Austria is set to ban marriages under the age of 18 and outlaw unions between close relatives, including cousins, starting August 2025, as reported by dfferent News outlets. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer announced the long-anticipated reform on Wednesday, emphasizing that the changes aim to protect minors from premature commitments and familial pressure.
Under the new proposal, individuals will only be allowed to marry or enter a registered partnership once they turn 18. Current laws permit 16- and 17-year-olds to marry if a court deems them mature enough and if a parent or legal guardian consents. These exceptions will be abolished. Courts will no longer be allowed to override a parent’s refusal, and the practice of declaring minors “fit for marriage” will end.
Sporrer argued that the earlier a person marries, the more likely that decision was made under emotional or social pressure, particularly from family. She stressed that youth between 16 and 18 should be focused on education or training rather than legal commitments like marriage. She also noted that teenage pregnancies should no longer be used as justification for marriage, especially in relationships that may not be stable or voluntary.
The law will also prohibit marriages between close relatives up to the fourth degree, effectively banning marriages between cousins, uncles and nieces. Prosecutors will also regain the authority to challenge and nullify marriages or partnerships involving underage individuals.
Sporrer’s office referenced UNICEF’s definition of child marriage as any formal union involving someone under 18, noting that such marriages are still technically allowed in Austria. The reform aligns with global efforts to end child marriage by 2030 and aims to reinforce young people’s rights.
Family Minister Claudia Plakolm described the reform as a “crucial step,” particularly in blocking forced marriages carried out under traditional or religious customs abroad. NEOS party leader Yannick Shetty emphasized that while the number of cases may be low—only ten were recorded in 2023—the impact on those affected is life-changing. “A 16-year-old girl belongs in school, not at the registry office,” he said.
Sporrer dismissed concerns that the law was merely symbolic, stating that it sends a clear message: this is Austria’s societal stance.
