Yesterday I met up with some friends visiting from Canada and the United States. During our conversation, the question came up: “Is same-sex marriage legal in Monaco?” They were surprised—even shocked—to learn that it is not.
While locals are well aware of the situation, this topic often surfaces with visitors, so I thought it would be useful to break it down and share some recent updates (with a hopefully positive outcome on the horizon).
Cohabitation Agreements: The First Step
Monaco has recognized same-sex cohabitation agreements since 27 June 2020. These agreements, available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, offer limited rights in areas such as inheritance and property but fall far short of full marriage equality.
The journey to this legislation began in the early 2010s, with draft proposals, debates, and amendments that eventually shaped the contrat de vie commune (cohabitation agreement). Signed into law by Prince Albert II in December 2019, it was hailed by many lawmakers as “long overdue,” despite opposition from Catholic officials.
While the agreements provide certain legal protections, they stop short of key rights: partners cannot share a surname, foreign spouses cannot obtain Monegasque citizenship, and the framework does not mirror the full benefits of marriage.
Court Battles Over Recognition of Foreign Marriages
In March 2022, a lower court in Monaco ordered the government to recognize a same-sex marriage legally performed in the United States. The ruling was upheld by an appellate court in 2023, but in March 2024, the Court of Revision—Monaco’s highest court—overturned the decision, confirming that same-sex marriage remains unrecognized.
This legal back-and-forth has highlighted the growing tension between Monaco’s traditional framework and evolving European human rights standards.
Ongoing Developments and Political Signals
In June 2024, the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation, Marina Ceyssac, published a government report recommending that Monaco enhance the rights of same-sex couples in line with European case law, though she stopped short of calling for marriage equality.
That same month, Councilwoman Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo stated she was prepared to push for legislation recognizing foreign same-sex marriages—a potentially significant step forward. Meanwhile, advocacy group Mon’Arc en Ciel, launched in May 2024, is campaigning for full legalization of same-sex marriage.
Religious Context
Monaco’s religious institutions remain divided. The United Protestant Church of France, which has one parish in Monaco, voted in 2015 to allow its pastors to bless same-sex marriages. By contrast, the Catholic Church remains opposed, though in December 2023 the Vatican permitted blessings for same-sex couples, even if not formally recognizing their marriages.
Public Opinion and Outlook
Public opinion data is limited, with the last survey in 2007 showing just over half of native Monegasques in favor of recognizing partnerships. Much has changed since then, however, and momentum is slowly building.
For now, Monaco remains one of the few places in Western Europe where marriage equality is not recognized—but ongoing legal challenges, political debate, and social change suggest that this story is far from over.
