Lgbt safe countries
From Switzerland to Spain, here are Europe’s most Gay friendly countries.
Europe has prolonged been seen as relatively progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and thankfully it’s becoming even safer and more welcoming. But not all countries are equal – especially when it comes to policies and general level of acceptance – and some countries do a lot better than most. That’s why we’re unveiling the 20 most Queer friendly countries in Europe in 2024. Each land has been carefully selected for its vibrant Homosexual scene, progressive laws, and inclusive atmosphere. We’ve created our own points system using respected benchmarking tools, including the IGLA Rainbow Europe and Equaldex, and combined this with other factors, such as the number of queer-friendly bars, festivals and events, and legislation. So, without further ado, here are 20 countries in Europe where love knows no bounds.
20. Estonia
Points: 26/50
Estonia is the most LGBT-friendly country in the Baltic and has risen in the ranks to develop one of Europe’s foremost 20 LGBT-friendly countries in the past five years. It was the first Baltic country to launch marriage equality, making it possible for sam
LGBT Equality Index
Equality Index Methodology
Equaldex's Equality Index is a rating from 0 to 100 (with 100 organism the most equal) to help visualize the legal rights and public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ (lesbian, lgbtq+, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex...) people in each region. The Equality Index is an average of two indexes: the legal index and the universal opinion Index.
Equality Index
Average of Legal Index and Public Opinion Index
Legal Index
The LGBT legal index measures the current legal status of 13 different issues ranging from the legal status of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, transgender rights, LGBT discrimination protections, LGBT censorship laws, and more. Each topic is weighted differently (for example, if same-sex marriage is illegal in a region, it would possess a much bigger impact on the score than not allowing LGBT people to serve in the military). Each topic is assigned a "total achievable score" and a "score" is assigned based the status of the statute using a rating scale that ranges from 0% to 100% (for example, if homosexuality is legal, it would would get a score of 100, but if it's illegal, it would receve a score of 0.)
Rainbow Map
2025 rainbow map
These are the main findings for the 2025 edition of the rainbow map
The Rainbow Map ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTI people, from 0-100%.
The UK has dropped six places in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, as Hungary and Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across Europe. Read more in our press release.
“Moves in the UK, Hungary, Georgia and beyond signal not just isolated regressions, but a coordinated global backlash aimed at erasing LGBTI rights, cynically framed as the defence of tradition or public stability, but in reality designed to entrench discrimination and suppress dissent.”
- Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director, ILGA-Europe
Malta has sat on top of the ranking for the last 10 years.
With 85 points, Belgium jumped to second place after adopting policies tackling hatred based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
Iceland now comes third place on the ranking with a score of 84.
The three Your privacy is vital to us. We want to be sure you perceive how and why we use your data. View our Privacy Statement for more details. This also includes communication on how we use cookies. Accept Criminalisation: Maximum punishment: Death penalty Criminalisation: Maximum punishment: Life imprisonment Criminalisation: Maximum punishment: Death by stoning Criminalisation: Maximum punishment: Eight years imprisonment and 100 lashes Criminalisation:LGBTQ+ Worldwide Travel Map
Country Comment Afghanistan Avoid travel. Death penalty or imprisonment is possible for for homosexual activity. Albania Would not suggest PDA, be careful in widespread. LGBT people are protected from discrimination but same sex unions are not recognised. Algeria No PDA in public, would not recommend travel. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Angola Would not suggest PDA, be careful in public, although a law is pending to make homosexuality legal. Same sex union is not recognised. Argentina General acceptance. Easier for homosexual women to be male lover than it is for men. Armenia Would not suggest PDA. Social acceptance is minimal: tradition and religion makes homosexuality taboo. Australia Complete acceptance in most areas, PDA is ok and queer marriage is legal. Austria Same sex marriage has been legal since 2019, Vienna is more tolerant than the rest of the country. Azerbaijan Would not suggest PDA, LGBT travellers should run-in no problems if they are discreet. Bangladesh No PDA in widespread, would not endorse travel. Belarus Would not offer PDA, be meticulous in public, Homophobia is r