Czech Republic updates divorce laws and debates marriage equality

New legislative changes in the Czech Republic are altering family law. As of January 1, 2026, divorce procedures have been simplified for consenting couples. Under the new rules, courts are no longer required to investigate the specific causes of a marriage breakdown, and the previous requirement for couples to have lived apart for at least six months has been removed. However, Radim Neubauer, President of the Notary Chamber, clarified that a formal petition is still required and a court must issue the decision; a purely administrative “divorce by letter” is not yet in effect.

Simultaneously, political debate has resurfaced regarding marriage equality. Members of the STAN party, including Karel Dvořák and Vít Rakušan, are pushing for a legislative proposal to allow same-sex marriage and joint adoption. While the 2025 introduction of “partnership” granted many rights similar to marriage, it excluded the title of marriage and joint adoption. The government coalition remains divided on the issue, with some members maintaining that marriage should remain exclusively between a man and a woman.