Italy tilts outdated adoption law: Singles can now adopt children!

Italy tilts outdated adoption law: Singles can now adopt children!

The Italian constitutional court has made a groundbreaking judgment that significantly expands the opportunities for single people to adopt foreign children. In a historical decision of March 22, 2025, a 40 -year -old law that limited adoption to married couples was declared unconstitutional. The judges emphasized that single people are also able to offer a stable and loving environment for needy children. This decision comes at a time when the number of adoption applications for foreign children in Italy is declining, and is in accordance with the demands of adaptation of the adoption laws in order to meet the social changes, as nwb.de reported.

Paolo Lmonta, President of the Italian Association Ciai, who is committed to adoption of foreign children, confirmed the need for this change in the law. He explained that the ban for single people not only endangers the birthright of the children in a harmonious family environment, but also reflected outdated social norms and structures. Political voices, such as those of Alessandro Zan, a leading member of the Partito Democratico, described the judgment as milestone for the rights of minors and demanded immediate changes in the law in parliament to ensure the self -determination of those willing to adopt.

developments in German adoption law

parallel to the developments in Italy, a decision by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of August 11, 2021, which raised important questions about the adult adoption, was discussed in Germany. The BGH rejected the application for adult adoption because the present law demanded that a child can only be accepted jointly by a couple. This provision is intended to avoid stepchild relationships and makes it clear that the adoption usually requires a comprehensive community between the adopters and the child, as can be read in detail in the foundations of the judgment. The court decided that in this special case the adopted person was not entitled to any legal claims or constitutional protection with regard to the desired father-son relationship, since the corresponding application did not meet the necessary conditions.