EU moves closer to so-called conversion therapy ban as MEPs vote in favour
More than 1.2 million people signed the petition, exceeding the threshold required to trigger an official response
By Callum Wells
The European Parliament has backed a ban on so-called conversion therapy across the European Union.
MEPs voted on Wednesday (29 April), with 405 supporting the proposal. The move follows a campaign organised by ACT (Against Conversion Therapy) using the European Citizens’s Initiative – a mechanism that allows the public to formally invite the European Commission to consider new legislation.
More than 1.2 million people signed the petition, exceeding the threshold required to trigger an official response. The Commission must now set out its position by 18 May, including whether it intends to take the proposal forward or pursue further analysis.
What would an EU-wide conversion therapy ban include?
The initiative calls for a prohibition on practices aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It also proposes measures focused on prevention, enforcement and support for those affected.
At present, laws on conversion therapy differ across Europe, with regulation handled at national level. Seven countries have introduced full bans: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Malta, Norway, Portugal and Spain.
Other countries have taken a more limited approach. Greece introduced legislation in 2022 banning the practice for minors. In Germany, a law adopted in 2020 prohibits conversion therapy for minors and for adults who have not given consent.
What happens next after European Parliament vote on conversion therapy?
Previous resolutions adopted by the European Parliament have addressed conversion practices, but no EU-wide law currently exists. The latest vote places the issue back on the Commission’s agenda through a formal citizen-driven process.
Under EU procedures, the Commission has the sole authority to propose legislation at a bloc-wide level. Any proposal would then require approval from both the Parliament and EU member states before it could enter into force.
The Commission is expected to outline its next steps in response to the initiative later this month.