The Safest and Most Dangerous Countries for LGBTQ Travelers in 2025
For LGBTQIA+ individuals traveling freely and without worry isn’t always as simple as it is for heterosexual travelers. In some countries, your identity can even pose significant risks. Thankfully, there are also destinations where who you love or how you live your life is embraced without judgment. In this guide, we highlight the safest and most dangerous countries for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Gay Travel Index (GTI) for 2024 by the LGBTQIA+ travel organization Spartacus evaluated 210 countries based on factors such as anti-discrimination laws, hate crime protections, sodomy laws, and Pride restrictions. The index assigns scores based on positive and negative points, resulting in an overall score. The higher the score, the more welcoming a country is for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Safest Countries for LGBTQIA+ Travelers in Europe
- Malta (1)
- Portugal (1)
- Spain (1)
- Switzerland (6)
- Denmark (8)
- Germany (8)
- Iceland (8)
- Norway (8)
- Austria (13)
- Finland (13)
- Ireland (13)
- Luxembourg (13)
- Sweden (13)
Portugal and Ireland climbed the rankings, while the United Kingdom and Belgium dropped out of the top 10. Although Estonia is still far from the top 10, it made the biggest leap, moving from 47th to 32nd place. This improvement is largely due to the Baltic state passing marriage equality legislation in 2023, becoming the first Eastern European country to grant same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals. Thanks to its ban on conversion therapy, Norway is another big winner this year, rising from 17th to 8th place.
The Safest Countries for LGBTQIA+ Travelers Globally
- Canada (2)
- New Zealand (1)
- Australia (6)
- Uruguay (8)
- Chile (13)
- Colombia (13)
- Taiwan (13)
- Argentina (21)
- Greenland (21)
- Réunion (21)
(The number in parentheses indicates the country’s global ranking.)
For the first time in the history of Spartacus' Gay Travel Index, which has existed since 2012, five countries share the top spot. Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Portugal join Malta as top destinations, closely followed by Switzerland and Australia.
Malta as a Role Model
While Eastern Europe remains relatively unsafe for LGBTQIA+ individuals, Western European countries dominate the rankings of the most LGBTQ-friendly nations. A standout leader is Malta, which, despite being a traditionally Catholic country, has transformed into a haven for LGBTQIA+ individuals. For the second consecutive year, Malta ranks at the top of the global list. Under a progressive government, Malta has made remarkable strides in LGBTQIA+ rights. Its constitution guarantees equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. In addition to topping the GTI rankings, the Rainbow Europe Index places Malta firmly in first place with a score of 89%, far ahead of second-place Belgium and Denmark, both scoring 76%. This marks Malta’s ninth year as a leader in LGBTQIA+ rights!
The Most Dangerous Countries for LGBTQIA+ Travelers in Europe
- Turkey (143)
- Poland (118)
- Georgia (109)
- Moldova (93)
- Hungary (93)
- Bulgaria (93)
- Lithuania (84)
- Kosovo (84)
- Serbia (70)
- Romania (70)
- North Macedonia (70)
- Monaco (70)
The Most Dangerous Countries for LGBTQIA+ Travelers Worldwide
- Saudi Arabia (210)
- Iran (210)
- Chechnya (210)
- Afghanistan (210)
- Yemen (209)
- Uganda (207)
- Somalia (207)
- Russia (205)
- Nigeria (205)
- United Arab Emirates (201)
- Qatar (201)
- Libya (201)
- Kuwait (201)
The Middle East remains one of the most dangerous regions for LGBTQIA+ individuals. In Saudi Arabia, for example, consensual same-sex relations between adults are punishable by death under the law. Uganda made the list this year after enacting a strict anti-LGBTQ law in 2023. Simply identifying as LGBTQIA+ is criminalized, a rarity according to Human Rights Watch. The law has drastically worsened conditions for LGBTQIA+ individuals, with punishments including life imprisonment without cause.
The most deteriorated country in 2024 is Russia, which further tightened its anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, labeling LGBTQIA+ identities as "extremist." Russia fell from 177th place in 2023 to 205th in 2024, ranking just above the bottom-tier countries of Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, which share last place at 210.
Spartacus evaluates countries using 18 categories, ranging from marriage equality to the death penalty for homosexuality. Countries are color-coded, with dark green representing the most liberal and queer-friendly nations, and red representing the most dangerous for LGBTQIA+ individuals to visit or live in. For 2024, the index introduced a new "Censorship" category, examining laws that regulate the display of rainbow flags or the distribution of LGBTQIA+-related books. The index also added 11 new countries, including Guinea, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Sudan, Tuvalu, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The index aims to balance the rights of local LGBTQIA+ communities with the needs of queer travelers. Spartacus recognizes that some travelers prefer destinations where LGBTQIA+ communities are accepted and celebrated, while others intentionally visit countries to engage in dialogue with oppressed local queer communities. This dual perspective informs the index’s comprehensive evaluation. View the full Gay Travel Index here.
