Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Austria under strict conditions, governed by the Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (ABGB) and overseen by district courts. Since 2026, civil registry offices (Standesämter) must verify compliance with consanguinity rules before issuing marriage licenses, aligning with EU anti-inbreeding directives.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Austria
- Consanguinity Limits: Marriages between first cousins (siblings’ descendants) are permitted, but unions between second cousins or closer relatives (e.g., uncle-niece) are prohibited under ABGB §44.
- Medical Certificates: Since 2026, applicants must submit genetic screening reports from authorized labs (Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit) to assess hereditary risk, per EheG §13.
- Judicial Review: District courts (Bezirksgerichte) retain discretion to deny licenses if genetic risks exceed thresholds set by the Bundesministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz.