Partnership: Nearly 1,000 Registered Unions in Latvia
As of July 1, Latvia has recorded 925 registered partnerships, one third of which are same-sex couples. The legal framework provides certain social and economic guarantees, but partnership is not equivalent to marriage.
According to the Register of Natural Persons, 925 partnerships have been officially registered in Latvia by July 1 this year. Of these, 314 are same-sex partnerships and 611 are opposite-sex couples. In 30 cases, the partnership was registered based on a court decision.
Out of all registered partnerships, 84 have ended. The most common reason is marriage of one or both partners (42 cases), 26 ended due to the death of a partner, and 16 were terminated by mutual notarial declaration.
Any two adults regardless of gender can enter into a partnership if they share a common household and have a close personal relationship. Registration is carried out by a sworn notary in the form of a notarial deed, and can also be done remotely. A fee and state duty are required for the preparation of the notarial act.
Partners are entitled to personal income tax relief for mutual gifts and loans, and a partner has the right to make decisions regarding the other partner's medical treatment if the latter is unable to care for themselves. Social guarantees and equivalent protection in other EU member states are also provided.
However, the law does not equate partnership with marriage. The partnership institute does not regulate property relations or inheritance rights. Partnership cannot be concluded by persons who are married, close relatives, or those who already have another partnership.
