ECJ opinion: EU states may deny residency based on unrecognized foreign civil partnerships

An ECJ advocate general's preliminary opinion holds that Romania, which does not recognize same-sex civil partnerships, is not obliged to grant residency rights to a non-EU national based on a partnership concluded abroad. The opinion, if adopted by the full court, would set a precedent limiting the cross-border recognition of family statuses within the EU, affecting same-sex couples' freedom of movement. The final ruling is pending, and the opinion is non-binding but often followed.