The Portugese Parliament granted legal rights and tax benefits to gay and lesbian couples who have lived together for more than two years.

The bill was passed last week with the support of a majority of liberal lawmakers in the 230-seat parliament, including members of the ruling Socialist Party.

Gay and lesbian groups have lobbied for several years for equal rights with heterosexual common-law couples. In 1999 a majority of lawmakers rejected a proposal to incorporate same-sex relationships in legislation on common-law marriages.

However, gay marriages are still banned in the mostly Roman Catholic country.