Same-sex couples in Greece could soon have the protection of rights equal to marriage, with civil partnerships.

The new rights would come under a bill released this week by the ministry of justice.

Under the draft law, same-sex couples would be given the option of civil partnerships, offering full marriage rights.

However, despite offering equal marriage rights, the bill would not allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

The ministry has said a discussion about whether same-sex couples can adopt will take place in the future.

Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos said civil rights, inheritance issues, taxation and public employee law rights will be covered under civil partnerships.

In addition to the partnerships, a national Council Against Racism and Intolerance would be introduced.

Greece introduced registered cohabitation, but same-sex couples were exempt under the law.

Then in 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that it was discriminatory for Greece to exclude same-sex couples from the law.