Recent Publication: Towards Universal Parenthood in Europe

Key Takeaways

• EU co‑funded UniPAR project examines cross‑border parenthood
• Book covers Spain, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland
• Analyzes jurisdiction, applicable law, adoption, birth certificates
• Highlights legislative gaps in EU private international law
• Offers recommendations for harmonised parenthood rules

Summary

“Towards Universal Parenthood in Europe”, edited by Laura Carpaneto, Francesca Maoli and Ilaria Queirolo, presents the findings of the EU‑co‑funded UniPAR project. The volume offers comparative analyses across six member states—Spain, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland—covering jurisdiction, applicable law, adoption, birth‑certificate recognition and judicial cooperation. It combines theoretical frameworks with practical insights to identify legislative gaps in cross‑border parenthood. The final recommendations aim to guide EU policymakers toward harmonised private international law rules.

Pulse Analysis

Cross‑border parenthood has become a pressing legal puzzle as European families increasingly move between member states and as assisted reproductive technologies blur traditional jurisdictional lines. Today, each country applies its own set of rules on parentage, adoption and the recognition of birth certificates, creating uncertainty for parents, children and courts. The UniPAR project, funded jointly by the European Union, was launched to map these divergences and to propose a coherent framework that can keep pace with demographic mobility and technological advances.

The newly released volume, ‘Towards Universal Parenthood in Europe’, translates UniPAR’s research into a practical guide. By examining Spain, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland, the editors present side‑by‑side national reports that dissect jurisdictional thresholds, applicable law choices, adoption procedures, and mechanisms for judicial cooperation. The comparative methodology highlights both best‑practice models and systemic gaps, offering lawyers, judges and academics concrete reference points. Moreover, the inclusion of theoretical perspectives ensures that the analysis is not merely descriptive but also rooted in broader private international law doctrines.

Beyond academia, the book’s concluding recommendations carry weight for EU policymakers seeking to draft harmonised parenthood legislation. Proposals such as a unified EU framework for recognizing parental status and streamlined cross‑border adoption protocols could reduce administrative burdens for multinational families and lower litigation costs for courts. For businesses, clearer family‑law rules translate into more predictable employee benefits and mobility programs. As the EU moves toward greater legal integration, this publication is poised to influence upcoming reforms and to serve as a benchmark for future comparative family‑law research.