Conversion therapies: Europe is speeding up the ban, but remains divided

Monday, Feb 23, 2026

European nations show varied laws against conversion therapies, which aim to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Conversion therapies, which aim to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, remain widespread across Europe despite varying levels of legislation. The European Parliament has called for member states to enact comprehensive bans on all forms of conversion therapy, strengthen support services for survivors, and promote awareness of the harm caused by these practices. Current data shows that while some countries have explicit prohibitions, others lack specific laws. In Greece, a 2022 law partially bans the practice on minors and incapacitated adults but allows it with explicit consent, despite high reported rates of attempts. Spain has enacted a national law in 2023 explicitly banning these methods even with consent, carrying fines up to €150,000. In Italy, no specific national ban exists, meaning such practices can only be prosecuted under general crime laws, and they are often occurring within family or religious settings.


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