EU top court told same-sex spouses have residence rights

View of the Romanian parliament in Bucharest: Same-sex marriage is illegal in the country

A senior adviser to the European Union's top court has backed a Romanian gay man's right to have his US husband live with him in Romania.

EU countries should recognise the right of all spouses to residency even if they do not allow gay marriage, according to the advocate general for the European Court of Justice.

Same-sex marriage is not legal in Romania.

Adrian Coman and Clai Hamilton, an American, married in Brussels in 2010.

What is the case about?

EU law permits a non-EU spouse of an EU citizen to join his or her spouse in the member state where the European national resides.

But the Romanian authorities refused a request for a residence permit for Mr Hamilton, saying he could not be recognised as the spouse of an EU citizen because Romanian legislation prohibits marriages between same-sex couples.

The couple challenged the decision, saying it was discriminatory on the grounds of sexual orientation. Romania's constitutional court then referred the case to the European court (ECJ).

What is the advice?

ECJ Advocate General Melchior Wathelet said the term "spouse" included, under the freedom of residence of EU citizens and their family members, spouses of the same sex.

"Although member states are free to authorise marriage between persons of the same sex or not, they may not impede the freedom of residence of an EU citizen by refusing to grant his or her spouse of the same sex, a national of a non-EU country, a right of permanent residence in their territory," he said.

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The term "spouse" under EU law included spouses of the same sex, the ECJ top adviser said

The EU directive on the issue, Mr Wathelet added, made no reference to member state law in order to determine the nature of "spouse".

He said the term referred to a "relationship based on marriage" and was neutral as to the sex of those involved and indifferent as to the place where that marriage was contracted.

What happens next?

The advice is not binding, but judges ruling on cases before the court have generally followed the advocate's lead. ECJ judges will now deliberate in the case.

The ECJ does not decide the dispute itself: the national court or tribunal will make its ruling following the court's decision.

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Where does Europe stand on same-sex unions?

Same-sex marriage is legal in these EU states: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK (excluding Northern Ireland), Malta

Registered partnerships (with similar rights to marriage): Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia

Registered partnership (limited rights): Czech Republic, Estonia

No legislation: Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia

Source: ILGA Europe