Where Can Same-Sex Couples Legally Marry Abroad?

This guide covers where same-sex marriage is legal as of October 2026, how eligibility for non-resident couples tends to work, and how to plan around the gaps. Laws change, so confirm details with the relevant government office before you commit. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

How Many Countries Allow Same-Sex Marriage?

The Netherlands was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage, in 2001. Today, roughly 38 countries perform and recognise same-sex marriage, and Thailand was the most recent to extend full marriage rights, when its law took effect in January 2025. For the full jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction picture, Wikipedia’s legal status of same-sex marriage page is a useful reference.

Counts vary depending on whether a source includes territories, partially recognised regions, or laws passed but not yet in force. Treat any list as a starting point.

Same Sex Marriage by Country: The Current List

Europe

Europe has the largest concentration of marriage-equality countries, with many dating back more than a decade. Same-sex couples can legally marry in:

• Andorra

• Austria

• Belgium

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Liechtenstein

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• the Netherlands

• Norway

• Portugal

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• The United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)

Greece is a landmark case. In 2024, it became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage, and couples should confirm non-resident requirements with the local municipality. Our guide to Greece weddings covers Santorini, Mykonos and the Athens Riviera.

The Americas

Marriage equality has expanded steadily across the Americas. Same-sex couples can legally marry in:

• Argentina

• Brazil

• Canada

• Chile

• Colombia

• Costa Rica

• Cuba

• Ecuador

• Mexico

• The United States

• Uruguay

Mexico is especially notable for destination couples. Marriage is legal nationwide, though local procedures differ, so ask your planner or the state civil registry what a non-resident needs. Beach and jungle destinations such as Tulum and Los Cabos are covered in our Mexico destination guide.

Asia-Pacific

Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand all allow same-sex marriage. Taiwan was the first jurisdiction in Asia to do so, in 2019, followed by Thailand in January 2025. Japan remains an outlier: courts have weighed in, but same-sex marriage isn’t legal nationwide.

Africa

South Africa has allowed same-sex marriage since 2006 and is still the only African country that does. It’s a spectacular destination, though marriage officers may decline to officiate on grounds of conscience, so confirm local procedures in advance.

“Legal” Doesn’t Always Mean “Open to Visitors”

A country can have marriage equality and still make it difficult for foreign couples to marry there. Requirements generally fall into three groups.

Open to non-resident couples. Some countries let visitors marry with little more than the right documents and a short notice period. Denmark is the clearest example, with no residency requirement. Rules vary widely elsewhere, so confirm each country’s requirements for non-resident couples before you plan.

Residency or citizenship required. Many countries, including several in Western and Northern Europe, expect at least one partner to be a citizen or to have lived there for a set period. If you can’t meet that, you can’t marry there, no matter how beautiful the venue.

Cross-border rules. Some places, such as Taiwan, route marriage through household registration, which mainly serves residents and couples where one partner is Taiwanese rather than two visitors. Check how each country treats foreign couples before you plan.

In every case, confirm requirements with the destination’s civil registry, local municipality or embassy.

Countries With Civil Unions, Not Marriage

Some popular wedding destinations recognise same-sex couples without offering full marriage. Italy is the best-known example. Couples can enter a civil union, but this isn’t the same as marriage, and recognition elsewhere may differ. Czechia has also long offered registered partnerships rather than marriage.

If you’re set on an Italian villa, you still have options, which we cover below. Browse our Italy destination page for Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and Puglia.

Where Same-Sex Marriage Is Not Legal, and Safety Considerations

Many countries don’t recognise same-sex marriage, and in a number of them same-sex relationships are criminalised. Travelling as a couple there, even just for a honeymoon, can carry real risk. Before booking any trip, check your government’s travel advisory for the destination (for US travellers, travel.state.gov is the place to start) and review ILGA World research on local laws.

Legal status isn’t the same as day-to-day safety, either. Some countries without marriage equality are broadly welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, while a few with legal protections have pockets of hostility. Research your specific region, resort and vendors.

Will Your Marriage Be Recognised at Home?

A marriage that’s valid where you were married is generally recognised in countries with marriage equality, but not everywhere. If you live in a country that doesn’t allow same-sex marriage, your foreign marriage may or may not be recognised, which can affect taxes, immigration, inheritance, parenting rights and next-of-kin decisions.

Before you marry abroad, consider these questions:

• Will my home country, or the country I plan to live in, recognise a marriage performed overseas?

• Do I need an apostille or certified translation of my marriage certificate?

• Will I need an immigration or family lawyer to confirm how this affects visas or residency?

A lawyer who specialises in international family law can answer these for your situation. Don’t leave it until after the ceremony.

Paperwork You’ll Likely Need

Requirements differ widely, but most countries that accept foreign couples ask for some combination of the following documents and conditions:

• Valid passports

• Birth certificates, often recently issued and sometimes with an apostille

• Proof you’re legally free to marry, such as a certificate of no impediment, or divorce or death certificates for previous marriages

• Certified translations if documents aren’t in the local language

• A notice period or minimum stay before the ceremony

• Witnesses, sometimes supplied by the officiant or venue

Start gathering documents at least six to nine months ahead, as apostilles and translations can take longer than expected. Confirm the country’s rules before you book the venue.

The Popular Workaround: Marry Legally Elsewhere, Celebrate Anywhere

Many couples separate the legal marriage from the celebration, which opens up almost any destination:

1. Marry legally at home, or in a country that welcomes visiting couples, in a short civil ceremony.

2. Hold a ceremony and celebration abroad with your family and friends, in a setting that feels like you.

Many of our couples take this route, and our Wedded Advisors can coordinate paperwork with celebrants and lawyers in our network alongside your celebration. If you’d like help, speak with a Wedded concierge. Your first conversation is complimentary.

This also works for couples who want a symbolic ceremony in a country that doesn’t offer marriage. A symbolic ceremony has no legal weight, so arrange your legal status separately.

How to Choose Your Destination

Work through these steps to narrow down your options:

1. Confirm legal eligibility. Check whether the country allows non-resident same-sex couples to marry, and what documents you’ll need.

2. Check safety and welcome. Review travel advisories, local attitudes and how LGBTQ+-friendly your specific region and vendors are.

3. Consider recognition at home. Make sure your marriage will be valid where you live.

4. Then choose the setting. Browse destinations, venues and vendors that fit your style, guest count and budget.

Our destination wedding guide walks through timelines, budgeting and planning, and our free Wonderland Studio tools can help you organise guest lists, RSVPs and your wedding website once you’ve chosen a location. For the honeymoon, explore honeymoon packages.

Choosing LGBTQ+-Friendly Vendors

Legal eligibility is only part of the picture. You also want a planner, photographer, florist and venue team who are comfortable and enthusiastic about your celebration. Ask vendors directly whether they’ve worked with same-sex couples, request examples of previous weddings, and pay attention to how they respond to your questions. A good vendor will welcome the conversation.

Final Thoughts

The map of same-sex marriage by country is wider than ever, with dozens of countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa now allowing it, though not all are open to visiting couples. The key is to check the legal details first, and remember that the celebration itself can happen wherever feels right to you.

When you’re ready to turn the legal groundwork into a celebration that’s entirely yours, speak with a Wedded Advisor to find the right destination, venue and team.