Sweden plans to allow non-Swedish gay couples to enjoy the same rights as same-sex partnerships between Swedish citizens, the Ministry of Justice said on Thursday. If parliament approves a legal amendment, gay couples where one of the partners has been a resident of Sweden for at least two years will be able to register the partnership, regardless of nationality, starting this July 1. Swedish homosexuals are already allowed to register partnerships, entitling them to the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples, except child adoption. "The purpose of the amendment is to remove an unnecessary limitation and make it possible for foreign citizens to enter into partnerships in Sweden," Justice Minister Laila Freivalds said. Until now at least one of the partners had to be a Swedish citizen resident in Sweden.