Here are some of the most gay-friendly countries you can live, work and invest in if you belong to the LGBT community. Dublin is one of the top cities for social life in the region with an English-speaking populace known for its sense of humor and hospitality. Singapore, Singapore. While the rest of the country is a bit more conservative, few incidents have been reported, and the warmth of the countrys Latin culture makes public affection widely acceptable. The most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries for expats, the first country to legalize same-sex marriage, spousal or life partner permit for South Africa. Denmark has one of the most extensive sex education curricula that includes information about sexuality, sexual relationships, gender identity, and diversity. While the gay scene in this country may be more concentrated in the main cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa has done work to change the narrative on LGBT protections on the continent and travelers who are doing business in this region or seek to invest in frontier markets might choose to be in South Africa as a base. A few years ago, we started spending winters in Singapore. 10 Fascinating Spots In New York City For History Lovers, 11 Best Things To Do In Enchanting San Miguel De Allende, 8 Things To Know Before Visiting Michigans Beautiful South Manitou Island, 16 Top Countries To Retire Abroad In 2023, 6 Key Steps To Take If You Want To Retire Abroad In Panama, Retire In Costa Rica: An Expert Breaks Down Each Residency Status, Top 8 Questions To Ask Before Moving To Costa Rica, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, Guide To Pride Parades And Other Events In Americas Most Gay-Friendly Cities. Trans people can change their names and legal sex without surgery; those who elect to have surgery can use public healthcare coverage. However, gay travelers should definitely stay vigilant, especially those whose identities may be more of a target and put them in physical or political danger. Antwerp (Antwerpen) had the edgier and more forward-thinking community, but Brussels has shed its bourgeois image in recent years. Transgender rights are highly advanced in Belgium, where individuals may change their legal gender without surgery. Look no further than Madrid's Pride Festival to understand the city's legacy status within the LGBTQ community. first countries in the world to legalize gay marriage. In 2005, Canada also legalized same-sex marriage. French Polynesia is a group of six archipelagos in the South Pacific Ocean, located in Oceania about halfway between South America and Australia. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The LGBT movement in the country was sparked by the Carnation Revolution in 1974 which produced a number of major social, demographic, and economic changes. Denmark, Belgium, Norway and Luxembourg completed the top five most LGBT-friendly countries, with Sweden, France, Montenegro, Iceland and Portugal rounding out the top 10. The city is home to an annual pride parade. Now for Madridthe beating heart of gay Spain and arguably one of the world's most gay-friendly cities. It is also important to understand that laws for foreigners, especially those who look foreign or are differentiated by class, are often different than those applied to local people, particularly in the case of countries with Islamic law. Australian citizens or permanent residents may be able to sponsor a partners visa. 4. Single individuals and couples, regardless of sexual orientation, enjoy adoption rights, and lesbians may access in vitro fertilization treatment. Note that Spain was among the. Lisbon is without a doubt the best city for an LGBTQ+ person to live in. English is widely spoken, and Malta is one of the safest countries in Europe. You'll pay about 3 for a bottle of beer. Spain has since transformed itself into one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries to live in the world. Gay Madrid. By 2017, the survey found that 50.4% of respondents supported same-sex marriage. Taiwan is increasingly LGBTQIA+ friendly; however, same-sex couples cannot adopt. Since same-sex marriage in Canada was legalised in 2005, Quebec moved one step ahead in this regard. Since 2006, same-sex couples in Finland have had access to IVF and artificial insemination. Whether you prefer the city streets of Dublin or rocky cliffs of Donegal, Ireland ranks as one of the best countries for expats this year. The entry requirements are simple: a pensioner visa showing just $10,000 in income and being in possession of private health insurance. Scandinavia is the most liberal region in the world - by far. With its liberal policies and relatively welcoming attitudes to immigration, Canada has long attracted LGBTQIA+ individuals from abroad. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. For such a small nation that is still relatively unvisited by the traditional tourist track, Malta has advanced LGBT rights. After upholding the countrys first transgender marriage in 2013 albeit of a couple who had both had gender-reaffirming surgery the country appointed its first transgender minister, Audrey Tang, in 2016. . Going out and seeing the world often on your own or while starting or running a business is not always an easy task for anyone. Wellington and Auckland boast the largest number of gay bars and clubs, but LGBTQIA+ residents in Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hamilton are also guaranteed a good night out. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". From Principe Real and Bairro Alto to Arroios and Cascais, there is an abundance of great places for the gay community in Portugal. The New York Times called Buenos Aires South Americas gay capital, with the city being ranked the worlds fifth in the world for gay tourism, or perhaps expats looking to settle in. Berlin, Germany. Budapest, Hungary. Since 2007, people have been able to change their gender in Spain, and the country is one of the worlds most supportive of trans rights. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". One that as an LGBT expat, you will be welcomed into with open arms. Same-sex marriage isnt possible in Aruba, Curaao, and Sint Maarten, however. In 2018, 27-year old LGBTQIA+ activist Angela Ponce became the firsttransgenderwoman tocompete in the Miss Universe contest, where she received a standing ovation. Often voted one of the best places to be an expat, progressive New Zealand also has a great record on LGBTQIA+ rights. The third Scandinavian nation in the top three ranks highest for fighting climate change, reducing pollution . The government banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in educational institutions in 2004; further legislation covering the rest of society in 2017. Founded in Lisbon almost 40 . fastest places in the world to become a citizen, residency in Malta with the Global Resident Programme, top most livable cities in Southeast Asia, The Best Nomadic Lifestyle Jobs (and How to Land Them), Digital Nomad Lifestyle: All Pros and Cons to Keep in Mind, St Kitts Travel Guide for Families and Couples, 44 Digital Nomad Visas to Get: The Ultimate Digital Nomad Visa List, Traveling to Antigua: Our Favorite Luxury Hotels. Belgium has implemented penalty enhancements for hate crimes committed due to sexual orientation. Although LGBTQIA+ people may not be legally hindered in their access to government services, campaigners say discrimination is widespread. New Zealand and France banned conversion therapy in early 2022. Check out the cheapest places in the world to live for Expats. You need to have a clean criminal record to be eligible to be interviewed for a permanent resident permit. Argentina is socially liberal compared to most of its neighbors - it was the first country in South America to legalize gay marriage in July 2010, and the ruling also included full adoption rights. Canada was also listed as number three of the top 10 most gay-friendly countries worldwide in a 2014 Gallup survey. From Madrid to Gran Canaria, the country has a diverse and welcoming scene for all members of the queer community. Oslo Pride is the largest pride festival in the country and runs over nine days during June and July. Digital nomad. All of this got us thinking. There was, however, widespread agreement that those who live together should enjoy legal protections. As is the case elsewhere, LGBTQIA+ life tends to be concentrated around the major cities, particularly Toronto, Vancouver (often rated among the worlds best cities for expats), and Montreal. Transgender rights in Argentina are among the most advanced worldwide. Vietnam. Donate to the UN Refugee Agencytoday. Tied for #2 - Sweden. Be prepared to learn to speak French if you dont already. Envision yourself knocking back cava with your husband on a terrace in Madrid? These groups not only accepted the third gender, but also treated male, female, transgender, and intersex people as equal. Portugal makes it easy to apply for a resident visa. The Netherlands also ranks in the top five countries in terms of same-sex couples as parents (number five . Civil servants may refuse to solemnize civil unions if they object on grounds of conscience, religion, or belief. French Polynesia. Definitely not one to miss! 75% are happy with their job. Also, the nightlife in this French neighborhood is vibrant. Christophe Morin / Bloomberg via Getty Images. Sue -- a native New Yorker -- and Regina -- a native Singaporean -- share their experiences at Travel for Life Now. Every year, InterNationsthe world's largest expat communitypolls expats around the globe to find out the best and worst places to live. Croatia legalized same-sex adoptions in May 2021. A picturesque landscape coupled with progressive LGBTQI+ rights makes Finland one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries. Sweden comes in at #8 on both Gallup's list of "Top Places for Gay People to Live" and HSBC's list of best countries for expats. The country legalized same-sex sexual activity in 1969. Information about same-sex relationships is included in sex education in the country. IE 11 is not supported. At first, we focused on five countries Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Belize, and Portugal. If you are looking for a beach community, the Coronado beaches area is one of the most popular in Panama. COVID paused that last year. Spain 6. The only African country on this list, for now, South Africa also has an interesting relationship with the issue of gay rights. The country has a non-lucrative visa and initial one-year residence permit also known as the retirement visa. You can also take a tour of the LGBTQI+-friendly gay village neighborhood of Montreal, Canada. They also offer a Rentista program, which requires that you deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank or show $30,000 yearly income for two years. Afghanistan . Canada has the most progressive and comprehensive rights for the LGBTQ community in North America. To ensure the same rights for the LGBT community as heterosexual couples, the Icelandic government decriminalized same-sex sexual activity in 1940. Despite having an LGBTQIA+ friendly government, the LGBTQIA+ scene is not as well developed in Malta as it is other European countries, with relatively fewer dedicated bars and cafs. Taiwan. Furthermore, Mar del Plata, Rosario and Mendoza are also recommended gay friendly destinations. While we spent most of the last 25 years based primarily in the United States, we hail from different countries. Youll need to speak (or learn) Spanish to get around easily in Ecuador. Amsterdam, its capital, is a popular destination for LGBTQ tourists and was ranked among the best cities in the world for expats. Trumps is the best-known LGBT club in Portugal. The Netherlands is considered the most gay-friendly country in the world, according to Gallup, and it was also the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000. The hotel's idyllic rooftop bar and extensive wine list are of particular note. There are a number of LGBTQ+-friendly countries and best places to retire that did not make this list mainly due to the lack of retirement visas or recognition of gay marriage. Around 86 percent of Spaniards were also in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage. Bahrain: laidback lifestyle, best for wage growth. Foreigners may also marry in South Africa. Same-sex couples may adopt children and arrange IVF or surrogacy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. But making the decision can be a greater challenge for LGBTQIA+ expats than it is for heterosexuals. As early as 1981, Norway began to pass anti-discrimination laws protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. All taxpayers are covered by the countrys mandatory health insurance scheme, though you may choose to purchase private insurance to see your own physician and pay for prescriptions. Follow NBC OUT on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, in 2021, an executive order was passed in the country, providing access to free IVF treatment procedures to single women and women in same-sex relationships across the entire nation. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Malta was one of the first nations in the world to prohibit sterilization and invasive surgery on intersex individuals. Homosexuality is still a criminal act in many countries, and there are a number of places where LGBTQIA+ rights are eroding. Of those, Seattle, Portland, and Oakland have the best le. The most popular location for gay expats to live is Zona Rosa in Mexico City. Whether it is ensuring equal access to adoption and IVF treatment for same-sex couples, legalizing same-sex marriage, or voting in power an openly gay head of a government in 2009, the country has shown the world what it means to give legal and comprehensive recognition to the LGBTQ locals. Homosexuality itself has been legal since 1991; however, local law doesnt recognize same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. Founder of Nomad Capitalist and the worlds most sought-after expert on global citizenship. Only gays in the community. Portugal 5. Lisbon, Portugal. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the expat community, go directly to the 25 Best . 9. Israel is known for its vibrant gay scene particularly concentrated in the urban area of Tel Aviv and has been rated by some accounts as the worlds best gay travel destination renowned for its beaches and social life (and, by some accounts, attractive people!). Very recently, the ILGA-Europe listed Belgium as the number two leading country for the protection of LGBT rights in the European Union, right after Malta.