Marriage and adoption: what the Council of State’s decision means in practice for rainbow families

After the Council of State decision, same-sex marriage and adoption remain fully open, as set out by Law 5089/2024. The Council of State ruled the law constitutional, and that means stability for rainbow families: marriages that took place remain valid and the procedures continue. But the law’s gaps were not closed. See what changes in practice and what doesn’t.

Last checked: 21 March 2026. Note: this is not legal advice — for your own case, speak with a lawyer.

For the full picture, meaning marriage, adoption and gender identity, start with our guide to LGBTQ+ rights in Greece in 2026.

What the Council of State ruled on same-sex marriage

The Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, examined Law 5089/2024, which was passed in February 2024 and opened civil marriage and adoption to same-sex couples. Its conclusion: the law is constitutional.

The decision became known in March 2026. According to reports, this is decision 392/2026. In simple terms, the highest court found no reason to strike down the law, so it continues to apply normally.

Why it matters

While the issue of constitutionality was still pending, many couples lived with an “what if?” What if our marriage is annulled? What if adoption stops halfway through? The Council of State decision on same-sex marriage answers that anxiety: the law stands. For the services as well, the picture is now clear.

What it means in practice for marriage

If you are already married

Your marriage is supported by a law that was ruled constitutional. You do not need to do anything because the decision came out. The only thing we recommend is to always have official copies of your marriage documents handy for services, banks and travel.

If you are thinking about getting married

1. Start with your municipality. Ask which documents are needed and how much time you should allow.
2. Check both of your documents. If one of you has foreign citizenship, ask early what additional documents are required.
3. Have a conversation with a lawyer before the wedding about property, housing and children, especially if your family has special circumstances.

Same-sex marriage takes place at the municipality, with a civil ceremony, just like for any couple choosing this path.

Adoption by same-sex couples after the decision

The same applies to adoption. Same-sex couples can begin the adoption process as a couple, with the criteria and checks that apply to every prospective parent. The Council of State decision did not change anything here; it simply confirmed it.

If you are already in the process, continue as usual and stay in touch with the relevant services. If you are only now considering it, get informed from an official source and speak with a family law lawyer. Adoption takes time for everyone, so good preparation and a supportive circle make a big difference.

If your partner already has a child

Many rainbow families have a child from one parent’s previous relationship. Here the questions are more complex, because other people or earlier decisions are often involved too. Don’t rely on general answers from the internet. Ask a lawyer which paths exist for your family.

What does not change: the gaps that remain

The decision confirmed the law; it did not expand it. What it did not cover before, it does not cover now either.

• Surrogacy: altruistic surrogacy is not open to male couples.
• Children born before the law: for some families, issues of recognition of both parents remain.
• Special cases: if, for example, you married or had a child abroad, ask a lawyer how your case is handled in Greece.

If your family is in one of these situations, don’t wait. The sooner you have a clear picture, the easier it is to make decisions.

A short checklist for rainbow families

1. Keep all official documents in a safe place: marriage, birth, adoption.
2. Make a list of anything that is not clear for your family.
3. Book an appointment with a lawyer and bring the list with you.
4. If a service is difficult, ask for a written response and note the date and details.
5. Get your information from sources that include a check date, not from old posts.

For the European picture of family rights, ILGA-Europe regularly publishes data and analysis.

The families behind the decision

Behind the numbers of laws and decisions there are people: two moms packing school bags, two dads waiting for a call from the adoption service, children who simply want to list both of their parents on the school card. For them, the Council of State decision on same-sex marriage means something very simple: peace of mind.

And if peace of mind brings celebration, celebration calls for dancing. Enola Bar Club, at 19 Valaoritou, is open every day from 23:30 for 18+. For a wedding party, birthday or big group, contact the Enola team in advance so you can organize it properly.

To get to know these families better, read our piece about the rainbow families of Thessaloniki. And if you are a parent who has just heard your child’s coming out, we have a guide for parents.