On December 16, Poland’s Ministry of Defence sent a letter to the Cabinet suggesting that agreements between cohabiting partners should grant all rights only after a year, sparking debate over the proposed law on the status of a closest person.
Defense Ministry’s New Proposal
Secretary of State Paweł Bejda sent a letter to Cabinet Permanent Secretary Mariusz Skowroński on Dec. 16, stating that people entering a cohabitation contract should acquire all rights listed in the newly amended laws only after a year from the contract’s conclusion.
Stonewall’s Reaction
Mateusz Sulwiński of the Stonewall LGBT‑plus advocacy group criticized the Ministry’s suggestion as a “new ministerial idea” and called it a “one‑year trial period for couples entering a partnership.”
PSL’s Opposition to Partner Status Law
The proposal follows the Polish People’s Party’s earlier opposition to the partner‑status bill, which enabled formalizing same‑sex partnerships. PSL objected particularly to registering such unions at Civil Registry Offices and warned that new legal arrangements could lead to financial abuse.
Cabinet Review Scheduled
The Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers will debate the proposal on Dec. 18. The draft is then expected to be sent to the Sejm, with hopes it will be adopted by the end of December, according to Secretary of State Katarzyna Kotula.
Potential Effects of the Contract
Individuals who conclude a cohabitation agreement must do so before a notary; the document will be registered at the Civil Registry Office but will not change their civil status. It will allow tax exemption from inheritance and gifts, joint health insurance, eligibility for family pension and burial rights, and mutual access to medical records.