The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on Thursday that member states must allow transgender citizens to amend their birth certificates if they have transitioned while living in another EU country. The court found that Bulgaria’s refusal to update the records of a woman living in Italy hindered her right to freedom of movement and violated her right to a private life under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This landmark decision emphasizes that identity documents must align with a person’s gender identity to prevent practical obstacles to living and working across the bloc. While the CJEU provides the legal interpretation, the Bulgarian national court is now responsible for applying this guidance to reach a final judgment in the specific case.
Date: March 12, 2026. Source: euractiv.com