Gay rights campaigners won a victory over the German government as the country's top court ruled that homosexual couples in civil unions should receive the same tax benefits as heterosexual married couples.

The court said that treating civil unions differently amounts to "unequal treatment because of sexual orientation." Failure to be vigilant in guaranteeing equality "leads to discrimination against a minority," it warned.

Married couples in Germany are able to jointly declare their taxable incomes, which can significantly lower their overall tax burden especially when one partner has higher pay.

Gay rights campaigners cheered the court decision.Gay-rights advocate Volker Beck feels that the next hurdle should be to grant gay couples equal rights when it comes to adoption.