The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that EU member states must provide transgender citizens with identification documents reflecting their lived gender. National legislation preventing such changes is contrary to EU law, the court said.

The case was referred by Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation, which sought clarification on whether authorities could amend documents of a citizen registered male at birth but identifying as a woman. Lower Bulgarian courts had previously ruled that the individual’s name, gender and national registry number could not be changed.

According to the Luxembourg-based court, documents that do not match a person’s gender identity may cause significant difficulties, particularly during travel and in everyday administrative situations. Respecting lived gender, the judges said, enables citizens to fully exercise their right to free movement within the EU.

The case now returns to Bulgaria’s courts to determine how national law can be aligned with EU legislation. The ruling may also affect other member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, where legal gender changes on official documents remain restricted.