Heinz Friedrich Harre has married his partner Reinhard Luechow in Hanover before appearing delighted outside the register office.

The marriage marks the end of a decades-long struggle by gay rights groups to bring Germany into line with countries such the Netherlands and Sweden.

"For gays and lesbians in Germany it`s a huge step forward after a long battle," said Volker Beck, a prominent MP from the Greens party, which has fought for the new legislation.

"The law will make a lot of people very happy," said Mr Beck, who is to be a witness for a couple`s ceremony in Hamburg.

The new law allows gay couples to exchange vows at local government offices and requires a court decision for divorce. Same-sex couples also will receive rights given heterosexual spouses in areas such as inheritance and health insurance.

The law was passed by the lower house of parliament last year but the upper house, where Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder`s coalition of the Social Democrats and Greens lacks a majority, voted to withhold some tax privileges granted to heterosexual couples.