Entry #98: Same-sex marriage in Bulgaria

Current Version

Region	Bulgaria
Issue	Same-sex marriage
Status	Banned
Start Date	Jul 12, 1991
End Date	(none)
Description	Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Bulgaria has recognized one gay marriage because of a court ruling, and only one being recognized does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.
Sources	https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bulgaria_2015 https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/07/25/bulgaria-same-sex-marriage-equality/?utm

Revision History (32)

Jun 29, 2024

edited by Unknownmiles. making the description sound better

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
Description	Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Currently, Bulgaria has only recognized 1 gay marriage after a court ruling, but only 1 being recognized and none other does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.	Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Bulgaria has recognized one gay marriage because of a court ruling, and only one being recognized does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.
Description	Show Difference Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Currently, Bulgaria has only recognized 1 gay marriage after a court ruling, but only 1 being recognized and none other does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages. one gay marriage because of a court ruling, and only one being recognized does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.

Apr 20, 2024

edited by Unknownmiles. Fixing date and description and links

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jan 1, 2018	Jul 12, 1991
Description	The Constitution of Bulgaria defines marriage in heterosexual terms only. Additionally, Bulgaria does not record foreign same-sex marriages.	Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Currently, Bulgaria has only recognized 1 gay marriage after a court ruling, but only 1 being recognized and none other does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.
Description	Show Difference The Constitution of Bulgaria defines marriage in heterosexual terms only. Additionally, Bulgaria does not record foreign same-sex marriages. Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Currently, Bulgaria has only recognized 1 gay marriage after a court ruling, but only 1 being recognized and none other does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.
Sources	https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/Communications/Bulgaria_NGO_DEN/Annex_3_Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Bulgaria.pdf	https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bulgaria_2015 https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/07/25/bulgaria-same-sex-marriage-equality/?utm
Sources	Show Difference https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/Communications/Bulgaria_NGO_DEN/Annex_3_Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Bulgaria.pdf https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bulgaria_2015 https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/07/25/bulgaria-same-sex-marriage-equality/?utm

Apr 17, 2024

edited by Doomdorm64. Updating description

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	Jan 1, 2018
Description	Bulgaria does not recognise same-sex marriages including foreign ones.	The Constitution of Bulgaria defines marriage in heterosexual terms only. Additionally, Bulgaria does not record foreign same-sex marriages.
Description	Show Difference Bulgaria does not recognise same-sex marriages including foreign ones. The Constitution of Bulgaria defines marriage in heterosexual terms only. Additionally, Bulgaria does not record foreign same-sex marriages.
Sources	https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html	https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/Communications/Bulgaria_NGO_DEN/Annex_3_Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Bulgaria.pdf
Sources	Show Difference https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/Communications/Bulgaria_NGO_DEN/Annex_3_Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Bulgaria.pdf

Apr 10, 2024

edited by danlev. Migrating all "Unrecognized, banned" statuses to "Banned"

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	Old Value	New Value
Value		Banned

Oct 10, 2023

edited by akiza. The previous enry was false. EU laws do not make foreign same-sex marriages legal.

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Start Date	2007	(unknown)
Description	Under EU Laws, all member states including Bulgaria have to recognise foreign same sex marriages	Bulgaria does not recognise same-sex marriages including foreign ones.
Description	Show Difference Under EU Laws, all member states including Bulgaria have to recognise foreign same sex marriages does not recognise same-sex marriages including foreign ones.
Sources	https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/rainbow-europe-2023/	https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html
Sources	Show Difference https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/rainbow-europe-2023/ https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-violated-rights-same-sex-couple-echr/32579679.html

Reports (1)
Status is not correct "Should be "not legal", there is constitutional ban, right?"
Jan 7, 2024

Sep 27, 2023

edited by Canadianstudent03. Making this change due to overlap

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	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	1991	2007

Sep 26, 2023

edited by Canadianstudent03. Making this change because it’s incorrect

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Banned	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Description	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. In Bulgaria, there have been some debates to recognise Civil unions. However, none have seem to pass.	Under EU Laws, all member states including Bulgaria have to recognise foreign same sex marriages
Description	Show Difference Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. In Bulgaria, there have been some debates to recognise Civil unions. However, none have seem to pass. Under EU Laws, all member states including Bulgaria have to recognise foreign same sex marriages

Sep 3, 2023

edited by Vito12. Adding info

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	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	1999	1991

Sep 3, 2023

edited by Vito12. Adding info

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	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jul 25, 2019	1999

Aug 27, 2023

edited by Vito12. Adding more info

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. Same-sex relationships in Bulgaria are also not recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. There have been Civil union debates however none have passed.	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. In Bulgaria, there have been some debates to recognise Civil unions. However, none have seem to pass.
Description	Show Difference Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. Same-sex relationships in Bulgaria are also not recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. There have been Civil union debates however none have passed. January. In Bulgaria, there have been some debates to recognise Civil unions. However, none have seem to pass.

Aug 27, 2023

edited by Vito12. More info

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there.	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. Same-sex relationships in Bulgaria are also not recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. There have been Civil union debates however none have passed.
Description	Show Difference Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there. there. In 2017, a Bulgarian same-sex couple, who married in the United Kingdom, filed a lawsuit in order to have their marriage recognised. The Sofia Administrative Court rejected their case in January. Same-sex relationships in Bulgaria are also not recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. There have been Civil union debates however none have passed.

Aug 27, 2023

edited by Vito12. Making this change because it is not correct.

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships.	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there.
Description	Show Difference Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships. Neither foreign same-sex marriages are recognised in the Republic of Bulgaria. A couple, an Australian woman and her French wife, had married in France in 2016, but were denied residency in Bulgaria a year later when they attempted to move there.

Aug 27, 2023

edited by Vito12. Making this change because it is not correct.

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Marriage is defined between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned. No recognition of same-sex couples.	Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships.
Description	Show Difference Marriage is defined between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned. No recognition of same-sex couples. Since 1991, Article 46 of the Bulgarian Constitution has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage. There is no recognition of same-sex relationships.

Aug 18, 2023

edited by Vito12. Making this change because it is not correct.

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	Old Value	New Value
Description	Marriage is defined between a man and a woman	Marriage is defined between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned. No recognition of same-sex couples.
Description	Show Difference Marriage is defined between a man and a woman woman. Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned. No recognition of same-sex couples.

Aug 18, 2023

edited by Vito12. Making this change because it is not correct.

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unrecognized	Banned
Description	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages not recognised or anymore	Marriage is defined between a man and a woman
Description	Show Difference Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages not recognised or anymore Marriage is defined between a man and a woman

Aug 8, 2023

edited by Vito12. Making this change because it is not correct.

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only	Unrecognized
Description	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages are recognised under EU law	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages not recognised or anymore
Description	Show Difference Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages are recognised under EU law not recognised or anymore

Aug 8, 2023

edited by Canadianstudent03. though foreign marriages are recognised under EU law

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unrecognized	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Description	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned.	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, though foreign marriages are recognised under EU law
Description	Show Difference Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. banned, though foreign marriages are recognised under EU law
Sources	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Bulgaria	https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/rainbow-europe-2023/

Jul 22, 2023

edited by Vito12. If this is wrong please change it

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Banned	Unrecognized

Jul 22, 2023

edited by Vito12. If this is wrong please change it

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unrecognized	Banned

Jul 11, 2023

edited by Vito12. If this is wrong please change it

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Banned	Unrecognized

Jul 11, 2023

edited by Vito12. If this is wrong please change it

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unrecognized	Banned

Jul 9, 2023

edited by Vito12. I changed this because it was incorrect information

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only	Unrecognized
Description	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage, but it is a limited recognition.	Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned.
Description	Show Difference Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage, but it is a limited recognition. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned.
Sources	http://www.parliament.bg/en/const	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Bulgaria

Dec 24, 2022

edited by XabBG. Forgein same sex civil marriages are recognized in Bulgaria with residence purposes

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unrecognized	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Start Date	Jul 13, 1991	Jul 25, 2019

Reports (8)
Newer law has been passed "Same sex marriage is banned. "
Jul 9, 2023
Newer law has been passed "Bulgaria has banned same sex marriage and does not recognise any foreign look here for proof and see same sex marriage in bulgaria is constitutionaly banned https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Bulgaria
"
Jul 9, 2023
Newer law has been passed "Gay marriage is constitutionaly banned "
Jul 9, 2023
Newer law has been passed "In bulgaria it's unrecognised/not legal "
Jul 8, 2023
Date is incorrect 
Jun 29, 2023
Status is not correct "Gay marriage is not legal in bulgaria"
May 27, 2023
Status is not correct "It's fully illegal for gay marriage in bulgaria"
May 27, 2023
Date is incorrect "There are only a few occasions of foreign same-sex marriage recognition in Bulgaria. In most of the cases, same sex maariages are NOT recognised by Bulgarian court."
Jan 17, 2023

Jun 28, 2022

edited by XabBG

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage.	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage, but it is a limited recognition.
Description	Show Difference Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage. marriage, but it is a limited recognition.

Jun 28, 2022

edited by XabBG

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only	Unrecognized

Jun 28, 2022

edited by XabBG

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	(REMOVED)	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Special Status	Ambiguous	Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only

Jun 28, 2022

edited by amogusxab

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	Old Value	New Value
Special Status	N/A	Ambiguous

Jun 28, 2022

edited by amogusxab

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	Old Value	New Value
Special Status	Ambiguous	N/A

Jun 28, 2022

edited by amogusxab

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Unregistered cohabitation	(REMOVED)
Special Status	Unregistered cohabitation	Ambiguous

Jun 28, 2022

edited by XabBG

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	Old Value	New Value
Value	Other type of partnership	Unregistered cohabitation
Description	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage.
Description	Show Difference Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage.

Jun 28, 2022

edited by XabBG

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	Old Value (Original)	New Value
Value	Banned	Other type of partnership

Aug 20, 2013

created by brennen

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	Original entry
Status	Banned
Start Date	Jul 13, 1991
End Date	(none)
Description	Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution
Sources	http://www.parliament.bg/en/const

Reports (1)
Status is not correct "No same-sex marriage has been recognised in Bulgaria so far even foreign same-sex marriages."
Jun 24, 2021