Sweden bans marriages between cousins, close relatives in fresh law
Sweden’s parliament has unanimously approved a law banning marriage between cousins and several other close relatives, with the new rules set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
The legislation introduces an unconditional prohibition on cousin marriages and stipulates that Sweden will generally no longer recognise such unions contracted abroad, according to Sweden Herald.
Lawmakers say the reform is aimed at strengthening protections against honour-related oppression, violence and social pressure, particularly in cases where family control and coercion affect vulnerable individuals.
Beyond banning cousin marriages, the law expands prohibited unions to include relationships where one person is directly descended from the other’s siblings, effectively blocking marriages that bridge certain generational family lines viewed as problematic by legislators.
