On 26 September 2021, Swiss voters decided on "marriage for all", the opening of civil marriage to same-sex couples. The amendment to the Civil Code had been adopted by Parliament in December 2020, before a referendum launched by conservative circles and the EDU brought the matter to the people.
The project was far more than symbolic: access to marriage with all its effects (name, facilitated naturalisation, inheritance law), joint adoption, and access to sperm donation for married female couples — the most disputed point of the campaign.
The Federal Council, a large majority of Parliament and most parties supported the reform. The defeated No camp voiced two main fears: an opening towards surrogacy, and the idea that so fundamental a reform required a constitutional basis rather than a mere law.
The stakes went beyond family law alone: equality, parentage and the model of society. Turnout was 52.6%, and the clear yes made Switzerland one of the last Western European countries to take this step.
▲ Cantons that accepted All 26 cantons, without exception. Strongest support: Basel-Stadt, Geneva (65.1%), Vaud (65%), Zurich. Valais (55.5%) and Ticino (52.9%) accepted more modestly. | ▼ Cantons that rejected None. For a matter subject to optional referendum, only a majority of the people was required — it was reached by a wide margin. |
Actors and personalities
▲ Yes camp • Federal Council (Karin Keller-Sutter) • SP, Greens, FDP, GLP and majority of The Centre • LGBTIQ organisations (Pink Cross, Rainbow Federation) • Broad civil society and business circles | ▼ No camp • EDU (referendum initiator) • Part of the SVP and The Centre • Conservative circles and religious milieus • Committee "No to marriage for all" |
Arguments and verdicts
▲ Arguments FOR (Yes camp) Same-sex couples will be able to marry and adopt « Marriage for all ends a discrimination and allows joint adoption. » — "Yes" committee, 2021 ✓ Argument confirmed Confirmed: the reform came into force on 1 July 2022. On day one, dozens of couples married (26 in Zurich); the FSO recorded 778 same-sex marriages in 2022 and 949 in 2023, with joint adoption now open to married couples. Source: FSO, marriage statistics 2022-2023; admin.ch, entry into force. Access to sperm donation ends an inequality « Married female couples will be able to use sperm donation in Switzerland, without going abroad. » — Supporters, 2021 ✓ Argument confirmed Confirmed: since 1 July 2022, married female couples have access to sperm donation in Switzerland, with both mothers recognised from birth. French-speaking sperm banks quickly built waiting lists, a sign of real demand. Source: RTS / Le Temps, 2022; FDJP, marriage for all. | ▼ Arguments AGAINST (No camp) Marriage for all will open the door to surrogacy « Allowing sperm donation will inevitably lead to legalising surrogacy. » — Referendum committee, 2021 ✗ Argument refuted Refuted: four years on, surrogacy remains fully banned in Switzerland (Art. 119 of the Constitution). No legalisation or completed project followed marriage for all; the announced "slippery slope" did not materialise. Source: Federal Constitution, Art. 119; no legal change since 2022. Such a reform requires a constitutional basis « Sperm donation for female couples needs a constitutional amendment, not a mere law. » — Opponents, 2021 ✗ Argument refuted Refuted: the amendment to the Civil Code, subject to optional referendum and approved by 64.1% of the people, came into force without any successful legal challenge. The legislative route was deemed sufficient and held. Source: Federal Chancellery; entry into force 01.07.2022. |
Factual record
2 Confirmed | 0 Partly confirmed | 0 Partly refuted | 2 Refuted |
| ✓ | Marriages: the reform applied In force since 1 July 2022, the reform enabled thousands of unions: 778 same-sex marriages in 2022, 949 in 2023, over 4,700 unions (marriages and conversions) recorded so far. Source: FSO, 2023-2024. |
| ✓ | Sperm donation and parentage: effective access Married female couples have had access to sperm donation in Switzerland since July 2022, with both mothers recognised. Demand showed in waiting lists at French-speaking banks. Source: RTS, 2022. |
| ~ | Demographic normalisation After a catch-up peak in 2023, same-sex marriages fell (800 in 2024) and conversions of registered partnerships dropped sharply — an expected effect once pent-up demand was absorbed. Source: FSO, 2024. |
Marriage for all was one of the most consensual social reforms of recent decades: 64.1% yes and every canton won — a rarity for so sensitive a matter.
In terms of facts, the Yes camp's promises were quickly fulfilled: marriages from July 2022, joint adoption, access to sperm donation. FSO figures confirm real use, marked by a catch-up peak in 2023 and then normalisation.
The No camp's fears, by contrast, did not come true: surrogacy remains banned and the chosen legislative route was not struck down. The "slippery slope" stayed theoretical.
Four years on, the reform appears settled and integrated into ordinary family law, without the upheavals its opponents announced.