Germany has voted in favour of same-sex marriage, joining many other western democracies in granting gay and lesbian couples full rights, including adoption.
The German legal code was changed to say "marriage is entered into for life by two people of different or the same sex", in the bill that was strongly supported by leftist parties.
The reform grants full marital rights, including child adoption, to gay and lesbian couples, who in Germany have been allowed since 2001 to enter so-called civil union.
The lower house passed the bill by a margin of 393-226. The upper house has already approved it, and the measure is expected to enter into force before the end of the year.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said that she hoped the vote would bring about positive social change - but admitted she voted against it.
She said she believed marriage was between a man and a woman.
Gay and lesbian groups cheered the push for marriage equality in Germany where so-called civil unions were legalised in 2001.
"It's a real recognition, so it warms the heart," said French engineer Christophe Tetu, 46, who lives in Berlin with his partner Timo Strobel, 51.
"We're thinking about having a party, getting married and using our new rights to protect our relationship," he told AFP.
Strobel said he too was "overjoyed" the couple would be able to show family and friends "that we are committed to each other, that we will stay together and we will spend our lives together".
The law is likely take effect before the end of 2017.
Renate Kuenast of the Greens party, which has pushed for decades for LGBT community rights, quipped cheerfully: "I would advise all registry offices in the country to boost staff numbers."
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