After 40-Year Ban, Amid Protests, Italy Allows Singles to Adopt Foreign Minors

Rome, Mar 22 (AP) – Italy’s Constitutional Court delivered a landmark ruling on Friday, striking down a 40-year ban that barred unmarried individuals from adopting foreign minors. The decision dismantles a 1983 law restricting international adoptions to married couples, declaring it unconstitutional for undermining a child’s right to a “stable and harmonious family environment.”

The court’s move, effective immediately, addresses a sharp decline in international adoptions—down 5.6% in early 2024 from the previous year and 14.3% from 2022—amid rising costs and procedural hurdles for couples. Adoption advocates hope this opens doors for singles, potentially reversing the trend. It may also set a precedent for domestic adoptions, currently limited to married pairs in Italy.

The right-wing government under Premier Giorgia Meloni opposed the change, reflecting its conservative stance on family policies. In contrast, the centre-left Democratic Party celebrated it as a “historic turning point.” Lawmaker Alessandro Zan, a vocal advocate for parenting rights, said, “It prioritizes minors’ rights and individual freedom,” urging parliament to extend adoption rights to singles domestically and to gay couples, currently excluded.

The ruling adds tension to Italy’s polarized debate on family rights. In October 2024, Meloni’s administration criminalized surrogacy abroad for Italian citizens, a move critics decried as “medieval” and aimed at same-sex couples. Friday’s decision, however, shifts focus to individual autonomy, challenging traditional frameworks.

Legal experts predict swift legislative pressure to align adoption laws with the ruling, though resistance from Meloni’s coalition could delay reforms. For now, singles can pursue international adoptions, marking a significant step toward inclusivity in a country where adoption numbers have dwindled.