On July 2, 2005, Law 13/2005 amending the Civil Code on marriage was passed, allowing same-sex marriage under the same conditions and with the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Law 13/2005 reforms the Civil Code regarding the right to marry. Specifically, this reform adds a second paragraph to the current Article 44 of the Civil Code, leaving the first paragraph intact: "Marriage shall have the same requirements and effects when both parties are of the same or different sexes." The remaining amendments to the Civil Code made by Law 13/2005 aim to replace the terms "husband and wife" with "spouses," and "father and mother" with "parents."
As a result of this reform, two women or two men can marry, and that marriage has the same nature, requirements, and effects as those contracted by a woman and a man. These effects extend to all matters in which marriage is relevant: inheritance law, residence rights, adoption of the spouse's children, tax effects, the right not to testify against one's spouse, alimony, separation, divorce, etc.
Spain was the third country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands and Belgium. Today, same-sex marriage is legal in 39 countries.
The passage of this law has made Spain, over the past few decades, a benchmark for the advancement of civil rights for the LGBTI+ community, becoming an international example.
Since then, by the end of 2024, 40,397 marriages between men and 35,164 between women have been celebrated.
Today, 20 years later, we highlight the work carried out by activists and institutions to open marriage to the LGBTI+ community, recognizing their full citizenship in this regard. We also celebrate the fact that Spanish society is inclusive and respectful of diversity, based on the conviction that inclusive, egalitarian, supportive, and tolerant societies are also stronger and more resilient.
Correos joins the celebration of this 20th anniversary by issuing a block of papers showing the historic photograph of the guest gallery of the Congress of Deputies at the time of the Law's approval. It also includes a stamp shaped like a flag and featuring the colors of the LGBTI flag, depicting two symbolic wedding rings.
