Marriage ban at 18: Federal government protects young people from pressure!

Marriage ban at 18: Federal government protects young people from pressure!

The Austrian federal government decided on May 28, 2025 a comprehensive ban on marriage for minors under the age of 18 and for related marriages. This law should come into force in August 2025 and stipulates that marriages and registered partnerships may only be closed from the age of 18. This reported Vol.at

The ban on marriage is aimed especially at people between the ages of 16 and 18. It should ensure that these young people can concentrate on their school and vocational training instead of being pushed into marital obligations prematurely. Especially the high number of teenage pregnancies, which are often used as a motivation for marriage decisions, is considered harmful to the development of young people, so Weekend.at .

In addition, the problem of early bonds, which are often associated with pressure and compulsion, is addressed. The pressure on young people, especially in girls who are considered less valuable than boys, is an important topic in this context. The marriage age for girls is often determined by traditional role models, so that they are already considered ready for marriage at the beginning of puberty.

ban on related marriages

Another essential aspect of the new law is the ban on related marriages to the fourth degree, this includes connections such as marriage between cousin or between uncle and niece. The public prosecutor will also be entitled to complain about the nullity of such marriages that are nevertheless concluded with bypass the new regulations.

The change in the law is based on the UNICEF definition of children's marriages and international development goals that strive for an end to children's marriages until 2030. The law receives political support from the parties SPÖ, ÖVP and Neos.

In a global perspective, child, early and forced seeing are closely related to gender discrimination and patriarchal structures. Girls who are often under such pressure are often married to protect the supposed “honor” of their family. According to Plan International this leads to a reduction in educational and development opportunities for girls, since they can often no longer go to school after marriage.