Legislation regarding partner adoption

Adoption by gay or lesbian couples is allowed since 1 April 2001.
On 1 January 2009, legislation regarding adoption was liberalised. If two women are engaged in a lesbian relationship and one of them gives birth, the partner can promptly submit a request for adoption, irrespective of the type of cohabitation. If the request is submitted prior to the moment of delivery and the court approves, the adoption becomes legal on the day the baby is born. If the request is submitted within six months after the baby is born, the adoption becomes legal on the day the request is submitted.

Other adoptions mainly involve heterosexual couples. Partner adoptions in gay couples are rare.