Paris has always been the City of Love, but since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013, Paris’s identity as the romance capital of the world is truly cemented. This Pride Month, we want to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and illuminate the rights LGBTQ+ people have in France. From marriage and adoption rights to healthcare access, France is an incredibly accommodating country for the LGBTQ+ community.
Same-Sex Marriage in France
Even before same-sex marriage was legalized in 2013, France was still a leader in accepting LGBTQ+ couples and relationships. Homosexuality was actually decriminalized in France in 1791, although since then it has not always been smooth sailing. Many different movements and parties have tried to oppress gay and LGBTQ+ rights in France, and all have been met with strong opposition resulting in reform.
Now, same-sex marriage is not only legal, but widely accepted throughout France.
Marriage vs. PACS – What’s the difference?
Before same-sex marriage was legalized, LGBTQ+ couples in France still had the right to become a legally recognized civil union through PACS. PACS is an acronym meaning Pacte Civile de Solidarité, and it was created in 1999. Before the legalization of gay marriage, an average of 5,762 gay couples became “PACS-ed” every year. The option to become married has not replaced the option to become PACS, and many couples still pursue this for a variety of reasons.
Here is an overview of some of the main differences between marriages and PACS in France:
| Marriage | PACS | |
| Can you take your partner’s last name? | Yes | No |
| Can you benefit from life-insurance policies/be named as a beneficiary in your partner’s will? | Yes | Yes, but it must be specified in your will that your property goes to your partner. The surviving partner would be exempt from inheritance tax – like a married couple. |
| Can you qualify for survivors pension? | Yes | No |
| Can you file taxes together? | Yes | Yes |
| Do you share debt? | Depends on your situation/agreement | No |
| Can you buy property together? | Yes | Yes, but it is a bit more complicated |
| Can an EU resident give their partner (Non-EU) the right to residency in France? | Yes | Yes, but it is more complicated |
Have more questions about whether marriage or PACS is right for you? You can complete this simulation from the French government’s website and see the differences between living together, becoming PACS, and getting married based on your situation!
Getting Your Marriage Recognized in France
Getting your marriage recognized in France is important for expat couples for a variety of reasons including getting visas, setting up joint bank accounts, registering with public and private healthcare, and more.
Here is how you can get your marriage recognized in France:
- Get an Apostille on your marriage certificate – In countries that are a part of the Hague Convention (like the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and more) you’ll first need to get an Apostille. An Apostille basically is a stamp from your government certifying that it is allowed to be used internationally.
- Get your marriage certificate translated – It is crucial that your marriage certificate is translated by a sworn translator so that it can be recognized in the French courts.
- Use it as needed! – You can use this translated marriage certificate for any administrative processes in France
- Optional: Register with the French Civil Registry – Registering with the French Civil Registry allows you to get a livret de famille, which can be very useful if one spouse is French. A livret de famille is essentially a record of family events such as marriages, births, deaths, divorces, and more. This is essential if you are planning on staying in France long-term, are hoping to get residency through your EU spouse, or are planning on adopting/having children in France.
Adoption Rights for LGBTQ+ Couples in France
Couples in PACs, whether straight or not, are not able to adopt. This, of course, was incredibly limiting to same-sex couples pre-2013. However, thanks to the ‘Mariage pour tous‘ law, married same-sex couples can now adopt children. As long as the married couple has been married for over two years or each person is over 28 years old, they are eligible for simple adoption.
While it is possible, the stats of same-sex couples adopting children in France remains low. In fact, the Association of Gay and Lesbian Parents (APGL) estimated that only approximately 200 same-sex couples have adopted children since 2013. While this number is astonishingly low, it’s important to not lose hope! We recommend connecting with an international adoption lawyer to understand the legalities surrounding your specific situation.
Gender-Affirming Healthcare in France
Gender-affirming healthcare is a huge part of LGBTQ+ rights, and thankfully France is a leader in this regard. France’s healthcare is incredibly varied and accessible, offering many low-cost or free services for trans and queer folks.
France is renowned for its universal healthcare, and once you have your social security card, you have access to the French medical system! Additionally, gender-affirming procedures are free in France. So, the largest hurdle is actually procuring your CPAM and Carte Vitale. That is what we’re here for!
Make sure you register with a general practitioner that you trust. It’s also important that once you have your CPAM, you find your own general practitioner in order to receive the gender-affirming services you need. GPs will be able to prescribe medicine, hormones, PrEP, and more, all of which are part of LGBTQ+ rights in France. You can find a list of trans-friendly GPs through out France here.
If you’re having difficulties securing a GP or an appointment with your GP, there are always centers or organizations that provide services. You can see more about free vaccinations and HIV Testing in our resources down below!
France is full of resources and medical professionals that are sure to get you the care you need and have the right to.
What is CPAM?
CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) is the health insurance office in France. It manages and administer public health insurance (la Sécurité Sociale) for all residents. CPAM covers 65-70% of medical costs, and they process these reimbursement claims through different documentation. Reimbursements are made simpler with the Carte Vitale which CPAM issues.
What is a Carte Vitale?
The Carte Vitale is just the French public health insurance card. After registering for CPAM, you’ll receive the Carte Vitale after a few months. With this card, you’ll be able to pay for your consultations and get reimbursements quickly. Once you have your Carte Vitale, dealing with the healthcare system is smooth-sailing!
How do I get my Carte Vitale?
Getting your Carte Vitale is infamously difficult, and can take months, or even years to get if you are not familiar with the process. Here at Your Friend in Paris, our experts are ready to help you get your Carte Vitale as fast as possible! Curious about how we can help you?
Is France LGBTQ+ Friendly?
As you may have suspected, France generally has a laissez faire attitude about love and sexuality. This isn’t to say that French revolutionists were celebrating Pride Month, but France has historically been progressive in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. While there is still a ways to go for true equality worldwide, France is absolutely a safe country to be your true self-no matter who you love!
Make Paris Your Home
Ready to make Paris your home? We’re ready to help you!
We offer a variety of services to make your relocation smooth. From finding your new home, to getting your visa, to even setting up a bank account in France – out team of experts is here to handle it all. Ready to make your Parisian dreams come true?
Health Resources for LGBTQ+ People in France
- Map of trans-friendly doctors in France
- Map of Trans-organizations in France
- Your local CeGIDD (Les Centres gratuits d’information, de dépistage et de diagnostic) provides free HIV and STD testing (get there early to avoid long lines!)
- Le Checkpoint Paris is a sexual heath center that offers many services for LGBTQ+ people
- Le Planning Familial is the French version of Planned Parenthood
- Queers Beyond Borders is an organization that specializes in aiding LGBTQ+ expats in settling into their new country
LGBTQ+ Expat Facebook Groups
- Lesbian and Bi Expats in Paris and Suburbs
- Bears & Friends Retiring in Europe
- LGBTQ+ Expats in France
- LGBTQ+ English Speakers in France
LGBTQ+ Communities and Groups in Paris
- Centre LGBTQI+ de Paris et île de France
- Paris Front Runners – LGBTQ+ running group in Paris
- BK Paris Softball Club – A softball group against discrimination
- Balad’Loisirs – LGBTQ+ hiking and biking group
- Les Mots a la Bouche – LGBTQ+ and queer bookstore in Paris
For more LGBTQ+ groups, check out the Centre LGBTQI+’s list of members.