Same-sex marriage in Belgium Same-sex marriage in Belgium On 1 June 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands. "Statutory cohabitation", open to any two legally consenting cohabiting persons, is also possible since 1 January 2000. In 1995, a bill was introduced in Parliament to provide for a legal framework of "cohabitation agreements". It was mostly intended as a response to the lowering marriage rates, rather than giving rights to same-sex couples. In 1998, the bill was changed to "statutory cohabitation" (; ; ) and finally voted on. The Chamber of Representatives approved it by a
Recognition of same-sex unions in Estonia Recognition of same-sex unions in Estonia Estonia has recognised same-sex unions since January 1, 2016 by allowing same-sex couples to sign a cohabitation agreement (), the first ex-Soviet state to do so. In addition, following a December 2016 court ruling, same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognised in Estonia. In November 2017, the Tallinn Circuit Court ruled that this recognition did not necessarily confer residency rights. However, in September 2018, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, another Estonian court ruled that it does. In December 2005, the launch of a new family law bill by the Estonian Ministry