Relationships will have legal recognition

The law comes into effect on 1 January, but the first register office ceremony is not expected until June at the earliest.

It will be left to the federal state to decide where the registration takes place.

In ultra-conservative regions such as Bavaria, authorities have suggested that gay and lesbian couples might tie the knot at district council offices, which handle everyday business including vehicle registration.

'Attack on marriage'Members of the Bavaria-based CSU (Christian Social Union) have called the new rules the greatest attack on the institution of marriage in decades.

Under the regulations, couples can take the same surname, share household insurance and act as the next of kin in key medical decisions.

Financial provisions

The relationships will have legal recognition, and the rules will extend to foreigners.

But the right to adopt children was excluded.

The Bundesrat also voted down key financial provisions which would have ended discrimination on the basis of sexuality over income and inheritance tax laws.

The legislation envisaged new obligations as well as rights for gay couples. One was the requirement to support an unemployed partner, however the Bundesrat voted this down.

Holland and the US state of Vermont have already approved laws giving gay marriages the same legal status as heterosexual marriages, while Canada is debating similar proposals.