Poland proposes ‘cohabitation’ bill

The Polish government has approved a bill on ‘cohabitation’ that aims to partially improve the legal status of same-sex couples. The move would bring official recognition to same-sex relationships for the first time in Poland, one of the countries with the most restrictive LGBTQI+ rights in the European Union.

According to Reuters, the bill would allow two people, regardless of gender, to sign a notarized “cohabitation agreement.” The document would cover housing rights, alimony, access to health information and health insurance, joint tax returns and some tax breaks. However, the bill does not envisage legalizing same-sex marriage. It is worth noting that same-sex marriage is still banned in Poland.

The bill was approved by the government on December 30 and is currently awaiting approval from President Karol Nawrotski, who is known for his nationalist stance. LGBTQI+ organizations, however, have expressed disappointment with the document, but said it could be the only regulation likely to pass parliament.

The Campaign Against Homophobia in Poland said in a statement:

“This is not a moment of victory. After two years of Donald Tusk’s government, the ruling coalition has finally agreed on a common proposal. This is not the law we have been fighting for for years — it is an extremely limited response to high expectations and the only option that can provide some legal certainty in the current circumstances.”

Poland, a predominantly Catholic country, remains one of the most restrictive countries in the European Union on LGBTQI+ rights, despite growing public support for the recognition of same-sex couples. Although Donald Tusk’s government, which came to power in 2023, has promised to reverse previous ultra-conservative policies, reforms on abortion and LGBTQI+ rights have faced serious obstacles due to resistance from conservative forces within the coalition and veto threats from right-wing nationalist circles.

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