Civil union in Portugal

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Legal recognition of
Same-sex unions
Same-sex marriage

Belgium
Canada
Netherlands

Norway
South Africa
Spain

Recognized in some regions

United States (MA, CA eff. 2008-6-16 at 5:01 p.m.)

Foreign marriages recognized

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Israel
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United States (NM, NY, RI)

Civil unions and
registered partnerships

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Finland
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Hungary (eff. 2009-1-1)
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Recognized in some regions

Argentina (C, R, VCP)
Australia (TAS, SA, ACT, VIC eff. 2008-12-1)
Brazil (RS)
Canada (QC)
Mexico (Coah., DF)
United States (CA, CT, DC, HI, ME, NH, NJ, OR, VT, WA)

Unregistered co-habitation

Australia
Austria
Brazil
Colombia

Croatia
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Portugal

Recognition being debated

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   (IA, IL, MD, NM, NY, RI)

Same-sex marriage debated,
recognition granted

Czech Republic
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France
Hungary
Iceland

New Zealand
Portugal
Sweden
United Kingdom

United States (CT, DC, HI, ME, NH, NJ, OR, VT, WA)
See also

Same-sex marriage
Civil union
Registered partnership
Domestic partnership
Timeline of same-sex marriage
Listings by country

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Civil unions in Portugal were introduced for opposite-sex couples in 1 July 1999 and extended to same-sex couples by the act of 15 March 2001.

The current legislation extends to same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples living in a de facto union for more than two years. The law covers housing arrangements, civil servants and work benefits, the option to choose a fiscal regime as married partners, and welfare benefits. The difference in the civil union law between same-sex and opposite-sex couples is that only opposite-sex couples can adopt children together.

There is no registration on the process. An application of joint tax assessment can be made to prove the union but it is not required.

Also in 15 March 2001, a new multi-person law ("common economy") was also approved that protects two or more persons that live in common economy with most of the rights of the de facto union, except welfare benefits.

Since December 2006, same sex couples (and opposite sex couples) living in a civil union are also recognized in the same way as married couples for citizenship applications and when a public servant wants to extend healthcare protection to the partner.

Since 2007, a new Penal Code recognizes same-sex couples regarding; domestic violence, murder of partner, an equal and uniform age of consent at 14, refusal do testify in court against the partner and in all other situations where married couples are referred in the code.

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