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# Poland's president vetoes recognition for gay couples
- URL: https://www.gtv.blue/poland/
- Published: 2026-07-23T23:04:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-24T07:16:15.000Z
- Description: Marriage Equality remains a long way off for the country's LGBTQ community.
- Author: Gareth Johnson
- Tags: An LGBTQ Guide to the World

The president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, has vetoed two bills that would have extended legal recognition to same-sex couples. 

The legislation had been passed by the parliament of Poland - led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and a progressive coalition.

The new laws would have created a mechanism for same-sex couples to confirm their legal status in relation to medical information, property rights, and funeral arrangements. These proposed "cohabitation contracts" were a long way off anything approaching marriage equality.

In vetoing the legislation, President Nawrocki - who is seen as a conservative - stated that the proposed cohabitation contracts were too similar to marriage.

“These proposals create a new, formalised institution of family law, equipped with a broad catalogue of rights similar to those of marriage...” said the President, in a statement released to the media. 

The President went on to say that the bills would lead to “the loss of the special status of marriage,” defined as “a union of a man and a woman under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.”

## What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland?

What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

### Is homosexuality legal in Poland?

Yes.

The legal history is a bit complicated but you could say that homosexuality was decriminalised in 1945.

### Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people?

There are some limited employment-based protections.

### Is there Marriage Equality in Poland?

No. Poland’s 1997 constitution states that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

### What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland?

Poland remains a very socially-conservative country, with the Catholic Church a big player in shaping public opinion.

Religious conservatism is a powerful force in sustaining systemic homophobia.

The most recent [ILGA report on LGBTQ Equality](https://rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org/countries/poland/?ref=gtv.blue) across Europe ranked Poland in 39th position overall. With an overall score of 21.5%, Poland scored weakly across all assessment criteria, making it one of the worst countries in Europe for LGBTQ people to live.

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