The Polish Sejm began debating a government bill on Wednesday, May 27, which would allow cohabitating adults, including same-sex couples, to formalize their partnership through a notary and secure essential legal protections.
Legislative Framework for Partnerships
The proposed legislation allows two adults to enter into a notarized agreement, registered with the Civil Registry Office. This contract enables partners to define their property regime, establish alimony obligations, and secure rights to shared housing.
Furthermore, the bill grants partners the authority to access each other’s medical information and act as legal representatives in daily administrative matters. Government equality representative Katarzyna Kotula emphasized that the state should no longer ignore the reality of families who live together but remain legal strangers.
Addressing Equality and Daily Hurdles
Kotula highlighted the struggles faced by the LGBT community, noting that partners often fight for the right to make burial decisions or manage affairs before distant relatives intervene. She argued that the state has no moral or constitutional right to pretend these relationships do not exist.
The minister stressed that the law applies to all unmarried couples, including heterosexuals who choose not to formalize their status. She rejected claims that the bill undermines marriage, clarifying that it does not alter the Family and Guardianship Code or the constitutional definition of marriage.
Parliamentary Progress and Presidential Stance
Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty stated the intent to pass the bill through a third reading during the current session to ensure it reaches the Senate promptly. The parliamentary extraordinary committee concluded its work on the regulations on Tuesday, May 26.
Presidential chief of staff Paweł Szefernaker noted that President Karol Nawrocki is open to discussing the legal status of close persons to facilitate daily life, provided these arrangements do not create “quasi-marriages” that challenge the constitutional status of traditional marriage.