People often tend to think that all countries have the same rules in this area (or rather, they don't ask themselves the question). But when it comes to moving abroad, it's essential to find out about your host country's culture. Can you live as a couple in another country without being married? Which countries do not recognize live-in relationships?
These countries do not allow live-in relationships
Religion, tradition, culture, legislation, etc. When it comes to couples and living under the same roof, the rules are different in every country. A large proportion of European Union (EU) countries recognize "de facto unions" and cohabitation contracts. Simply living "stably and continuously" entitles you to certain rights "within the EU", even without legal recognition of your union. Other countries recognize live-in relationships, such as Canada, the Maldives and the UK. But in some, living under the same roof without being married is still forbidden. Let's take a closer look at some countries where live-in relationships are not accepted.
Indonesia
In December 2022, the Indonesian Parliament approved the introduction of a law criminalizing cohabitation and sexual intercourse outside marriage. The law is due to come into force in 3 years' time. Under the law, living in as an unmarried couple is punishable by 6 months' imprisonment. Those having sexual intercourse without being married risk one year's imprisonment. Yasonna Laody, Minister of Justice, justifies Indonesia's change of direction. For this country with a Muslim majority, the aim is to break away from the colonial penal code. As a reminder, Indonesia, a former Dutch colony, gained independence in 1949. The law's advocates aim to protect marriage and reassure that only parents, children, or spouses can denounce sexual intercourse before or outside marriage. Although the government reassures that the measure will not affect Bali, this is a worrisome situation for many travelers, including digital nomads.
Gulf countries
Gulf countries do not allow live-in relationships for unmarried couples. This is the case in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In fact, the 2022 World Cup highlighted some of Qatar's traditional laws. Just as it is not acceptable to live together without being married, it is also not permissible to have sexual intercourse before marriage. In public, couples have to avoid public displays of affection. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, is tending towards greater flexibility. Its laws prohibiting premarital sex were revised in 2022. Saudi Arabia, however, takes a hard line: unmarried couples are not allowed to live together. Public display of affection can lead to imprisonment. But like the UAE, Saudi Arabia is partially revising some of its laws as the country opens up to tourism. Since 2019, unmarried heterosexual couples have been able to share a hotel room.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, too, unmarried couples are forbidden to live together under Islamic law. They are even forbidden to be together, in an enclosed space, without witnesses. Offenders risk a fine of 215 dollars and up to 6 months in prison. In October 2021, a government proposal planned to strengthen Islamic law.
Thailand
In the Yaha district of southern Thailand, live-in relationships are frowned upon. In this Muslim-majority region, police and religious leaders are working together to stop "inappropriate" public displays of affection by unmarried couples by enforcing a law implemented in December 2019, dealing with single men and women and the manifestation of "intimate or adulterous acts [...] in public or private spaces." Unmarried couples found guilty risk civil and criminal penalties. They may be required to marry immediately. Marriage will not nullify their sanction, as they may be prosecuted for "public obscenity".
The difficulty lies in defining what is considered "inappropriate" and what is not. Depending on the religious interpretation adopted, a conversation between an unmarried man and woman without the presence of a third party could be considered "inappropriate". However, the Imam of Yaha clarifies that these measures only apply to Muslims. Nevertheless, the parents of an unmarried person involved in an affair of morality may be summoned to discuss marriage. If there has been sexual intercourse, the imam determines whether the couple must marry. According to Colonel Sayuti, head of the Yaha police force, no such marriages have taken place since the introduction of the 2019 measures.
Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, Morocco
In Iran, live-in relationships are punishable under the Penal Code. Men and women guilty of unmarried cohabitation risk 100 lashes each. In Sudan, they may even be stoned to death (to punish sexual intercourse outside marriage). The Sudanese state applies the same penalty to those guilty of adultery. In Somalia, the penalty can go as far as death. Egypt does not accept unmarried cohabitation either. In 2017, presenter Doaa Salah was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for discussing premarital sex on television. According to the courts, the presenter had committed an "outrage against public decency".
In Morocco, in 2019, a journalist was sentenced to 1 year in prison for premarital sex (and illegal abortion). According to Article 490 of the Penal Code: " All persons of the opposite sex who are not related by marriage, and have sexual relations with each other, are punishable by imprisonment for one month to one year." The case of hotel rooms is often cited. Unmarried couples cannot stay in the same hotel room (they are supposed to prove their union by presenting a marriage certificate). In practice, when it comes to renting hotel rooms to unmarried couples, article 490 is hardly ever applied. In principle, only Muslims are affected by these measures.
Philippines
In the Philippines, a predominantly Christian country, live-in relationships are considered a "crime against chastity", as is adultery. Men and women are not treated equally. The crime of cohabitation only applies to men, while the crime of adultery only applies to women. Penalties differ too. Living in is punishable by up to 4 years and 1 day in prison, compared with up to 6 years for adultery.
United States
Mississippi and Michigan, two states with a Christian majority, have passed laws against live-in relationships. But these laws are more of a symbol than anything else and are rarely enforced.
Prohibition of live-in relationships, cultures and individual freedoms
While it's essential to find out about rights and prohibitions in the host country, you must also ensure that your spouse can stay there. For instance, the French civil solidarity pacts (PACS) and cohabitation certificates are not recognized everywhere because, unlike marriage certificates, they are not civil status documents. As a result, such partners may be left without any status and unable to apply for a dependent visa.
Many rights remain attached to a person's marital status. In the United States, for example, only married spouses can obtain a work visa. Marriage offers legal protection. It guarantees filiation and entitles you to benefits. That's why it's a good idea to find out what's happening in the expat country before planning a trip with your partner.
