Monaco has taken another significant step in its gradual evolution toward recognizing same-sex relationships, with growing legal and political momentum behind civil unions, even as full marriage equality remains off the table.
For decades, the Principality has been viewed as one of Western Europe’s most socially conservative jurisdictions. While Monaco decriminalized homosexuality in 2007, legal protections and family rights have lagged behind many of its European neighbours. The debate over civil unions has become one of the country’s most important social reforms in recent years.
A Monaco Version of a Civil Union
The proposed Contrat de Vie Commune (CVC)—often described as Monaco’s equivalent of France’s PACS—is designed to provide legal recognition for unmarried couples, including same-sex couples.
Under the legislation:
Two adults may enter into a civil union by signing a declaration before a notary.
At least one partner must either be a Monégasque citizen or legally reside in Monaco.
The agreement can be dissolved through marriage, death, or a joint or unilateral declaration.
Partners gain a number of legal protections and obligations relating to their shared life together.
Unlike marriage, however, the CVC does not provide complete equality with heterosexual married couples.
An Unusual Compromise
One of the most distinctive aspects of Monaco’s legislation is that it also allows certain family members living together—such as siblings or a parent and adult child—to enter into a separate civil solidarity contract for practical and financial reasons.
This provision emerged after discussions with the Catholic Church, which argued that legal recognition should not be limited solely to romantic relationships but should also acknowledge relatives who share a household and provide mutual support.
The compromise reflected Monaco’s unique political culture, where the Catholic faith remains the state religion and often plays a consultative role in major social legislation.
Years of Political Debate
The journey toward legal recognition was lengthy.
A proposal for a civil union was first introduced in 2013.
Monaco’s National Council unanimously approved the proposal in 2016.
After negotiations and amendments, the law creating civil solidarity contracts was unanimously adopted in December 2019.
The unanimous vote was widely regarded as a historic moment, providing legal recognition to same-sex couples for the first time in Monaco’s history.
Progress—But Not Equality
While many welcomed the legislation as a major breakthrough, LGBT advocacy organizations and European human rights bodies continue to argue that Monaco remains well behind much of Europe.
Today:
Same-sex marriage is still not legal in Monaco.
Same-sex couples do not enjoy all of the legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.
Issues surrounding inheritance, survivor pensions and other social protections continue to generate legal disputes and calls for reform.
The newly formed LGBT advocacy association Mon’Arc en Ciel has highlighted a number of practical examples where same-sex couples remain disadvantaged under current Monégasque law and continues to advocate for broader legal equality.
A Carefully Measured Evolution
Rather than embracing sweeping social reform, Monaco has followed its traditional approach of incremental change.
The creation of civil unions represents official recognition that same-sex couples deserve legal protection and acknowledgment by the state, while stopping short of redefining marriage itself. It reflects Monaco’s effort to balance modern legal expectations with its conservative traditions and constitutional identity.
Whether the Principality eventually moves toward full marriage equality remains uncertain. However, the introduction of civil solidarity contracts marked one of the most significant milestones in the history of LGBT rights in Monaco and established a legal framework that was unimaginable only a generation ago.
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