Philippines
In the government of the Philippines, where more than 80% of the population is Catholic, a bill allowing divorce was passed in 2018. As BBC notes, it has not yet come into force and still faces strong opposition from opponents of marriage dissolution.
Switzerland
The divorce process in Switzerland varies depending on the canton (local territorial district). To divorce, one of the spouses must be a resident of the country and have lived on its territory for at least one year.
If the divorce is by mutual consent without disputes over child custody and division of common property, the relevant document can be obtained two months after filing an application with the local court. No reasons for the dissolution of marriage are required for this.
A unilateral divorce, without the application of the second spouse, is possible if the couple has been living separately (i.e., not at the same address) for more than two years. This period may be reduced in special cases, such as when domestic violence has been documented.
Portugal
Since 2008, getting a divorce in Portugal has become much easier than before. If both spouses agree to the divorce and its terms, they simply need to send an electronic request to the relevant administrative institution without additional explanations.
In some cases, when the couple has no children, joint property, or a common address, the divorce certificate can be obtained within an hour.
Poland
The divorce process in Poland takes place only in court and is carried out in several stages. By law, a couple can divorce by proving that the spouses no longer have spiritual and physical intimacy.
However, the court may refuse to dissolve the marriage if it would harm the couple's minor children or if the divorce itself contradicts social norms.
Malta
Divorce was only allowed in Malta in 2011 as a result of a referendum in which 53% of the population voted in favor.
Today, a couple that has not lived together for at least four years can file for divorce. The court must also ensure that the restoration of family relations is impossible.
Norway
According to the Norwegian Marriage Act of 2007, each spouse may request a legal separation and, after one year, obtain a full divorce based on the impossibility of continuing cohabitation.
Separate living of the couple for two years is also sufficient for divorce.
Italy
Divorce has been allowed in Italy since 1970. Since 2015, in most cases, a divorce certificate can be obtained only after the couple's official separation, which must last at least six months before the divorce.
In rare cases, such as a criminal offense, divorce abroad, or gender change of one spouse, a divorce application can be filed immediately.
Ireland
Divorce became possible in Ireland only in 1995 after a second referendum on the issue. The corresponding amendment to the 1937 constitution was passed by a slim margin of 0.3% in the popular vote.
Today, only spouses who have not lived together for at least four of the five years preceding their application can obtain a divorce.
Chile
Divorce became possible in Chile in 2004. Before that, couples who wanted to separate had to annul their own marriage by claiming that one of the spouses had lied, thereby violating the marriage license and, consequently, the marriage contract.
By mutual consent, people can divorce if they have not lived together for more than one year. In cases where only one spouse requests the dissolution, they must prove that they have not been in a relationship for more than three years.
France
The first law on divorce was adopted in France as a result of the revolution in 1792. After the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, the Catholic Church banned divorces until 1884, when spouses were again allowed to officially separate, but only due to the fault of one spouse, for example, adultery.
Modern legislation allows couples to divorce without any explanations. They are required only if one of the spouses opposes the dissolution of the marriage.
When both spouses agree to the divorce and its terms, the process typically takes three to six months. Sometimes just 30 days is enough.
Russia
The Family Code of Russia, in ordinary cases, does not consider the reasons for divorce and does not attempt to further influence the restoration of family relations. If both spouses agree to the divorce and have no minor children, they can file an application with the civil registry office at their place of residence and, as a rule, receive a divorce certificate in a month.
A unilateral divorce is possible if the court recognizes one of the spouses as missing or incapacitated. A sufficient reason for divorce without the consent of the second partner is also their imprisonment for a term of more than three years.