VIENNA – Austria is set to introduce new marriage laws that will ban both child and cousin marriages. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer announced that a law to forbid marriage under the age of 18 will be brought forward soon. The idea had been agreed upon by a previous government but was never enforced, reported by 5 Minuten News. Sporrer confirmed that a proposal will be presented during the government’s cabinet meeting next week. She explained that the goal is to protect young people—especially girls—from entering marriage too early and being forced into adult responsibilities before they are ready.
Speaking on national radio, Sporrer said young women should be focusing on their education and future careers, not marriage. When asked why the law was necessary since there were only ten such marriages in 2023, she said laws are meant to set clear rules and reflect values. “It’s important that society knows where we stand,” she said, adding that such bans are standard internationally.
Along with banning marriage under 18, Austria also plans to outlaw marriages between first cousins, which are still legal in the country. This issue will also be discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Minister Claudia Plakolm from the ÖVP party supported the move, saying marriage in Austria should be based on free will, not family pressure or tradition. She stressed that the age limit of 18 will apply without exceptions.
Sporrer also mentioned that the government is working on launching a new Federal Prosecutor’s Office and hopes to present a final plan before summer.
