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Polish justice ministry warns civil partnerships could be used to circumvent property rules, tax laws

07.01.2025 12:30
Proposed legislation allowing civil partnerships in Poland could be exploited to bypass restrictions on foreign property ownership and avoid certain legal obligations, the Justice Ministry warned on Tuesday, citing concerns reported by the daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
Illustrative picture.
Illustrative picture.Michael Traitov/Shutterstock.com

The draft bills, introduced by Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula, aim to offer civil partnerships the same legal preferences currently reserved for marriage. However, the Justice Ministry’s comments caution that granting such rights to civil partners—such as exemptions from testifying in court or simplified property transactions—may lead to misuse.

The Interior Ministry and Human Rights Ombudsman Marcin Wiącek also expressed doubts, highlighting that the ease of entering and dissolving these unions might encourage couples to form partnerships primarily to gain tax advantages, circumvent farmland purchase limits, or obtain international protection in Poland.

Adam Bodnar’s ministry noted that if short-term partnerships can take advantage of legal benefits traditionally afforded to marriages, it would undermine the fundamental rationale behind such preferences—while also affecting state finances. Proponents of the legislation have not yet formally addressed these concerns.

(jh)

Source: PAP, DGP