( CNN ) Civil unions between people of the same sex will soon be recognized in Chile . The country joined several of its South American neighbors in allowing the unions when President Michelle Bachelet enacted a new law on Monday . `` This is a concrete step in the drive to end the difference between homosexual and heterosexual couples , '' Bachelet said . The new law will take effect in six months . It will give legal weight to cohabiting relationships between two people of the same sex and between a man and a woman . The Chilean government estimates that around 2 million people will be able to benefit from the change . The law is intended to end discrimination faced by common-law couples , such as not being allowed to visit partners in hospital , make medical decisions on their behalf or decide what to do with their remains . It also gives the couples greater rights in the realms of property , health care , pensions and inheritance . A number of South American nations have moved to allow same-sex civil unions in recent years . But marriage between people of the same sex is legal only in Argentina , Brazil and Uruguay .
President Michelle Bachelet signs law that will take effect in Monday . Chile joins several other South American nations that allow the unions .