Italy court grants equal parental rights to lesbian mothers

On May 22, 2025, Italy’s Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling allowing both women in a same-sex couple to be automatically recognized as legal parents of a child conceived through IVF abroad. The decision eliminates the need for separate court proceedings or adoption to establish the parental status of the non-biological mother.

Previously, under Italian law, only the biological mother was granted legal parenthood, while her partner was required to undergo a complex and often lengthy adoption process. The court found that such a requirement violated constitutional principles of equality, personal identity, and the child’s right to emotional and legal security from both parents.

The ruling was hailed as a major victory by LGBTQ+ rights organizations. The advocacy group Rainbow Families called it “a historic day for civil rights in Italy,” emphasizing that children of same-sex couples will now benefit from full legal recognition of both parents from birth.

Legal experts expect the ruling to set a binding precedent that will influence other aspects of Italian family law involving non-traditional parental structures. The government has yet to issue a formal legislative response, but political and social reactions across the country have been swift.