Marriage refers to the institution that indicates the civil union and/or religious between two people.
In Italy, marriages celebrated before a minister of a religious denomination that has entered into an agreement with the Italian State also have civil validity.
In the Italian legal system, marriage is regulated by Title VI of the Civil Code, while the Constitution addresses it in Articles 29 and 30. Specifically, the first defines the family as a "natural society founded on marriage," while the second concerns the maintenance, education, and upbringing of children.
As stated in Article 143 of the Civil Code, upon marriage, husband and wife acquire the same rights and assume the same duties. Specifically, marriage entails the following obligations:
- fidelity;
- moral and material assistance;
- cooperation in the interests of the family;
- cohabitation.
Furthermore, both spouses are required, in accordance with their resources and ability to work, work, or live at home, to contribute to the family’s needs.
