Hungarian PM Peter Magyar Announces Overhaul of Adoption Rules to Support LGBTQ+ Rights

Reforming Adoption Laws in Hungary

According to Рубрика — Політика: Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has revealed plans to reform the adoption system that previously restricted same-sex couples from adopting children under Viktor Orbán's government. The new framework shifts decision-making authority from politicians to qualified experts who can assess the best environment for a child to thrive happily and harmoniously within society. This initiative marks a significant step towards restoring and protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.

Legal Developments and Historical Context

Until the end of 2020, same-sex couples could only adopt if one partner applied as a single individual. However, a 2020 law passed by the Fidesz party changed this, requiring that adoption approvals for single applicants be granted by the Minister for Family Affairs. Under Orbán’s leadership, several restrictive laws were enacted, including bans on:

• gender marker changes in official documents,
• adoption by same-sex couples,
• access in schools to educational materials promoting homosexuality or gender transition.

Hungarian Justice Minister Márta Horog emphasized the need to revisit these restrictive laws following Peter Magyar's election victory. Meanwhile, the 2021 legislation under Orbán curtailed access to content related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender transition. In response to these discriminatory policies, the European Commission filed a lawsuit with the EU Court in July 2022, accusing Hungary of violating rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

At the end of June 2025, Budapest hosted its annual LGBTQ+ pride event, drawing a record number of participants despite government bans imposed by Orbán. Orbán himself dismissed the event as justification for his conservative administration. Contrastingly, Peter Magyar highlighted the importance of professional judgment in adoption cases, stating:

“We can unequivocally affirm that this system will change: decisions in these matters should be made not by ministers or politicians, but by experts.”

These legislative shifts reflect a gradual change in Hungary’s approach toward LGBTQ+ rights amid mounting international pressure from human rights organizations. The updated adoption policies could represent a crucial advance toward equality and safeguarding all citizens’ rights, regardless of sexual orientation. However, given the country’s history of stringent laws under Orbán’s regime, future developments will be closely monitored both within Hungary and internationally.