FAQs - Divorce and legal separation
My husband and I got married in the Czech Republic and we last lived together in Germany. My husband, who is Belgian, has now moved back to Belgium, but I am staying in Germany. Can I file for divorce in the Czech Republic?
NO - You can only file for divorce in the Czech Republic if you move back and live there for at least six months (if you are Czech) or one year (if you are not). As long as you remain in Germany, you can file for divorce there, as the country where you both last lived together.
Are there EU-wide rules that determine which law will govern our divorce or legal separation if one of us is living in another country?
Some EU countries have agreed on rules for determining which country's laws apply – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
But if countries other than these are involved, it can be very hard to predict which laws will apply. Given the uncertainty this can create, with national laws often differing greatly, it is best to consult a specialised lawyer about where to file.
My divorce judgement was issued in Sweden. To have it recognised in Poland, do I have to go through Polish courts?
NO - A divorce (or legal separation or annulment) granted in any EU country (here, Sweden) will automatically be recognised in any other (here, Poland), without any special procedure.
You can, however, get your Polish documents certifying your marital status updated on the basis of the Swedish judgment once it is final ("final" means appeals against it are no longer possible).