Family
Código da Família 1988 with recognised de facto unions and equal spousal capacity
The Código da Família (Lei 1/88) governs marriage, filiation and succession, and was progressive for its time in recognising the união de facto — a de facto union — as producing legal effects after three years. Marriage is monogamous and both spouses have equal capacity. The 2020 Penal Code decriminalised same-sex conduct.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Family sections of the provincial courts hear marriage and filiation matters.
Governing law
- Código da Família (Lei 1/88) — marriage; união de facto
- Lei de Protecção e Desenvolvimento Integral da CriançaLei 25/12
In practice
Recognition of the união de facto matters demographically: a large share of Angolan couples never register a marriage, and the three-year rule gives them succession and property claims that would otherwise depend entirely on proof of a customary union.