Poland President Nawrocki Vetoes Same-Sex Civil Partnership Law

Poland's President Blocks Historic Civil Partnership Bill

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed landmark legislation that would have granted legal recognition to same-sex couples through civil partnerships, dealing a severe blow to LGBTQ+ rights in one of the European Union's most socially conservative member states. The veto, announced on July 17, 2026, blocks the "Act on the Status of the Closest Person" and the "Cohabitation Agreement," which had been approved by the Polish Sejm (lower house of parliament) on May 29, 2026, with a vote of 230 to 198.

The proposed laws would have allowed both same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried couples to enter into registered partnerships, granting rights including joint property ownership, tax exemptions, access to a partner's medical information, inheritance rights, and burial decisions. The legislation was a key reform pledge of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist coalition government, which took office in late 2023 after eight years of conservative Law and Justice (PiS) rule.

President's Constitutional Objections

Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist aligned with the opposition PiS party, justified his veto by arguing that the civil partnership law created a "quasi-marriage" that violates Article 18 of the Polish Constitution, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In a statement following the veto, Nawrocki said that nothing resembling a marriage alternative could count on his support, asserting that the legislation went too far in replicating marital rights.

The president's office emphasized that Nawrocki remains open to narrower solutions addressing practical legal issues for cohabiting couples without undermining the constitutional definition of marriage. However, LGBTQ+ advocates argue that the veto represents a continuation of the discriminatory policies pursued by the previous PiS government, which had declared LGBTQ+ "ideology" a threat to Polish society and encouraged municipalities to adopt "LGBT-free zone" declarations.

Political Fallout and Tusk's Response

Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacted with fury to the veto, calling it "an expression of contempt for people and their right to happiness and a normal life." Tusk emphasized that the bill was "not radical or ideological" but was "simply meant to help people and make their lives easier." The Polish political divide over LGBTQ rights has deepened since Tusk's coalition came to power, with Nawrocki using his presidential veto repeatedly to block government initiatives.

Since taking office in 2025, Nawrocki has vetoed legislation on wind energy deregulation, financial support for Ukrainian refugees, military aid to Ukraine, and a European Union loan for Polish defense. The president's consistent obstruction has frustrated Tusk's agenda and highlighted the institutional tensions between the government and the presidency in Poland's political system.

Limited Path to Override

Overriding a presidential veto in Poland requires a three-fifths majority (276 votes) in the 460-seat Sejm, a threshold the ruling coalition cannot currently meet. The Tusk government commands approximately 240 seats across its coalition partners, falling short of the required supermajority. This makes the veto effectively final unless the coalition can secure additional support from opposition lawmakers, which appears unlikely given PiS's strong opposition to the bill.

According to recent polling by the CBOS public opinion research center, 62% of Poles support the introduction of same-sex civil partnerships, indicating a significant shift in public attitudes even as political leadership remains divided. Poland, alongside Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia, now remains one of the last EU countries without any form of same-sex union recognition.

Broader Context of LGBTQ+ Rights in Poland

Poland has one of the poorest records on LGBTQ+ rights in the European Union, according to ILGA-Europe's annual rankings. While same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1932 and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned, the country offers no legal recognition for same-sex relationships, no adoption rights, and limited hate crime protections.

The EU legal framework for same-sex couples has increasingly pressured Poland to change its policies. In March 2026, the Polish Supreme Administrative Court ruled that civil registry offices must recognize and transcribe marriage certificates of same-sex couples married in other EU member states, following a European Court of Justice ruling. The Warsaw registry office implemented this ruling on May 14, 2026, allowing some same-sex couples to gain limited recognition.

Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula condemned the veto, stating that Nawrocki was "turning his back on roughly 2 million Poles in informal partnerships" but expressed confidence that "these changes would ultimately be unstoppable." Activists point out that the only remaining option for same-sex couples seeking legal recognition is to marry in one of 15 EU countries where it is legal, then seek transcription in Poland — a costly and burdensome process.

Impact on Same-Sex Couples

The veto leaves same-sex couples in Poland without any domestic legal framework to protect their relationships. Without civil partnerships, couples face significant legal vulnerabilities in areas such as hospital visitation rights, medical decision-making, inheritance, and property division in the event of separation or death.

Bart and Slawek, a same-sex couple featured in Polish media, expressed their disappointment, noting that they had hoped to formalize their relationship without having to travel abroad. The recognition of foreign same-sex marriages in Poland offers some relief but does not address the fundamental lack of domestic legal options.

FAQ: Poland's Same-Sex Partnership Veto

What did the vetoed law propose?

The "Act on the Status of the Closest Person" would have allowed two adults to register a civil union granting rights to joint property, joint taxation, inheritance, access to medical information, and survivor's pensions. It applied to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples but did not include adoption or joint child-rearing provisions.

Why did President Nawrocki veto the bill?

Nawrocki argued the law created a "quasi-marriage" that violates Article 18 of the Polish Constitution, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. He stated that nothing resembling an alternative to marriage could receive his support.

Can the veto be overridden?

Yes, but it requires a three-fifths majority (276 votes) in the Sejm. The ruling coalition does not currently have enough votes to override the veto, making it effectively final.

What options remain for same-sex couples in Poland?

Same-sex couples can marry in another EU country where it is legal (15 EU states permit same-sex marriage) and then request recognition in Poland under the March 2026 Supreme Administrative Court ruling. However, this process is expensive and does not provide the same protections as domestic legislation.

How does Poland compare to other EU countries on LGBTQ+ rights?

Poland ranks among the worst EU countries for LGBTQ+ rights, alongside Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia. It is one of the last EU members without same-sex marriage or civil unions, despite growing public support for partnership recognition.

Sources

Reuters - Polish president vetoes bills that would have improved rights of same-sex couples

France 24 - Polish president vetoes civil partnerships bill

Urania Institute - Poland: President vetoes same-sex partnerships

Notes from Poland - Polish parliament approves rights for same-sex couples but president pledges veto