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Learn how marriage works in Europa Universalis 5 (EU5), its types, and the steps to create a Personal Union and rule multiple countries.
Marriages and Personal Unions in Europa Universalis 5 are important tools of diplomacy, which can bring countries under your influence and even direct control without any bloodshed. Any adult character can marry another of the opposite gender unless they belong to the Clergy estate and follow the Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Miaphysitism religion. This guide highlights the kinds of marriages in EU5 and how Personal Unions can be created under the right circumstances.
Types of Marriages in Europa Universalis 5
There are three types of marriages in Europa Universalis 5:
- Royal marriage
- Nobility marriage
- Lowborn marriage
Royal Marriage
Royal marriages take place between characters who are part of two different ruling dynasties. If you propose a royal marriage, the second nation will accept it depending on trust, religion, culture, opinion, rank difference, and how far the royal is in line to the throne.
When choosing a royal marriage, the map will show countries that will accept in green, and the rest in grey. You can gain or lose Prestige from a royal marriage depending on how far in line the characters are to the throne, and the country rank difference. Consider royal marriage proposals from other countries based on these factors.
Nobility Marriage
Two characters belonging to the Nobility estate within the same country can take part in a nobility marriage. This type of marriage is only available to countries with the Tribe, Steppe Horde, or Monarchy government. Nobility marriage cannot take place between close relatives.
Lowborn Marriage
Male characters have the option of lowborn marriage, where you don’t have to choose a second character to be their partner. This type of marriage has several downsides, such as -20 Government Power and Prestige. However, lowborn marriage is still more desirable than no marriage at all. Characters with the Eunuch trait cannot have a lowborn marriage.
Also Read: Europa Universalis 5 Colonization Guide
Europa Universalis 5: Unifying Countries with Marriage and Personal Union
A Personal Union is a situation in which a monarch rules over two or more nations at once. This is usually the result of a royal marriage where two separate rulers give birth to an heir who inherits both thrones. To create a Personal Union, you must propose marriage between your ruler and the ruler of another country, or between the heirs of two countries.
Even if your royal marriages fail to create Personal Unions, having multiple members of the royal family married into the royal families of other countries will lead to strong alliances with them. To improve the chances of a country accepting your royal marriage proposals, you can take some of the following actions:
- Increase Trust between the countries by professing trust at the cost of Diplomatic Reputation.
- Improve the second country’s opinion of you by taking actions they support.
- Invest more funds in Diplomatic Spending.
- Focus on countries with the same religion and similar ranking.
While preparing to create a Personal Union, remember that you must have the same inheritance laws in both countries to succeed.
Also Read: Europa Universalis 5 Trade Guide
Union International Organization
Once you create a Personal Union, the countries under it form the Union International Organization (Union IO). The Union IO is led by a royal family, a single ruler, or a marriage union. All the countries within the union have a defensive alliance by default and can also cooperate in offensive wars.
However, such actions must be voted on by the Union Law voting system. Every law within the Union IO has to be passed by the majority of its members. After the Union IO is 50 years old and unifying laws have been passed, Unification can take place to form a single country in a manner similar to integrating subjects like Vassals and Fiefdoms.
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