The Act also recognizes and defines unregistered same-sex relationships as informal life partners, thus making them equal to registered life partnerships after they have been cohabiting for a minimum of 3 years. Croatia first recognized same-sex couples in through a law on unregistered same-sex unions , which was later replaced by the Life Partnership Act.
The Croatian Parliament passed the new law on 15 July , taking effect in two stages 5 August and 1 September Following a referendum , the Constitution of Croatia has limited marriage to opposite-sex couples.
In , one year after the first Gay Pride in Croatia, the then ruling coalition , consisting of mostly centre-left parties, passed a law on same-sex unions. Initially, the law recognized registered partnerships with most of the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, but the right-wing Croatian Peasant Party , which was the only right-wing party of the coalition, threatened to leave the coalition should they insist on this version of the law.
The law grants same-sex partners who have been cohabiting for at least 3 years similar rights enjoyed by unmarried cohabiting opposite-sex partners in terms of inheritance and financial support, but not the right to adopt children or any other right included in family law.
Registering those relationship is not allowed, nor are rights in terms of tax, joint properties, health insurance, pensions, etc. Medical and psychological professionals did not support these statements, arguing that all members of Parliament have a duty to vote according to the Constitution of Croatia , which bans discrimination.
