#Poland #Warsaw – On May 14, 2026, authorities in Poland’s capital registered the country’s first transcription of a same-sex marriage certificate from abroad, marking a significant legal development in a nation where domestic same-sex unions remain constitutionally prohibited.
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced the milestone, stating that the city’s civil registry office had issued the first transcription of a marriage certificate for a same-sex couple “in accordance with the court rulings” and “without delay.” The couple in question, Mateusz Trojan and Jakub Cupriak-Trojan, had married in Berlin, Germany, in 2018.
The move followed a series of court decisions. In March 2026, Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court ordered officials to recognize the couple’s union for administrative purposes. This built on a November 2025 ruling by the European Union’s highest court, which required member states to register same-sex marriages performed in other EU countries to uphold free movement rights.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose government took power after the 2023 elections, publicly apologized for what he described as “years of rejection and humiliation” faced by same-sex couples under previous administrations. Tusk pledged to implement regulations allowing the transcription of foreign same-sex marriage certificates into Poland’s civil registry. However, he explicitly stated that the change would not open the door to adoption rights or full domestic legalization of same-sex marriage.
Poland’s constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and the country does not permit same-sex marriages or civil partnerships domestically. The recognition of foreign unions provides limited administrative benefits—such as updates to official records for residency, inheritance, or healthcare purposes—but does not confer all the rights associated with Polish marriages.
Trzaskowski emphasized Warsaw’s commitment to acting swiftly, even ahead of national legislation, describing the city as open and inclusive. Legal experts noted that while this precedent could ease processes for other Polish citizens married abroad in EU countries, implementation might vary by locality until uniform national rules are established.
The development highlighted ongoing tensions between Poland’s conservative social policies, strong Catholic influence, and its obligations as an EU member state. Conservative critics, including opposition figures, condemned the move as unconstitutional or a step toward broader cultural changes, while supporters viewed it as a long-overdue correction aligned with European legal standards.
Image: Donald Tusk, seen on May 12th, 2026, where he publicly apologized to all homosexuals in Poland.
