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European Civil Law



Common rules, principles and projects concerning civil law in the European Union

General Part Law of Obligations: general rules Contracts Non contractual obligations Family Law Law of Succession Property law Civil Codes



Warning: a European civil code is not yet a reality; however, while that does not happen, we expose a set of rules within the European Union to govern choice of law in civil and commercial matters


Family Law
Family law is the competence of EU countries, and EU rules apply only in cross-border cases. However, the EU can legislate on family law if there are cross-border implications. A special legislative procedure is in place for such situations: all EU countries have to agree (unanimity) and the European Parliament must be consulted.

Family law info     Conflict of laws - divorce and legal separation    




Recognition of parenthood between Member States - European Commission
https://commission.europa.eu/s...

Parental responsibility, custody and visiting rights after separation - Your Eur
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matter
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/lega...

Parental responsibility - child custody and contact rights - European e-Justice
https://e-justice.europa.eu/30...

EU cross-border parental child abduction - Your Europe
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Parental child abduction - European e-Justice Portal
https://e-justice.europa.eu/30...

Adopting a child from another EU country - requirements and procedures - Your Eu
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Adopting EU law - European Commission
https://commission.europa.eu/l...

European Convention on the Adoption of Children (Revised)
https://rm.coe.int/1680084823...




Civil marriages in the EU: national and cross-border rules - Your Europe
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Family maintenance - European e-Justice Portal
https://e-justice.europa.eu/co...

Unmarried couples (cohabitation) - rights/obligations across Europe - Your Europ
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Legal separation and divorce law across the EU - Your Europe
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Divorce and separation - European Commission
https://commission.europa.eu/s...

Divorce and legal separation - European e-Justice Portal
https://e-justice.europa.eu/45...

How to manage your property regime as an international couple - Your Europe
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Property of international couples (marriages and registered partnerships) - Euro
https://commission.europa.eu/s...

Civil unions and registered partnerships: recognition in different EU countries
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

Cross-border maintenance obligations in the EU - Your Europe
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...

How to get your public documents (birth, marriage certificate) issued in your ho
https://europa.eu/youreurope/c...