Sweden’s parliament has unanimously passed a new law prohibiting marriages between cousins and other close relatives as part of efforts to combat honor-based abuse, coercion, and domestic violence.
The new law is expected to officially come into effect on July 1, 2026.
Under the new legislation, marriages between first cousins will no longer be legally permitted in Sweden. Authorities also announced that cousin marriages carried out abroad will, in most cases, not be recognized under Swedish law.
The measure further bans marriages involving individuals closely related through siblings, including unions between half-siblings and adopted siblings.
Swedish lawmakers said the decision was introduced to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals, particularly young people at risk of being pressured into marriages by relatives or cultural expectations.
According to officials, the law is designed to safeguard personal freedom and prevent situations where individuals are forced into relationships against their will.
“This legislation sends a clear message that marriage must always be based on free choice and consent,” one lawmaker said during parliamentary discussions.
Another government representative described the move as “an important step toward protecting children and young adults from oppression carried out in the name of family honor or tradition.”
Supporters of the law argue that the reform will help reduce cases of forced marriages and abuse linked to family pressure, while also improving protections for women and minors.