Family reunification (EU citizens) - opposite-sex civil partnership

Eli115 New member

Member since 14 April 2021

Eli115New member15 May 2021 20:42:20

Hi all,

I understand that opposite-sex civil partnership isn't recognized here in Germany.

I wonder, however, if a registered partner can still apply for family reunification here, on the ground that it's equal to marriage in his/her home country. Or this only works for same-sex couples and the only way for opposite-sex couples is to get married?

Thank you!
Eli

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppiGermany/Singapore Expert15 May 2021 21:51:26

15584

As far as I know, same or opposite sex couples are treated the same, meaning only married relationships are recognised.
There may be an exemption for countries where same sex marriages are not possible - and certainly for EU-registered unions.

TominStuttgart Germany Expert

Member since 19 March 2012

TominStuttgartGermany Expert16 May 2021 07:04:16

2793

beppi wrote:
As far as I know, same or opposite sex couples are treated the same, meaning only married relationships are recognised.
There may be an exemption for countries where same sex marriages are not possible - and certainly for EU-registered unions.

This is incorrect. Marriage until now is officially for opposite sex marriages but for same-sex couples civil partnership is also recognized.

Any German should be aware of this since the vice chancellor from 2009 to 2011, Guido Westerwelle was in such a union.

But marriages are done through a civil process in Germany; getting married in a church or other religious way is an additional ceremonial act. The legal marriage takes place at city hall. Thus there would be no reason to have civil-unions between opposite sex couple since that is what a marriage is anyway. Such a civil union has the same status but was the German way to avoid the terminology conflict.