Divorce and legal separation

National information concerning Regulation No. 1259/2010

General information

The European Union has set itself the objective of developing an area of freedom, security and justice, by adopting measures relating to judicial cooperation in civil matters having cross-border implications. At the same time, increasing the mobility of citizens within the internal market calls for more flexibility and greater legal certainty.

Council Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 of 20 December 2010 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (called Rome III Regulation) provides citizens with appropriate outcomes in terms of legal certainty, predictability and flexibility, protects weaker partners during divorce disputes and prevents 'forum shopping'. This also helps avoiding complicated, lengthy and painful proceedings.

More specifically, Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 allows international couples to agree in advance which law would apply to their divorce or legal separation as long as the agreed law is the law of the Member State with which they have a closer connection. In case the couple cannot agree, the judges can use a common formula for deciding which country's law applies.

This Regulation does not, on the other hand, apply to the following matters: the legal capacity of natural persons; the existence, validity and recognition of a marriage; the annulment of a marriage; the name of the spouses; the property consequences of the marriage; parental responsibility; maintenance obligation and trusts and successions. It also does not affect the application of Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility.

It is an instrument implementing enhanced cooperation between the participating Member States. The enhanced cooperation allows a group of at least nine Member States to implement measures in one of the areas covered by the Treaties within the framework of the Union’s non-exclusive competences. According to Article 331 TFEU, the non-participating Member States keep the right to join the established enhanced cooperation in progress.

The European e-Justice Portal provides you with information concerning the application of the Regulation.

Enhanced Cooperation

On 12 July 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/405/EU authorizing enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation between Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia.

As a consequence, the mentioned 14 participating Member States adopted Council Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010, which became applicable on 21 June 2012.

On 21 November 2012, the Commission adopted Decision 2012/714/EU confirming the participation of Lithuania in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation. That Decision foresees that Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 shall apply to Lithuania from 22 May 2014.

On 27 January 2014, the Commission adopted Decision 2014/39/EU confirming the participation of Greece in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation. That Decision foresees that Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 shall apply to Greece from 29 July 2015.

On 10 August 2016, the Commission adopted Decision (EU) No 2016/1366 confirming the participation of Estonia in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation. That Decision foresees that Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 shall apply to Estonia from 11 February 2018.

Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.

Related link

ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)

Last update: 09/10/2020

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Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Belgium

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Belgian legislation does not lay down any specific formal requirements for agreements on the choice of applicable law in accordance with Article 7(2) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

With regard to the rules on the choice of applicable law, the third paragraph of Article 55, § 2, of the Belgian Code of Private International Law (Wetboek van internationaal privaatrecht/Code de droit international privé) provides that the choice must be expressed at the first appearance (Act on the Code of Private International Law of 16 July 2004, Belgisch Staatsblad/Moniteur belge of 27 July 2004, which entered into force on 1 October 2004).

Last update: 28/02/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Germany

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

According to German law (Article 46(e)(1) EGBGB) a choice-of-law agreement pursuant to Article 7(2) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 is to be recorded in a notarial act. Article 127(a) of the Civil Code applies mutatis mutandis.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

According to German law (Article 46(e)(2) EGBGB), the spouses can choose the applicable law pursuant to Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 up to the conclusion of the hearing at first instance.

Last update: 14/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Estonia

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Under Section 641(2) and (3) of theFamily Law Act, spouses may enter into an agreement on the law applicable to the divorce corresponding to Council Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 in person in a notarially authenticated form, or the entry into such judicial proceedings may be recorded as a substitute for the notarially authenticated form.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Under Section 641(4) of the Family Law Act, spouses may enter into and amend the agreements specified at any time until a petition for divorce is accepted by a notary or in judicial proceedings until the conclusion of preliminary proceedings or the expiry of the deadline for applications in written procedure.

Last update: 29/03/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Greece

Following a statement from Greece on this issue, the European Commission, in its Decision of 27.1.2014 (OJ L 23, p. 41), confirmed the participation of Greece in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation, which is established by Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 ('Rome ΙΙΙ').

Under the above Decision, Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 applies in Greece as of 29 July 2015.


Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

In Greek law there are no specific national provisions concerning the formal requirements that apply to agreements on the choice of applicable law pursuant to Article 7(2) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

In Greek law there are no specific national provisions concerning the possibility of designating the applicable law in accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Last update: 01/12/2020

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Spain

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Spanish law lays down additional formal requirements for agreements on the choice of applicable law in accordance with Articles 7(2) to 7(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010, namely that the choice of applicable law must be agreed upon in an authentic instrument before a notary public or in an authentic document, which must be clearly and unmistakeably dated and signed by the parties, even if the document itself is not a notarial act.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Under Spanish law, the spouses may not designate the applicable law before the court during the proceedings.

Last update: 26/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - France

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

The EU Regulation lays down three formal requirements that must be met if an agreement on the choice of law is to be valid: the agreement must be in writing, it must be dated, and it must be signed by the parties.

The Regulation also gives states the right to lay down additional formal requirements and clarifies how such rules are to be applied depending on the situation of the spouses.

There are no provisions in French law regarding the formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of law in divorce or legal separation cases. Consequently, France has not made a declaration under Article 17(1)(a).

If they so wish, therefore, the spouses can choose to seek professional help from the person they believe is best placed to advise them.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

The Regulation states that an agreement between the spouses choosing the law applicable to a divorce or legal separation may be concluded and modified at any time, but at the latest at the time a court is seized.

However, if the law of the forum so provides, the applicable law can also be designated by the spouses before the court during the proceedings (Article 5(2) and (3)).

This option is not expressly provided for in French law. This explains why France has not made a declaration under Article 17(1)(b).

Last update: 09/06/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Latvia

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Latvian law lays down no additional formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of law, other than those referred to in Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Latvian law does not provide for the possibility of designating the applicable law before the court in the course of the proceedings.

Last update: 19/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Lithuania

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Lithuanian national law does not lay down additional formal requirements for agreements on the law applicable to divorce and legal separation.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Lithuanian national law does not provide for the possibility of designating the law applicable to divorce and legal separation before the court during the course of the proceedings.

Last update: 07/04/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Luxembourg

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

No additional formal requirements are currently in place in Luxembourg.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

In Luxembourg, it is not possible to designate the applicable law before the court during the proceedings.

Last update: 03/11/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Hungary

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

No further formal requirements apply to agreements on the choice of applicable law other than those provided for in Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

The latest time spouses can choose the applicable law is at the trial preparation stage, within the deadline set by the court.

Last update: 03/04/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Austria

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Austrian Law provides no additional formal requirements for a choice-of-law agreement pursuant to Article 7(2) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

According to Austrian Law (§ 11(3) IPRG), the spouses can choose the applicable law pursuant to Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 also before the court during the course of the proceedings, provided that the choice of law is exercised explicitly and not only by implied behaviour.

Last update: 16/06/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Portugal

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

Nothing to communicate.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Nothing to communicate.

Last update: 29/01/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Law applicable to divorce and legal separation - Romania

Article 7 (2) to (4) - Formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of applicable law

There are no further formal requirements applicable to agreements on the choice of law than those stipulated by Article 7 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010.

Article 5 (3) - Possibility of designating the applicable law during the course of the proceeding

Under Romanian law, the spouses may also designate the law applicable to divorce after the court has been seised, but no later than the date of the first court hearing at which the spouses have been legally summoned.

The relevant texts of the Civil Code are reproduced below:

Article 2598.

Date of the agreement to select the applicable law

(1) The agreement to select the law applicable to divorce may be concluded or amended at the latest by the date on which the competent authority has been seised to grant a divorce.

(2) However, the court may take note of the spouses’ agreement at the latest by the first hearing to which the parties have been legally summoned.

Article 2599.

Form of the agreement to select the applicable law

The agreement to select the law applicable to divorce must be concluded in writing and must be signed and dated by the spouses.

Last update: 12/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.