A Slovakian same-sex couple, Ivan Novotný and Metod Špaček, filed a lawsuit after the government refused to register their marriage performed in Austria in 2020.

This case marks the first time a same-sex couple in Slovakia has challenged their home state over non-recognition of a foreign union.

The lawsuit sits within broader regional and global debates about LGBTQIA+ rights and how EU enforcement powers are exercised.

EU mechanisms, including potential fines for non-compliance, could come into play, though Slovakia has argued it prioritizes constitutional precedence over EU law in this area.

The case tests EU law, in particular a 2025 CJEU ruling that all EU member states must recognise same-sex marriages lawfully conducted in another EU country, regardless of domestic law.

Slovakia amended its Constitution in 2025 to define marriage as between a man and a woman and to restrict adoption, underscoring a stance of national sovereignty over cultural matters and challenging EU obligations.

The ruling, if issued, would not force Slovakia to legalise domestic same-sex marriages but would require recognition of marriages performed abroad for freedom of movement and family life rights.

The case highlights a gap between LGBTQIA+ rights on paper and lived reality in Slovakia, where conservative social attitudes persist despite legal changes.

The Slovak registry office reportedly withheld recognition citing legal arguments and possible interference from high-level government officials, including the Prime Minister.

If the court sides with the couple, it could set a precedent affecting recognition of overseas same-sex marriages in other EU member states.