2/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=1018362 Civilinio kodekso 3.1, 3.3, 3.16, 3.140, 3.150, 3.194, 3.229, 3.230, 3.231, 3.234, 3.235 straipsnių ir III knygos III dalies ir VI skyriaus pavadinimų pakeitimo, Kodekso papildymo 3.230(1) ir 3.230(2) straipsniais, bei 3.232 ir 3.233 straipsnių pripažinimo netekusiais galios]</ref> Prime Minister [[Algirdas Butkevičius]] expressed opposition to the bill.<ref>[http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/politics/pm-against-legalisation-of-same-sex-partnerships.d?id=67536878 PM against legalisation of same-sex partnerships]</ref> On 6 May 2015, the Committee on Legal Affairs announced that they could find no constitutional barriers to same-sex civil partnerships.<ref>[http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lithuanian-parliament-committee-%E2%80%98constitution-no-barrier-gay-civil-partnerships%E2%80%99110515 Lithuanian parliament committee: 'constitution no barrier to gay civil partnerships']</ref> However, the bill was not voted on and died at the end of the [[legislative session]] in November 2016. A similar bill was introduced by deputies from the Liberal Movement on 30 May 2017,<ref>[https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAP/30c639a0451011e7b465dc41e35792b9?positionInSearchResults=3&searchModelUUID=26f829cf-cecd-4807-9e2e-7dd2a4f7c415 Civilinio kodekso 2.18, 2.19, 3.3, 3.16, 3.140, 3.141, 3.143, 3.146, 3.147, 3.150, 3.155 straipsnių, Kodekso Trečiosios knygos VI dalies XV skyriaus ir 5.13, 6.588, 6.590, 6.744 straipsnių pakeitimo įstatymo projektas]</ref> but it was rejected at [[Reading (legislature)|first reading]] in a 29–59 vote with 20 abstentions on 15 June 2017.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} [http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seime-zlugo-bandymas-iteisinti-vyro-ir-moters-bei-homoseksualu-partneryste.d?id=74950844 Seime žlugo bandymas įteisinti vyro ir moters bei homoseksualų partnerystę]</ref><ref>[http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lithuania-tries-fails-recognize-sex-couples/ Lithuania tries, but fails to recognize same-sex couples]</ref>

In 2017, the [[Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union]] and the [[Homeland Union]] proposed a bill to establish "cohabitation agreements" ({{langx|lt|susitarimo dėl bendro gyvenimo}}) as an alternative to civil partnerships. The proposed legislation would guarantee same-sex partners hospital visitation rights and the right to [[Inheritance|inherit]] a late partner's property. Povilas Urbšys, one of the authors of the proposal, said: "Our registered project will effectively contribute to legal clarity, regulate property rights and some property unrelated relations between people living together and will also help to avoid negative consequences when the cohabitation is dissolved."<ref>[http://www.lgl.lt/en/?p=17332 Lithuanian Peasant and Green Party Propose “Cohabitation Agreements” Instead of Partnerships]</ref> The proposal, which was criticised by [[LGBT]] groups, explicitly stipulated that the cohabitants entering the agreement did not intend to create family relations. The proposal was preliminarily approved by the Seimas with 46 votes for, 17 votes against and 6 abstentions on 31 May 2017, and sent to further consideration.<ref>[http://www.lgl.lt/en/?p=17403 Seimas Approves the Proposal on “Cohabitation Agreements” as Alternative to Partnership Law]</ref><ref>{{in lang|lt}} [https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAP/2eed4fd03fbe11e7b8e5a254f4e1c3a7 Civilinio kodekso 6.589, 6.969, 6.971, 6.973, 6.978 straipsnių pakeitimo įstatymo projektas]</ref> On 25 October 2017, the [[Government of Lithuania|Lithuanian Government]] announced its support for the bill,<ref>{{in lang|lt}} [https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/en/legalAct/698dcde0bd4a11e79122ea2db7aeb5f0 DĖL LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS CIVILINIO KODEKSO 6.589, 6.969, 6.971, 6.973, 6.978 STRAIPSNIŲ PAKEITIMO ĮSTATYMO PROJEKTO NR. XIIIP-750 IR LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS PAVELDIMO TURTO MOKESČIO ĮSTATYMO NR. IX-1239 7 STRAIPSNIO PAKEITIMO ĮSTATYMO PROJEKTO NR. XIIIP-751]</ref> but it stalled and was not voted on before the end of the legislative session.

On 14 February 2018, appearing at a demonstration in [[Vilnius]], Prime Minister [[Saulius Skvernelis]] called on the Seimas to pass a same-sex partnership law.<ref>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/lithuanian-prime-minister-wants-same-sex-partnerships-law Lithuanian Prime Minister Wants Same-Sex Partnerships Law]</ref> Of the eight candidates running in the [[2019 Lithuanian presidential election|2019 presidential election]], five expressed support for registered partnerships, namely [[Vytenis Andriukaitis]], [[Arvydas Juozaitis]], [[Valentinas Mazuronis]], [[Ingrida Šimonytė]] and winner [[Gitanas Nausėda]]. The other three candidates, [[Mindaugas Puidokas]], [[Saulius Skvernelis]] and [[Naglis Puteikis]], expressed support for limited legal rights such as inheritance and [[Right to property|property rights]], among others.<ref name=":0"/>

===Failed attempts in 2021–2025===
In December 2020, MP [[Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius]] from the [[Freedom Party (Lithuania)|Freedom Party]] said that the government would submit a civil partnership bill to Parliament in March 2021. The bill's introduction was a condition for creating the [[Šimonytė Cabinet|ruling coalition]] formed following the [[2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithuania-lgbt-rights-interview-trfn/lithuania-set-to-legalise-gay-civil-partnerships-next-year-says-lgbt-lawmaker-idUSKBN28V1EB |title=Lithuania set to legalise gay civil partnerships next year, says LGBT+ lawmaker |website=Reuters |date=21 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In May 2021, an estimated 10,000 people demonstrated in Vilnius to oppose the partnership legislation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-parliament-votes-against-debating-same-sex-partnership-bill-2021-05-25/|title = Lithuania parliament votes against debating same-sex partnership bill|newspaper = Reuters|date = 25 May 2021|last1 = Sytas|first1 = Andrius}}</ref> On 25 May 2021, the civil partnership bill was defeated at first reading, receiving 63 votes in favour, two short of the 65 required. Raskevičius said the bill would be brought back to Parliament in an amended form during the autumn session.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Da Silva |first1=Chantal |author-link=Chantal Da Silva |date=26 May 2021 |title=Bill to allow same-sex partnerships in Lithuania falls at first hurdle |work=EuroNews |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/25/bill-to-allow-same-sex-partnerships-in-lithuania-falls-at-first-hurdle |access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref>

Legislation creating civil unions was drafted by a group of MPs and introduced to Parliament in May 2022. The proposal was a compromise after the more expansive civil partnership bill was defeated in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuanian MPs propose civil union as compromise on same-sex partnership|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_mps_propose_civil_union_as_compromise_on_same-sex_partnership/ |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=[[baltictimes.com]]}}</ref> On 26 May 2022, the draft bill passed its first reading in the Seimas by 70 votes in favour, 49 votes against and 6 abstentions. On the same day, an alternative draft amendment to the Civil Code aiming to "regulate the recognition of a person's right to close relations" also passed its first reading, with 70 votes in favour, 23 votes against and 30 abstentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/05/lithuania-parliament-votes-to-consider-alternative-civil-union-and-close-relationship-laws/|title=Lithuania Parliament votes to consider alternative civil union and 'close relationship' laws|work=Jurist.org|date=29 May 2022|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontnews.eu/en/news/details/31665|title=The Lithuanian Seimas supported the first reading of the draft law on civil unions with opportunities for LGBT people|work=Frontnews.eu|date=26 May 2022|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> Actress Elžbieta Latanaitė said in response, "My feelings are mixed after the vote. On the one hand, the parliament took a step towards Europe, towards Western values. But on the other hand, there's nothing joyous that even such a restrained bill cannot pass without a big fight, with powerful homophobes hurling insults at citizens who want equal rights".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/05/27/us-lithuania-partnership-lgbtq|title=Lithuanian parliament agrees to consider same-sex partnership bill|work=euronews.com|date=27 May 2022}}</ref> President Gitanas Nausėda declined to take an official position on the bills, but in a September 2023 interview said that efforts to allow same-sex unions were "a sign of a civilized state".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2070011/lithuanian-president-lukewarm-about-lgbtq-rights-let-s-not-forget-elderly-and-families|title=Lithuanian president lukewarm about LGBTQ rights: let’s not forget elderly and families|work=LRT|date=5 September 2023|first=Augustas|last=Stankevičius}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+26 May 2022 vote in the [[Seimas]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=37067&p_k=1&p_kade_id=9&p_ses_id=126&p_fakt_pos_id=-501724&p_bals_id=-46185#balsKlausimas|title=Civilinės sąjungos įstatymo projektas (Nr. XIVP-1694) (Balsavimo rezultatas)|website=lrs.lt}}</ref>
|-
! Party !! style="width:15%;"| Voted for !! style="width:15%;"| Voted against !! Abstained !! Absent (Did not vote)
|-
| {{Color box|{{party color|Homeland Union}}|'''[[Šimonytė Cabinet|<span style="color:white;">G</span>]]'''|border=darkgray}} [[Homeland Union]]
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" | {{collapsible list |title=38
|1= [[Laima Liucija Andrikienė]]
|2= [[Arvydas Anušauskas]]
|3= Dalia Asanavičiūtė
|4= Kristijonas Bartoševičius
|5= [[Agnė Bilotaitė]]
|6= Justas Džiugelis
|7= [[Aistė Gedvilienė]]
|8= Jonas Gudauskas
|9= Irena Haase
|10= [[Sergejus Jovaiša]]
|11= [[Vytautas Juozapaitis]]
|12= Vytautas Kernagis
|13= Andrius Kupčinskas
|14= [[Paulė Kuzmickienė]]
|15= [[Gabrielius Landsbergis]]
|16= [[Mindaugas Lingė]]
|17= Mykolas Majauskas
|18= [[Matas Maldeikis]]
|19= Kęstutis Masiulis
|20= Bronislovas Matelis
|21= [[Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė]]
|22= Andrius Navickas
|23= [[Monika Navickienė]]
|24= [[Žygimantas Pavilionis]]
|25= [[Audrius Petrošius]]
|26= Liuda Pociūnienė
|27= [[Jurgis Razma]]
|28= Stasys Šedbaras
|29= Jurgita Sejonienė
|30= [[Ingrida Šimonytė]]
|31= [[Jurgita Šiugždinienė]]
|32= [[Gintarė Skaistė]]
|33= Mindaugas Skritulskas
|34= Linas Slušnys
|35= Kazys Starkevičius
|36= [[Arūnas Valinskas (born 1989)|Arūnas Valinskas]]
|37= Andrius Vyšniauskas
|38= [[Emanuelis Zingeris]]
}}
| {{collapsible list |title= 7
|1= [[Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė]]
|2= [[Audronius Ažubalis]]
|3= [[Laurynas Kasčiūnas]]
|4= Edmundas Pupinis
|5= Valdas Rakutis
|6= [[Paulius Saudargas]]
|7= Justinas Urbanavičius
}}
| –
| {{collapsible list |title=5
|1= Antanas Čepononis
|2= [[Dainius Kreivys]]
|3= Antanas Matulas
|4= [[Arvydas Pocius]]
|5= Algis Strelčiūnas
}}
|-
| {{color box|{{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}|border=darkgray}} [[Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union]]
| –
| style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" | {{collapsible list |title=16
|1= Algimantas Dumbrava
|2= Dainius Gaižauskas
|3= Ligita Girskienė
|4= [[Jonas Jarutis]]
|5= Eugenijus Jovaiša
|6= Dainius Kepenis
|7= Gintautas Kindurys
|8= Asta Kubilienė
|9= Deividas Labanavičius
|10= [[Aušrinė Norkienė]]
|11= [[Rimantė Šalaševičiūtė]]
|12= [[Giedrius Surplys]]
|13= Stasys Tumėnas
|14= Juozas Varžgalys
|15= [[Aurelijus Veryga]]
|16= [[Antanas Vinkus]]
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= Robertas Šarknickas
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=3
|1= Valius Ąžuolas
|2= Guoda Burokienė
|3= [[Arvydas Nekrošius]]
}}
|-
| {{color box|#0A1172|border=darkgray}} [[Union of Democrats "For Lithuania"]]
| {{collapsible list |title=5
|1= Vytautas Bakas
|2= [[Domas Griškevičius]]
|3= [[Rūta Miliūtė]]
|4= [[Lukas Savickas]]
|5= [[Tomas Tomilinas]]
}}
| style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" | {{collapsible list |title=8
|1= [[Zigmantas Balčytis]]
|2= [[Rima Baškienė]]
|3= [[Algirdas Butkevičius]]
|4= [[Kęstutis Mažeika]]
|5= Laima Mogenienė
|6= Algirdas Stončaitis
|7= [[Zenonas Streikus]]
|8= Vilija Targamadzė
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=2
|1= [[Linas Kukuraitis]]
|2= Laima Nagienė
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= [[Saulius Skvernelis]]
}}
|-
| {{color box|#F29402|'''[[Šimonytė Cabinet|<span style="color:white;">G</span>]]'''|border=darkgray}} [[Liberals' Movement (Lithuania)|Liberals' Movement]]
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" | {{collapsible list |title=9
|1= [[Virgilijus Alekna]]
|2= Andrius Bagdonas
|3= [[Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen]]
|4= [[Eugenijus Gentvilas]]
|5= [[Simonas Gentvilas]]
|6= Raimundas Lopata
|7= [[Arminas Lydeka]]
|8= Edita Rudelienė
|9= Romualdas Vaitkus
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= Juozas Baublys
}}
| –
| {{collapsible list |title=3
|1= Ričardas Juška
|2= [[Viktoras Pranckietis]]
|3= Jonas Varkalys
}}
|-
| {{color box|#E80000|border=darkgray}} [[Social Democratic Party of Lithuania|Social Democratic Party]]
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" | {{collapsible list |title=7
|1= [[Rasa Budbergytė]]
|2= [[Linas Jonauskas]]
|3= [[Orinta Leiputė]]
|4= [[Gintautas Paluckas]]
|5= [[Julius Sabatauskas]]
|6= [[Dovilė Šakalienė]]
|7= [[Algirdas Sysas]]
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=2
|1= Liudas Jonaitis
|2= [[Kęstutis Vilkauskas]]
}}
|{{collapsible list |title=1
|1= Tomas Bičiūnas
}}
|{{collapsible list |title=2
|1= Vidmantas Kanopa
|2= [[Eugenijus Sabutis]]
}}
|-
| {{color box|#E3006B|'''[[Šimonytė Cabinet|<span style="color:white;">G</span>]]'''|border=darkgray}} [[Freedom Party (Lithuania)|Freedom Party]]
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" | {{collapsible list |title=11
|1= [[Kasparas Adomaitis]]
|2= [[Aušrinė Armonaitė]]
|3= Morgana Danielė
|4= [[Ewelina Dobrowolska]]
|5= Silva Lengvinienė
|6= [[Marius Matijošaitis]]
|7= [[Vytautas Mitalas]]
|8= Monika Ošmianskienė
|9= Ieva Pakarklytė
|10= [[Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius]]
|11= Artūras Žukauskas
}}
| –
| –
| –
|-
| {{color box|#3370A8|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (Lithuania)|Labour Party]]
| –
| style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" | {{collapsible list |title=7
|1= Valentinas Bukauskas
|2= Viktoras Fiodorovas
|3= [[Aidas Gedvilas]]
|4= Vaida Giraitytė-Juškevičienė
|5= Vigilijus Jukna
|6= [[Andrius Mazuronis]]
|7= [[Artūras Skardžius]]
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= Ieva Kačinskaitė-Urbonienė
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= Vytautas Gapšys
}}
|-
| {{Color box|transparent|border=silver}} Lithuanian Regions Political Group{{efn|The alliance was composed of the [[Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance]], the [[Lithuanian Regions Party]], [[Freedom and Justice]], the [[People and Justice Union]], and 3 independents.}}
| –
| style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" | {{collapsible list |title=8
|1= [[Petras Gražulis]]
|2= [[Česlav Olševski]]
|3= [[Andrius Palionis]]
|4= Beata Petkevič
|5= [[Jonas Pinskus]]
|6= [[Agnė Širinskienė]]
|7= [[Rita Tamašunienė]]
|8= Valdemaras Valkiūnas
}}
| {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= [[Remigijus Žemaitaitis]]
}}
| –
|-
|{{color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| –
| –
| –
| style="background-color:#FFE;" | {{collapsible list |title=1
|1= [[Mindaugas Puidokas]]
}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | '''Total''' || {{Yes|'''70'''|align=center}} || style="text-align:center;" | '''49''' ||  style="text-align:center;" | '''6''' ||  style="text-align:center;" | '''16'''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|70|141|1}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|49|141|1}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|6|141|1}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|16|141|1}}
|}

In September 2022, the Committee on Legal Affairs approved the civil union bill 6–1 and recommended that the Seimas pass it and reject the alternative "close connection agreement" bill.<ref name=":3"/> In April 2023, the Vilnius District Court rejected a same-sex couple's request to enter into a civil partnership, ruling that Lithuania lacked a partnership law and that the matter was for Parliament to address.<ref name="Vilniuscourt"/> The civil union bill passed its second reading on 23 May 2023 by a vote of 60–52 with 3 abstentions.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Same-sex civil union bill returns to Lithuanian parliament agenda, passes second vote |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1995762/same-sex-civil-union-bill-returns-to-lithuanian-parliament-agenda-passes-second-vote |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=lrt.lt |language=en}}</ref> The legislation would establish civil unions offering some of the rights and benefits of marriage, including joint property ownership and the ability to make medical decisions for a partner, while not allowing for [[Same-sex adoption|joint adoption]]. Some lawmakers expressed doubts that the bill would receive a third reading before the [[2024 Lithuanian presidential election|May 2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.delfi.lt/ringas/article.php?id=95161697|title=Liudvika Pociūnienė. Ar mano balsavimas iš tiesų remiasi krikščioniškomis vertybėmis?|work=Delfi|language=lt|date=27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2066779/autumn-is-last-chance-to-pass-civil-union-bill-lithuania-s-freedom-party-chair|title=Autumn is last chance to pass civil union bill – Lithuania’s Freedom Party chair|date=31 August 2023|work=LRT.lt}}</ref> In June 2024, the Freedom Party announced it would block the government's candidate for European Commissioner until it agreed to pass the civil union bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2305869/mazieji-koalicijos-partneriai-tikisi-aiskumo-del-eurokomisaro-primins-civiline-sajunga|title=Mažieji koalicijos partneriai tikisi aiškumo dėl eurokomisaro: primins civilinę sąjungą|language=lt|date=26 June 2024|work=LRT.lt}}</ref> In the last few days of the legislative session in July 2024, the parties came to an agreement on the civil union bill and placed it on the agenda for a vote on the final day of the session. Although the Social Democrats had campaigned on supporting civil unions, they announced they would boycott the final reading, meaning the bill would be unable to pass without their votes. On 25 July, the government voluntarily pulled the bill from the schedule rather than allowing it to fail,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lnk.lt/straipsniai/politika/atidejus-civiline-sajunga--kaltinimai-vieni-kitiems-/263142|language=lt|date=25 July 2024|title=Atidėjus Civilinę sąjungą – kaltinimai vieni kitiems|work=LNK.lt}}</ref> which would allow it to be brought back by a new parliament following the [[2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election|October parliamentary election]] rather than starting the process over again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/pozicija/679/2367414/kristina-zamaryte-sakaviciene-demesio-kas-tarpuvaldziu-nori-iteisinti-civiline-sajunga|language=lt|title=Dėmesio: kas tarpuvaldžiu nori įteisinti civilinę sąjungą?|work=LRT.lt|date=24 September 2024|first=Kristina|last=Zamarytė-Sakavičienė}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/politics/coalition-may-try-to-adopt-civil-union-bill-in-autumn-session-opposition-mp-120049844|title=Coalition may try to adopt civil union bill in autumn session – opposition MP|work=Delfi.en|first=Karolis|last=Broga|date=13 September 2024}}</ref>

The election resulted in the formation of a [[Paluckas Cabinet|government]] composed of the Social Democrats and two socially-conservative parties, the [[Union of Democrats "For Lithuania"]] and the [[Dawn of Nemunas]], which oppose registered partnerships. In November, the Dawn of Nemunas party expressed its opposition to including the draft partnership bill in the new coalition's governing programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/ausrieciai-priestaraus-kad-partnerystes-klausimas-butu-itrauktas-i-vyriausybes-programa-56-2350142|language=lt|title=„Aušriečiai“ prieštaraus, kad partnerystės klausimas būtų įtrauktas į Vyriausybės programą|date=27 November 2024|first=Vilmantas|last=Venckūnas}}</ref> President Nausėda expressed opposition to the bill in February 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2490463/lithuanian-president-reveals-his-opposition-to-civil-union-law-in-upcoming-book?|title=Lithuanian president reveals his opposition to Civil Union Law in upcoming book|work=Lithuanian National Television and Radio|date=18 February 2025|first=Saulius|last=Jakučionis}}</ref>

===2025 Constitutional Court ruling and aftermath===
In early April 2025, the Constitutional Court announced it would hear [[oral argument]]s in a case filed by the previous government that denying same-sex couples the possibility to solemnize their partnerships "violates the constitutional principle of equality, discriminates against same-sex couples who have effectively formed family relationships, and violates their constitutional rights to legal protection of dignity and private life".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2531600/lithuania-s-top-court-opens-case-on-absence-of-same-sex-partnership-law|title=Lithuania’s top court opens case on absence of same-sex partnership law|work=LRT|date=8 April 2025}}</ref> On 17 April 2025, the court ruled that the lack of legal recognition for same-sex couples was unconstitutional. It found that article 3.229 of the Civil Code, which permits partnerships exclusively between a man and a woman, violates the Constitution. In addition, It added that the lack of legal recognition of same-sex partnerships contradicts the principles of human dignity and respect for private and family life, and that societal stereotypes cannot justify denying or restricting fundamental rights and freedoms. Consequently, the court mandated the Lithuanian Parliament to enact legislation recognizing civil partnerships, including for same-sex couples, to ensure equality and legal certainty. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court also opened a legal pathway for same-sex couples to register civil partnerships through the courts, even in the absence of specific legislation.<ref name=lrt2025>[https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2539322/absence-of-same-sex-partnerships-in-lithuania-unconstitutional-rules-court Absence of same-sex partnerships in Lithuania 'unconstitutional', rules court]</ref>

On 24 April, Prime Minister [[Gintautas Paluckas]] stated that the government would prepare legislation to legalise gender-neutral partnerships. "The Ministry of Justice will definitely prepare some proposals. Whether there is political will in the Seimas to resolve the rights of a certain group, we will see", said Paluckas. Such legislation would likely establish civil unions ({{langx|lt|civilinė sąjunga}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2141513/civiline-sajunga-nugule-i-stalciu-balsu-priemimui-nepakanka-o-landsbergis-teigia-toliau-eiti-yra-sudetinga|language=lt|date=5 December 2023|title=Civilinė sąjunga nugulė į stalčių? Balsų priėmimui nepakanka, o Landsbergis teigia: „Toliau eiti yra sudėtinga“|work=LRT}}</ref> {{IPA|lt|tsʲɪˈvʲɪlʲɪnʲeː ˈsâːjʊŋgɐ|pron}}){{efn|{{langx|pl|rejestrowany związek partnerski}}, {{IPA|pl|rɛ.jɛstrɔˈvanɨ ˈzvjɔ̃zɛk parˈtnɛrskʲi|pron}}; {{langx|sgs|cėvėlėnė sājonga}}}} offering some of the rights and benefits of marriage. On 17 June, [[List of speakers of the Seimas|Speaker]] [[Saulius Skvernelis]] said the government would not put the bill on the parliamentary agenda, because "the government believes it should bring forward its own bill and restart the whole process".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.respublika.lt/lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos_politika/sskvernelis-civilines-sajungos-istatymo-i-darbotvarke-netrauksime/|title=Skvernelis: Civilinės sąjungos įstatymo į darbotvarkę netrauksime|language=lt|date=19 June 2025|work=Respublika}}</ref> If passed, the bill is expected to come into force on 1 July 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2589283/liberalai-i-seimo-darbotvarke-siekia-grazinti-civilines-sajungos-projekta|title=Liberalai į Seimo darbotvarkę siekia grąžinti civilinės sąjungos projektą|language=lt|first=Paulius|last=Perminas|date=12 June 2025|work=LRT.lt}}</ref>

==Same-sex marriage==
{{Same-sex marriage map Europe|align=right}}

===Constitutional wording===
[[Same-sex marriage]] is not legal in Lithuania, as the Civil Code defines marriage as a "voluntary agreement between a man and a woman". Moreover, an additional article in the Civil Code explicitly bans same-sex marriages. Nevertheless, a drive to amend the [[Constitution of Lithuania]] to ban same-sex marriages was reportedly under way in December 2005 by a [[Social conservatism|social conservative]] member of the Seimas who had started collecting signatures.<ref>[http://www.baltictimes.com/hot1.php?art_id=14314 "Lithuania could follow in Latvia's footsteps on banning gay marriage"] The Baltic Times, December 24, 2005</ref> MP [[Julius Sabatauskas]], however, denounced the plan as unnecessary as "the Constitution already bans same-sex marriage". Article 38 of the Constitution states: "Marriage shall be concluded upon the free mutual consent of man and woman."{{efn|{{langx|lt|Santuoka sudaroma laisvu vyro ir moters sutarimu.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/lt/lt045en.pdf|title=Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania|work=wipo.int}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Konstitucija.htm|title=Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucija|language=lt|work=lrs.lt}}</ref>}}

===Recognition of marriages performed abroad===
On 5 June 2018, the [[European Court of Justice]] (ECJ) ruled in favour of a Romanian-American same-sex couple seeking recognition of their marriage in [[Romania]], so that the American partner could reside in the country.<ref name="bbc"/> The court held in ''[[Coman and Others v General Inspectorate for Immigration and Ministry of the Interior]]'' that [[European Union]] (EU) member states must uphold the [[Freedom of movement for workers in the European Union|freedom of movement]] and [[Citizenship of the European Union#Stated rights|residency rights]] of same-sex spouses, provided that one partner is an EU citizen.<ref name="reuters">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-court-lgbt/eu-states-must-recognize-foreign-same-sex-marriages-court-idUSKCN1J11LI EU states must recognize foreign same-sex marriages: court], ''Reuters'', June 5, 2018</ref><ref>[https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rights-same-sex-married-couples-122715174.html?guccounter=1 Rights for same-sex married couples to move around the EU confirmed in landmark ruling], ''Yahoo News'', June 6, 2018</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/rights-for-same-sex-married-couples-to-move-around-the-eu-confirmed-in-landmark-ruling-96387|title=Rights for same-sex married couples to move around the EU confirmed in landmark ruling|work=The Conversation|author=Alina Tryfonidou|date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> While EU member states may choose whether to legalise same-sex marriage, they cannot restrict the right of residence for EU citizens and their spouses. The ECJ also clarified that the term "spouse" is [[Gender-neutral language|gender-neutral]] and does not necessarily refer to someone of the opposite sex.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44366898|title=Same-sex spouses have equal residency rights|work=BBC News|date=June 6, 2018}}</ref> On 11 January 2019, the [[Constitutional Court of Lithuania|Constitutional Court]] ruled that the government must grant [[residency permit]]s to the same-sex spouses of EU citizens in compliance with the ECJ ruling.<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/01/11/lithuania-court-gay-ruling/ Lithuania court hands down landmark ruling about gay couples]. ''Pink News'', 11 January 2019</ref><ref>[https://emerging-europe.com/news/lithuanian-constitutional-court-rules-same-sex-spouses-be-granted-residence-permits/ Lithuanian Constitutional Court rules same-sex spouses be granted residence permits]. ''Emerging Europe'', 14 January 2019</ref>

In April 2023, three same-sex couples filed a lawsuit challenging the government's refusal to establish civil partnerships and its refusal to recognise same-sex marriages validly performed abroad. "For a long time, it has been misinterpreted that the Lithuanian Constitution prohibits same-sex marriages, but this is a myth that we will try to dispel in court. Especially since more than half of EU member countries have already legalized same-sex marriages," said a lawyer representing the couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/three_couples_take_lithuania_to_court_over_failure_to_recognize_same-sex_partnerships/|title=Three couples take Lithuania to court over failure to recognize same-sex partnerships|work=The Baltic Times|date=11 April 2023}}</ref> The couples also cited the [[European Court of Human Rights]]' January 2023 ruling in ''[[Fedotova and Others v. Russia]]'' that [[Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights|Article 8]] of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], which guarantees a right to private and family life, places a [[Positive obligations|positive obligation]] on all member states of the [[Council of Europe]] to recognize same-sex partnerships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eulawlive.com/ecthr-refusal-of-any-form-of-legal-recognition-and-protection-for-same-sex-couples-breaches-convention/|title=ECtHR: refusal of any form of legal recognition and protection for same-sex couples breaches Convention|date=17 January 2023|work=EU Law Live}}</ref> On 28 July 2023, a court in Vilnius dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Article 38 of the Constitution "is clear and specific, and does not give rise to any presumption that it can be interpreted as conferring the right to marry irrespective of the sex of the persons concerned". The couples announced their intention to [[appeal]] the decision.<ref name="Vilniuscourt">{{cite web|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_court_rejects_request_to_register_same-sex_marriage/|work=The Baltic Times|date=31 July 2023|title=Lithuanian court rejects request to register same-sex marriage}}</ref>

In May 2025, a same-sex couple who had [[Same-sex marriage in Belgium|legally married in Belgium]] filed a lawsuit seeking recognition of their foreign [[marriage license]] in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/politics/gay-couple-files-lawsuit-to-have-marriage-registered-in-lithuania-120104284|title=Gay couple files lawsuit to have marriage registered in Lithuania|work=Delfi|date=24 April 2025|first=Karolis|last=Broga}}</ref>

===Religious performance===
The [[Catholic Church in Lithuania|Catholic Church]] opposes same-sex marriage and does not allow its priests to officiate at such marriages. In December 2023, the [[Holy See]] published ''[[Fiducia supplicans]]'', a declaration allowing [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Catholic priests]] to [[Blessing in the Catholic Church|bless]] couples who are not considered to be [[Marriage in the Catholic Church|married according to church teaching]], including the [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|blessing of same-sex couples]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=JD |date=2023-12-22 |title=Is the 'false narrative' narrative a false narrative? |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/is-the-false-narrative-narrative |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=[[The Pillar]] |language=en|archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223121603/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/is-the-false-narrative-narrative |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Archbishop of Vilnius]] [[Gintaras Grušas]] released a statement on 22 December that "[t]he declaration encourages believers to realize that the Church does not seek to alienate, but to help those who seek God's help and desire to open up to Him, to better understand His plan of love and truth."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fiducia-supplicans-whos-saying-what|title='Fiducia supplicans': Who’s saying what?|work=The Pillar|first=Luke|last=Coppen|date=19 December 2023}}</ref>

==Public opinion==
According to the 2015 [[Eurobarometer]], 24% of [[Lithuanians]] supported same-sex marriage, the fourth lowest in the European Union, alongside [[Slovakia]], and significantly lower than the EU average of 61%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf |title=DISCRIMINATION IN THE EU IN 2015 |access-date=2018-01-06 |archive-date=2016-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122075042/http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 30% of Lithuanians thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 63% were against.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/ResultDoc/download/DocumentKy/87771|title=Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU|publisher=European Commission|work=TNS|access-date=23 September 2019|page=2}}</ref>

A November 2022 opinion poll conducted by the [[Delfi (web portal)|Delfi]] news website showed that one in two Lithuanians supported civil unions for same-sex couples, and 70% supported civil unions for opposite-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/lifestyle/every-second-lithuanian-supports-same-sex-civil-partnership.d?id=91677971|title=Every second Lithuanian supports same-sex civil partnership|work=Delfi|date=13 November 2022|archive-date=17 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117225601/https://www.delfi.lt/en/lifestyle/every-second-lithuanian-supports-same-sex-civil-partnership.d?id=91677971}}</ref>

A [[GLOBSEC]] survey conducted in March 2023 showed that 22% of Lithuanians supported same-sex marriage, while 60% were opposed.<ref name="globsec">{{cite web|url=https://www.globsec.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/GLOBSEC%20Trends%202023.pdf|title=GLOBSEC Trends 2023|work=GLOBSEC|page=75|date=2023}}</ref> The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 39% of Lithuanians thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe (an increase of 15% compared to the 2015 Eurobarometer), while 55% were opposed. The survey also found that 42% of respondents thought that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex", while 53% disagreed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2972|title=Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union|access-date=1 January 2024|work=europa.eu}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[LGBT rights in Lithuania]]
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Latvia]]
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe]]
* [[Same-sex marriage in Estonia]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe}}
{{Status of same-sex unions}}
{{Marriage amendments}}

[[Category:LGBTQ rights in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Recognition of same-sex relationships by country|Lithuania]]
[[Category:Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe|Lithuania]]