As of January 2009 same-sex couples in Hungary may register their civil partnership and have the same rights as married heterosexual couples in inheritance, taxation and other financial matters. Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)
Hungary's parliament gave the green light to legalizing the status of same-sex couples.
Same-sex couples may register their civil partnership and have the same rights as married heterosexual couples in inheritance, taxation and other financial matters, the MPs decided.
But they will not be allowed to adopt children, unlike married couples.
The law passed with 185 votes in favor, 154 against and 9 abstentions. It will take effect as of January 2009.
Lawmakers in Hungary are following in the steps of the Czech Republic and Slovenia, which allowed same-sex partnerships to be registered as early as last year.
None of the former communist states however allow gay marriages.