With the adoption of the law allowing same-sex marriage, Belgium has joined other European countries where marriages among people of non-traditional orientation have long been permitted. For example, in Denmark such a possibility has existed since 1989 (in that country, same-sex spouses also have the right to adopt children). In Germany, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, and France, the doors of registry offices are also open to homosexuals and lesbians.
Under the new law, homosexual couples will have the same rights in matters of property and inheritance as ordinary married couples. An important restriction is the prohibition for homosexual couples to adopt children. The law also stipulates that if a child is born into a lesbian family, its biological mother will be considered its only parent.