Countries of the European Union must recognise a same-sex marriage lawfully concluded anywhere in the bloc, even if their domestic legislation does not provide for it, the European Court of Justice said in a ruling on Tuesday.
Refusing the recognition of a lawful marriage is "contrary to EU law because it infringes that freedom and the right to respect for private and family life", the judges said, and "may cause serious inconvenience at administrative, professional and private levels, forcing the spouses to live as unmarried persons."
