The law that came into force on Monday allows same-sex couples to register their partnership.
The law recognizes same-sex couples for the first time in the country’s law.
According to the law, registered couples receive, for example, tax and social security benefits. However, the law does not entitle couples to, for example, adoption.
The change in the country’s attitudes towards sexual minorities has been rapid. Latvian lawmakers banned gay and lesbian marriage in 2005 at the suggestion of right-wing and populist politicians.
Last year, the country made history when Edgars Rinkevics was elected president of Latvia as the EU’s first openly homosexual head of state.
Among the Baltic countries, Estonia has recognized same-sex civil unions since 2016 and same-sex marriages since 2023. Lithuania does not allow either.