The Safest Countries for LGBTQIA+ Expats

For LGBTQIA+ people looking to move abroad, safety, security and acceptance will be paramount. Being part of a welcoming, friendly community is an essential part of fully enjoying the experience of living abroad, and ensuring you and your loved ones can thrive.

The LGBT Equality Index from Equaldex measures the status of LGBT rights, laws, and freedoms in each country, as well as public attitudes towards LGBT people. Using the top 10 from this ranking, we explore each country to see what makes them good destinations for LGBTQIA+ expats, highlighting the legal protections and vibrant communities that can help you find a safe and supportive destination.

Iceland looks to be the safest country in the world for LGBTQIA+ expats, coming first on the LGBT Equality Index with a score of 93. Iceland scored 95 on the Legal Index (looking at legal rights and freedoms for LGBTQ+ people) and 90 on the Public Opinion Index, suggesting that LGBTQIA+ people in Iceland have a lot of legal protection as well as public acceptance.

LGBT rights in Iceland rank amongst the highest in the world. The country recently passed a law banning “conversion therapy” practices based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity, with not one single government representative voting against the bill. Same-sex couple have had equal access to adoption and IVF since 2006 and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010.

In 2019, a new law was introduced allowing transgender people to change their legal gender without needing a medical diagnosis or sex reassignment surgery. The law also allows people to choose a third gender option known as X on official documents. In addition, trans people are now able to access gender-affirming healthcare via informed consent – prior to this, one year of psychiatric evaluation was required before hormone therapy was allowed.

The country is generally progressive, with a high value for equality and human rights, which extends to LGBT+ people. The majority of people in Iceland are open and accepting of everyone, including the LGBTQIA+ community.

Even with a small population, Iceland has a visible LGBTQIA+ scene, specifically in the capital city of Reykjavik where there are gay bars and cafes. Iceland’s gay pride parades are some of the biggest events in the country, which can see around 30% of the population attending.

Norway is the second-safest country for LGBTQIA+ expats, with an overall Equality Index score of 86. Norway’s Legal Index is 85 and Public Opinion Index is 87. So, whilst there seems to be a bit of a gap between Iceland in first place and Norway in second place, it still suggests LGBTQIA people living in Norway enjoy a lot of freedom and acceptance.

Norway was one of the first countries to implement an anti-discrimination law that explicitly includes sexual orientation, meaning it’s illegal to discriminate against LGBTQIA people there. Same-sex couples have been able to get married and also adopt children since 2009. Assisted insemination treatments for lesbian couples has also been legal since 2009. Conversion therapy based on sexual orientation or gender identity was outlawed in 2024.

In 2016, a new law was enacted to allow people to legally change their sex without the need for a psychiatric evaluation. However, access to gender-affirming healthcare still requires an evaluation and diagnosis, and no treatment is available for nonbinary people.

Norway is considered to be very gay-friendly. The most visible gay scene is in the capital city of Oslo, where there are a number of LGBTQ+ venues and events. This includes sporting events as well as pride parades, which are well attended by residents.

In recent years, there has been a rise of transphobic groups and content published in national newspapers. Equality groups such as the Norwegian Humanist Association have condemned this move towards transphobia, urging more people to support transgender people and fight against anti-humanist forces.

Spain is the third safest country for LGBTQI+ expats, with an Equality Index score of 83. Spain scored the maximum on the Legal Index, at 100, with a relatively low score by other countries rankings of 67 for the Public Opinion Index. This suggests that whilst LGBTQIA expats in Spain could enjoy a high degree of freedom, they may have to contend with poor attitudes.

Adoption and marriage for same-sex couples have been legal in Spain since 2005. Discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation has been illegal since 1995, and a broader law banning discrimination for the provision of goods and services was added in 2022.

Conversion therapy was banned nationwide in February 2023. Various autonomous communities across Spain have had conversion therapy banned prior to this, such as Madrid which banned it in 2016. However, in December 2023, the newly elected government repealed the conversion therapy ban in Madrid in so far as it applies to trans people.  

Transgender people have been allowed to update to their preferred sex in public documents without needing sex reassignment surgery since 2006, however, a professional diagnosis is still required. This was extended to minors who are “mature enough” to make the decision in 2019. In 2023, a bill was passed to allow trans people to self-identify on their birth certificates without restrictions.

LGBTQIA+ culture is largely accepted throughout Spain, but there are still areas where discrimination can be encountered, such as the smaller rural villages and amongst some of the older generations.

However, the majority of people are progressive and accepting. Recent research found that Spain was the most accepting of LGBTQ+ people out of eight countries that were polled, with 91% of people saying they would be supportive if a family member came out as gay or bisexual, and 87% saying they would be supportive if a family member was trans or nonbinary.

Uruguay is the fourth safest county for LGBTQIA+ expats, with an Equality Index of 83. Uruguay scores highly in the Legal Index, at 93, and a little lower in the Public Opinion Index, at 73.

Same-sex legal activity in Uruguay has been legal since 1934, with an equal age of consent. This shows the foundations of freedoms for gay people that are present in the country, with a relatively long history of gay rights enshrined in law. Since 2003, it has been illegal to incite hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Same-sex marriages have been legal since 2013 and same-sex couples have been legally allowed to adopt since 2009. Uruguay was the first Latin American country to legalise civil unions under national legislation, with the bill being passed in 2007 and coming into effect early 2008.

Trans people have been allowed to change their name and legal gender since 2009, and there has been no need for sex reassignment therapy or any kind of diagnosis to do so since 2018. Minors have been allowed to change their legal gender with parental consent since 2018.

Uruguay is seen as a global leader in human rights, including LGBT rights. Many people there are welcoming and accepting, with surveys often showing the highest acceptance rights amongst South American countries. Pride events and parades are held every year and can see over 100,000 attendees in places like Montevideo.

However, there is still stigma and discrimination against trans people, with about two-thirds of transgender people in Uruguay experiencing physical violence. There is also a huge difference in the life expectancy of transpeople and non-transpeople, at 45 years old and 77 years old respectively. Reports show that 75% of trans people have been expelled from the education system and only around 23% have access to formal employment.

Below are the top 10 safest countries for LGBTQIA expats, using the LGBT Equality Index.

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