Busting cohabitation myths across 6 jurisdictions
By Teresa Cullen, partner at Fladgate, 19 Apr 18
In the UK, many couples mistakenly believe that they acquire similar rights to a married couple after living with their partner after a fixed period of time has elapsed. In an attempt to bust cohabitation myths, Teresa Cullen, partner at international law firm Fladgate, looks at what rights unmarried couples have in several jurisdictions.
In neighbouring Spain, there exists a progressive and scrupulous system of law for unmarried couples, which extends to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples – the only requirement being that they share a home and intend to share a life together.
Such a relationship may be terminated at any time, at which point the registered cohabitation comes to an end.
It should be noted, however, that Spanish law offers no concrete protection of assets for couples who decide to cohabit rather than legally marry. Despite this, the surviving partner from an unmarried couple is entitled to the equivalent of a “widows” pension, which is payable until the surviving partner remarries.
