same-sex marriage in portugal has been legal since 5 june 2010. the government of prime minister josé sócrates introduced a bill for legalization in december 2009; it was passed by the assembly of the republic (the portuguese parliament) in february 2010. the bill was declared legally valid by the portuguese constitutional court in april 2010. on 17 may 2010, president aníbal cavaco silva ratified the law and portugal became the sixth country in europe and the eighth country in the world to allow same-sex marriage nationwide. the law was published in the official journal, "diário da república", on 31 may 2010 and became effective on 5 june 2010. the country has also recognized same-sex de facto unions since 2001.