Civil unions in Switzerland
Encyclopedia
Switzerland recognizes same-sex registered partnership
s. In a nationwide referendum on June 5, 2005
, the Swiss
people approved by 58% a registered partnership
law, granting same-sex couples the same rights and protections as opposite-sex couples, except:
However, in terms of next of kin
status, taxation, social security
, insurance
, and shared possession of a dwelling, same-sex couples are granted the same rights as married couples. The official title of the same-sex union is "Eingetragene Partnerschaft" in German, "Partenariat enregistré" in French, and "Associazione registrata" in Italian, meaning "registered partnership
". The bill was passed by the National Council
, 111 to 72, on December 3, 2003 and by the Council of States
on June 3, 2004, with minor changes. The National Council
approved it again on June 10, but the conservative
Federal Democratic Union
collected signatures to force a referendum. The law came into effect on January 1, 2007.
Same-sex marriages formed outside Switzerland will be recognised as registered partnership
s within Switzerland. Switzerland was the first nation to pass a same-sex union law by referendum.
has had a law on cantonal level, "Registered Partnership" or "PACS" (Pacte civil de solidarité
), since 2001. It grants unmarried couples
, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, many rights, responsibilities and protections that married couples have. However, it does not allow benefits in taxation, social security, or health insurance premiums (unlike the federal law). The origin of the PACS lies in the French
law of the same name. By February 2005, 215 same-sex and 54 opposite-sex couples took advantage of the law and 19 couples ended their partnerships
.
On September 22, 2002, the canton of Zurich
passed a same-sex partnership law by referendum that goes further than Geneva's law, but requires couples to live together for six months before registering.
In July 2004, the canton of Neuchâtel passed a law recognizing unmarried couples. By February 2005, 35 opposite-sex and 21 same-sex couples took advantage of the law.
, the Greens
and the Liberals
support it.
The Green Party of Switzerland
supports same-sex marriage, according to its 2007 electoral manifesto.
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
s. In a nationwide referendum on June 5, 2005
Swiss referendum, June 2005
The June 2005 Swiss referendum took place on 5 June 2005 with two questions on the ballot. One question was on whether Switzerland should accede to the Schengen Agreement and become part of the Schengen Area. The other question was to decide if registered partnerships for same-sex couples should be...
, the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
people approved by 58% a registered partnership
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
law, granting same-sex couples the same rights and protections as opposite-sex couples, except:
- adoption of children
- fertilityIn vitro fertilisationIn vitro fertilisation is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed...
treatments - taking the same surnameSurnameA surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
However, in terms of next of kin
Next of kin
Next of kin is a term with many interpretations depending on the jurisdiction being referred to. In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, it is used to describe a person's closest living blood relative or relatives...
status, taxation, social security
Social security
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...
, insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
, and shared possession of a dwelling, same-sex couples are granted the same rights as married couples. The official title of the same-sex union is "Eingetragene Partnerschaft" in German, "Partenariat enregistré" in French, and "Associazione registrata" in Italian, meaning "registered partnership
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
". The bill was passed by the National Council
National Council of Switzerland
The National Council of Switzerland is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland. With 200 seats, it is the larger of the two houses....
, 111 to 72, on December 3, 2003 and by the Council of States
Swiss Council of States
The Council of States of Switzerland is the smaller chamber of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, and is considered the Assembly's upper house. There are 46 Councillors....
on June 3, 2004, with minor changes. The National Council
National Council of Switzerland
The National Council of Switzerland is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland. With 200 seats, it is the larger of the two houses....
approved it again on June 10, but the conservative
Social conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
Federal Democratic Union
Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland
The Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland is a political party in Switzerland....
collected signatures to force a referendum. The law came into effect on January 1, 2007.
Same-sex marriages formed outside Switzerland will be recognised as registered partnership
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
s within Switzerland. Switzerland was the first nation to pass a same-sex union law by referendum.
Canton laws
The Canton of GenevaCanton of Geneva
The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the French speaking westernmost canton or state of Switzerland, surrounded on almost all sides by France. As is the case in several other Swiss cantons The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the French speaking westernmost canton or state of Switzerland,...
has had a law on cantonal level, "Registered Partnership" or "PACS" (Pacte civil de solidarité
Pacte civil de solidarité
In France, a pacte civil de solidarité commonly known as a PACS /paks/ , is a form of civil union between two adults for organising their joint life. It brings rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage...
), since 2001. It grants unmarried couples
Cohabitation
Cohabitation usually refers to an arrangement whereby two people decide to live together on a long-term or permanent basis in an emotionally and/or sexually intimate relationship. The term is most frequently applied to couples who are not married...
, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, many rights, responsibilities and protections that married couples have. However, it does not allow benefits in taxation, social security, or health insurance premiums (unlike the federal law). The origin of the PACS lies in the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
law of the same name. By February 2005, 215 same-sex and 54 opposite-sex couples took advantage of the law and 19 couples ended their partnerships
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
.
On September 22, 2002, the canton of Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
passed a same-sex partnership law by referendum that goes further than Geneva's law, but requires couples to live together for six months before registering.
In July 2004, the canton of Neuchâtel passed a law recognizing unmarried couples. By February 2005, 35 opposite-sex and 21 same-sex couples took advantage of the law.
Same-sex marriage
Discussions about allowing same-sex marriage are beginning in Switzerland and some politicians from the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
, the Greens
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
and the Liberals
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
support it.
The Green Party of Switzerland
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
supports same-sex marriage, according to its 2007 electoral manifesto.
See also
- LGBT rights in Switzerland
- Civil unionCivil unionA civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe