Win For Same-Sex Couples in Poland
Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court has ruled that same-sex marriages conducted in EU member states must be recognized, a landmark case for LGBT rights in the traditionally Catholic country.
The landmark decision, which follows a ruling by the top EU court, was applauded in the courtroom, where longtime activists and same-sex couples convened to celebrate.
It concerned the case of Jakub Cupriak-Trojan and his husband, Mateusz Trojan, who were married in Berlin in 2018. When the couple relocated to Poland, however, Warsaw’s Civil Registry refused to recognize their marriage as the Polish constitution does not recognize same-sex marriages.
The EU’s top court ruled in November ruled that same-sex marriages carried out in one state must be recognized throughout the 27-country bloc.
But it was uncertain whether Poland, which has wrestled with the EU several times over LGBTQ rights, would accept such a ruling.
While the Polish constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, Judge Leszek Kirnaszek said it does not prohibit the recognition of marriages concluded in other EU countries.
“EU regulations grant every citizen the right to freedom of movement and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex and sexual orientation,” he said.
However, as the Polish court ruled that marriages to be recognized must have been carried out “abroad, making use of the freedom of movement and residence,” according to the lawyers, it is still uncertain whether the decision covers all same-sex unions, or only those where the couple has lived in another country for an extended period.
Rights organizations estimate that 30,000-40,000 same-sex marriages have been concluded by Polish citizens abroad.
Poland is one of the last European countries not to have legalized same-sex marriages or civil unions, along with Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia.
If You Go
The country has consistently ranked among the worst in Europe for LGBTQ rights, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
Nevertheless, Poland is rapidly emerging as a top-trending travel destination in Europe, driven by its affordability, rich history, safety, and growing popularity in winter tourism.
As of early 2026, it is ranked among Europe’s fastest-growing tourism spots, with a 55% surge in some bookings, offering an authentic alternative to more expensive, crowded destinations.
Top LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Poland are concentrated in major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk, offering inclusive environments, non-discrimination policies, and central locations. Highly rated options include PURO Kraków Kazimierz, PURO Warszawa Centrum, Balthazar Design Hotel in Kraków, Polonia Palace Hotel in Warsaw, and Radisson Hotel & Apartments Gdańsk.
Browse the top LGBTQ-welcoming hotels in Poland here.
