If you move around the world by choice, consider helping those forced from their homes by conflict. Explore the new Cheapest Countries to Live Index from Where can I Live + Cheapest places to live in Europe. France. Portugal was one of the first European countries to approve gay marriage in 2010, and the Portuguese constitution bans discrimination of LGBTQ people. 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. It is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, with everything from beaches to volcanos to wildlife and other adventures. Same-sex activity, marriage, and civil unions have been legalized in Malta. New Orleans, Louisiana. The rise of anti-LGBTQIA+ political parties notwithstanding, Spain is one of the most culturally liberal places for gay people. The Auckland, New Zealand skyline on May 28, 2015, Aerial view of Johannesburg, South Africa, Jose Fuste Raga / JTB Photo/UIG via Getty Images. Other possibilities in South America include Mexico, Chile, and Peru. 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. Since 1996, the country has also banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Fortunately for the aspiring expat, there's a wealth of countries where it's safe to work and live out, as you'll see from Expatiation's list of the to. According to Numbeo, Croatia's crime score is 17.97 out of 100, and its average safety score is 84.2 out of 100. Costa Rica has affordable private healthcare, and the cost of living is much lower than in the U.S. and most of Europe. Copyright 2012-2023, Nomad Capitalist Limited. LGBTQ culture is also very visible in the Scandinavian country -- Pride in Oslo is one of Norway's largest events, and the city is also home to one of the world's best gay choirs. Cities like Oulu, Jyvskyl, Turku, Tampere, Rovaniemi, and Lappeenranta are also open to the LGBTQ community, and each organizes its own pride events. Portugal: the best destination for remote workers and digital nomads. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Well send our best articles, videos, and exclusive content right to your inbox. Located on the west coast of South America, this country known for its eternal spring climate, has the Andes Mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, and beaches to offer. Nearly 90 percent of Spain's citizens believe lesbian and gay people should be accepted, according to Pew Research Center, and Gallup has Spain tied with the Netherlands as the number one country for gay people. Other cities like Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and Scheveningen have multiple gay-friendly clubs, bars, and restaurants. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It has also enacted laws that specifically protect the rights of intersex people. We recommend consulting with your tax accountants about the implications before making any plans. United Arab Emirates . Here, Brits can enjoy warm weather, a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities and an active outdoor lifestyle when it's not too hot. The spaces mentioned above embody one of the secrets of LGBTQ life in not-so-friendly places the communities are usually quite bonded and highly supportive of one another, making Georgia, at least in safe bubbles, one of the most gay friendly places in Eastern Europe. Taipei Gay Pride is the largest in Asia, with an estimated 80,000 people attending each year each October. LGBTQ activism ramped up in the 1990s with the Spanish Gay Rights Movement, which helped modernize world-famous cities like Barcelona. Courtesy Of: Julius Silver. The government announced that people may change their legal gender without surgery; no policy is in place, however. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Between them they've traveled to all seven continents (including Sue's dream trip to Antarctica) and more than 50 countries. A 2018 recognition of spousal visas for same-sex couples by the Court of Final Appeal raised the hopes of expats looking to move to Asias financial hub. The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling . Lisbon is without a doubt the best city for an LGBTQ+ person to live in. Under the Equal Treatment Act, LGBT people are protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The residence permit may be renewed for 2 years twice after which you will be eligible for the long duration residence. Visit our blog: Malta for LGBT: The Ultimate Guide, to learn more about the countrys progressive stance regarding LGBTQ rights. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Thats the main reason we didnt go in 2020. 10. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Most gay travel blogs will warn travelers and nomads to steer clear of certain regions as the worst countries in the world for gay people. Serving as a major contrast to its regional neighbors, at least on a legal level, gay nomads looking for a base in the Middle East might look to Israel. You can skip our detailed analysis of the expat community and go directly to the 10 Best Countries for Expats. The government in Finland recognized homosexuality in 1971, and ten years later, it was removed as a registered illness from government records. Norway is said to be among the most trans-friendly countries and has one of the best gay scenes in the world. France was ranked #21 on HSBC's list of best countries for expats, but Paris in particular boasts an incredibly active LGBTQ community, particularly when it comes to nightlife in Le Marais. 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. Since 2006, same-sex couples in Finland have had access to IVF and artificial insemination. But Paris' Le Marais boasts the biggest LGBTQ community. Amsterdam has a reputation as a very LGBT-friendly city. Singapore doesnt recognize gay marriage. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. It has also been a leader in enacting laws expanding transgender rights, including one passed in 2009 that allows trans people to change official documents to match their gender identity. Due to a political environment that favors an equal ecosystem for all its citizens, same-sex adoptions, same-sex relationships, and marriage has been recognized and legalized in the country. France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013 and was the first country in the world to de-list transgender identification as a mental illness. That said, here's a list of LGBTQ-friendly countries for expats. 10 Best Countries for Expats. New Zealands constitution is LGBTQIA+ friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. Norway has given adoption rights to married as well as committed same-sex couples. Canada. Luckily for the aspiring expat, theres a wealth of countries where its safe to work and live out in the open, as youll see from Expaticas list of the top 10 LGBTQIA+ friendly countries for expats. To ensure the same rights for the LGBT community as heterosexual couples, the Icelandic government decriminalized same-sex sexual activity in 1940. Charming, Old World capital-city Ljubljana is the heart of the country, both literally and figuratively. Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 24, 2016. 1. In 2001, the Netherlands became one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Progressive laws, policies, and interventions coupled with a liberal public and political outlook guarantee the rights and freedom of the LGBTQI+ community. 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. Puerto Vallarta: An Expat Haven by the Sea. Its capital, Montevideo, is the countrys most gay-friendly city and is listed as one of the top gay destinations in the Spartacus International Gay Guide. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you decide to stay for a while, an Argentine passport is one of the best passports in the world. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. New Zealand has a reasonably sized scene that extends across the country. Home Ultimate Guides The Ten Most LGBTQ-Friendly Countries in the World. 10. New Zealand and France banned conversion therapy in early 2022. Same-sex expat couples living in Spain have a number of legal rights when they register their partnership. Owing to its liberal culture and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is often called one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Our strategies help serve clients of many backgrounds all around the world who are looking to find freedom in a low-tax, high-flexibility nomad lifestyle. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1795, when the country was a French territory. 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. The city is home to an annual pride parade. By criminalizing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace, educational institutions, and healthcare services, the Government of Finland does its utmost to protect its LGBTQ+ communities. If you and your partner are in a relationship, marriage, or civil union, Portugal can be one of the most LGBTQI+-friendly countries in the world to live in. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Even the most pro-gay countries can have the off person with the off remark or look, and even the most anti-gay countries may be filled with people who would totally surprise you. After three years, you can apply for permanent residency. Same-sex couples in Portugal can adopt children owing to the legalization of adoption for gay marriage in 2016. COVID paused that last year. Although LGBTQIA+ people may not be legally hindered in their access to government services, campaigners say discrimination is widespread. A view of the skyline in the Northern part of Dublin, Ireland, on April 19, 2015. Lisbon and Porto, as they are areas with the greatest diversity, are the ones where you will feel most comfortable expressing yourself. Hong Kong Pride is held each November and attracts an estimated 10,000 people. Besides Oslo, cities like Hemsedal, Trondheim, and Bergen are referred to as a few of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Jeff Overs / BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images. Malta Digital Nomad Visa [sc name="year" ][/sc] Everything You Need to Know, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Citizenship by Investment, ST KITTS AND NEVIS Citizenship by Investment. Anti-discrimination laws are also fairly weak. Gallup ranked Denmark among the Top Places for Gay People to Live in the world, and Copenhagen, its capital, was listed among the top cities for expats. The nation has prohibited discrimination against the LGBTQ community based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Panama, for example, made same-sex adoption illegal in March 2021. Even with all the struggle the community put in, homosexuality wasn't decriminalized until eight years later. Best and worst countries for expats. A place that was LGBTQ-friendly, relatively inexpensive, politically stable, with good medical care, and that offered retirement visas? Ireland is one of the best countries for Americans to move to. Among these individuals are many LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender travelers whose sexual orientation or gender identity is often not accepted by the society around them. More than 544,000 expats of 196 different . There are 24 LGBT Friendly Places in Germany like Berlin, Dresden and Munich with an average cost of living of $3,921/month, internet speeds up to 80 Mbps and temperatures ranging from -1C to 5C. You need to have a clean criminal record to be eligible to be interviewed for a permanent resident permit.