The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". According to the Anholt-GMI "National Brands Index . The Pensionado program allows you to live in Costa Rica for three years as long as you can show that you have $12,000 in yearly income for the rest of your life (social security or a pension satisfies this requirement). Finally, in 1999, the first gay pride march took place in Lisbon. In Croatia, an 18-point jump took place in those who feel their area is a good place for gay people to live in 2014. If you can demonstrate income earned from outside of the country, you can obtain residence in Argentina. The country legalized same-sex sexual activity in 1969. The most progressive country when it comes to liberation and freedom, France, is one of the best countries for gay expats. The residence permit may be renewed for 2 years twice after which you will be eligible for the long duration residence. The reception of gay travelers and expats varies according to the region of Portugal. Consequently, Buenos Aires is one of the most gay-friendly places in South America. Malta beats out 48 other countries with a score of 90% when ranked on LGBTQIA+ friendly policies and lifestyle acceptance. 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. Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland tend to top any poll of LGBT-friendly nations, occasionally swapping places but rarely giving way to any other nation. The country has hate crime laws in place to protect the LGBTQ community. For such a small nation that is still relatively unvisited by the traditional tourist track, Malta has advanced LGBT rights. IE 11 is not supported. In addition, we address the best LGBT-friendly destinations featured in our brand-new, just-released 2015 Retire Overseas Index. The small European nation also a great place for wine aficionados, as it is known for its white and sparkling wines. Afghanistan . 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. 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. Singapore does not recognize dual citizenship, so Reggie has permanent residency which allows her to stay in the U.S. At the same time, the mood in the U.S. around immigrants and the Asian community has been less than welcoming. These include adoption, automatic parenthood recognition on birth certificates, inheritance tax, rights to survivor pensions, recognition for immigration purposes, equal treatment for tax purposes including inheritance tax and protection from domestic violence. Transgender rights include permission for people to change their gender on the basis of self-determination. Also, cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Liege are a few places that you shouldnt miss. Bahrain: laidback lifestyle, best for wage growth. Homosexuality is still a criminal act in many countries, and there are a number of places where LGBTQIA+ rights are eroding. Often voted one of the best places to be an expat, progressive New Zealand also has a great record on LGBTQIA+ rights. The only African country on this list, for now, South Africa also has an interesting relationship with the issue of gay rights. In all, International Living correspondents have highlighted 13 gay-friendly destinations in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asiaideal for vacation or retirement. Edmonton and Winnipeg also boast LGBTQIA+ scenes. In 2018, 27-year old LGBTQIA+ activist Angela Ponce became the firsttransgenderwoman tocompete in the Miss Universe contest, where she received a standing ovation. France. Lisbon and Porto, as they are areas with the greatest diversity, are the ones where you will feel most comfortable expressing yourself. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the expat community, go directly to the 25 Best . Transgender rights in Argentina are among the most advanced worldwide. If you belong to the LGBT community and are interested in relocating to an LGBTQ-friendly nation, the above list will help you to decide. Spain ranked 11th in Europe for same-sex rights in 2019, with full equality at about 60%. Panama, for example, made same-sex adoption illegal in March 2021. "France is often cited as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world," says Tuula Rampont, IL France Correspondent. Gay Madrid. Copyright 2012-2023, Nomad Capitalist Limited. John Powell, once a purchasing agent in New York, moved to Hanoi in 2014. Located between Brazil and Argentina, this modern, progressive yet laid-back country is very LGBTQ+ retiree friendly. In May 2019, a local pastor also moved the High Court, arguing that the ban hinders his congregations freedom to worship. Individuals from the transgender community have been given legal permission to change their gender on official documents without undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Eventually, the country progressed to decriminalizing homosexuality in the year 1982. A bonus would be if it were easy to travel to from the U.S. and Singapore. Here are ten countries where LGBT rights are most threatened. Anti-discrimination laws are also fairly weak. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. What do you think makes a nation truly LGBTQI+-friendly? 2. A number of LGBTQ advocates threatened to leave the US should Donald Trump be elected. Here are some of the most gay-friendly countries you can live, work and invest in if you belong to the LGBT community. Homosexuality, gay marriage, adoption, and gay marriage are legal in the Netherlands. Adoption by same-sex couples has been legalized in the country. Civil servants may refuse to solemnize civil unions if they object on grounds of conscience, religion, or belief. Uruguay and Argentina are also state donors to the Global Equality Fund. 1. Like neighboring Spain, there is a thriving gay life in this Western European nation (as well as being known for particularly beautiful and fun-loving people). Pro Tip: Unfortunately, a downside to retiring in Slovenia is that residents are taxed globally. Gay South Africa competitions. Are these laws always enforced? 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. If you are traveling to Spain, make sure to visit Barcelona, Madrid, and Granada. Buenos Aires, Argentina. All rights reserved. Pride parades occur across the country each summer with participation from regional and national politicians; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became the countrys first head of government to take part in Pride Toronto in 2016. Transgender people may not change legal documents to reflect their identities without gender-confirmation surgery, according to a February 2019 ruling. Check out the cheapest places in the world to live for Expats. Mexico 2. Its also possible for non-EU/EEA nationals who are authorized to stay in Belgium to sponsor their partners on a Belgian family reunification visa. Famed for its tulips, windmills, and revolutionary football - plus its 23 million bicycles, which outnumber people - the Netherlands is the second-best place in the world for women. A third gender on legal documents has yet to be introduced. The 1996 constitution banned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; LGBTQIA+ people have been able to marry since 2007. Couples enjoy the same rights as opposite-sex couples; they can adopt, and lesbians have access to in vitro fertilization. Same-sex couples can adopt or use surrogacy services. Yet, not everyone here is LGBTQIA+ friendly. This article is just to get you thinking and imagining. Auckland, New Zealand. Canada is also home to Vancouver and Toronto, two of the worlds best cities for expats, according to a recent report. This country is no stranger to conflict in the region both on a religious and political basis and its society general seeks to uphold the rights of LGBT individuals even despite some tensions that might be felt with more orthodox/conservative religious influences. In a 2013 poll by the University of Hong Kong, 33.3% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with 43% opposed. We recommend consulting with your tax accountants about the implications before making any plans. Croatia legalized same-sex adoptions in May 2021. Are you someone who belongs to the LGBT community and are planning to relocate? New Orleans, known for its historic French Quarter, is a "haven" for the LBGT community due to its "abundance . Like other Nordic nations, Norway has been acknowledged as one of the safest countries for LGBTQ to live in. Taiwan 4. In numbers, the survey shows that 74% of expatriates answered are generally satisfied with their jobs and 71% of them are content about their work-life balance in Vietnam. Hundreds of couples have since tied the knot, although same-sex marriage is restricted to couples where at least one partner is Taiwanese. All of this got us thinking. Digital nomad. Its also the home to more than 30 national parks, the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and tango. Lesbians have access to in vitro fertilization treatments. Did you know that Lonely Planet an Australian travel guide and book publisher included Iceland in its rank of the Top Ten Gay Wedding Destinations? No wonder the country is placed on lists of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. Religious solemnizations of same-sex marriages have been performed since the 1960s. For a Catholic country, Spain is extremely LGBTQIA+ friendly. With more than 90 percent of the Dutch population supporting same-sex marriage, the Netherlands has emerged as one of the gayest countries in the world in 2023. New Zealand. 57% are positive about transgender people and gender diversity, according to a 2017 study by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research. If you move around the world by choice, consider helping those forced from their homes by conflict. According to a report in 2021 by the Williams Institute that surveyed people from across 175 countries, it was observed that the average acceptance level for the LGBTQ community has significantly increased since the 1980s. The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 77% of Belgians thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 20% disagreed. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Norway is said to be among the most trans-friendly countries and has one of the best gay scenes in the world. One can focus their efforts on where they are treated best and be aware in their travels when a country or culture is not always welcoming. Since 2006, same-sex couples in Finland have had access to IVF and artificial insemination. The country also has some of the strongest protections for trans people anywhere. Many aspects of the country including its friendly people and English competency make it easy to do business, get urban amenities, and live a high standard of living for much lower costs than someone might be used to in the Western world. Since we were interested in being somewhere between Singapore and the East Coast of the U.S., we first began looking at European locations. If you are looking for a beach community, the Coronado beaches area is one of the most popular in Panama. Residential properties stand on the city skyline in Reykjavik, Iceland, on April 7, 2016. "In 2013, it became the thirteenth country to legalize gay marriage and several laws have been passed in recent years which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Though the country doesn't legally recognize same-sex couples, Thailand is extremely accepting. The city is also very welcoming to expats and has a thriving nightlife and cultural scene. According to the Eurobarometer (2019), 91 percent of Spanish citizens were of the opinion that gay and bisexual people should have all rights and freedoms as that of their heterosexual counterparts. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Taipei Gay Pride is the largest in Asia, with an estimated 80,000 people attending each year each October. 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. Be prepared to learn to speak French if you dont already. Transgender rights are highly advanced in Belgium, where individuals may change their legal gender without surgery. Art, culture, food, history France has everything. Best countries to live for expats. Canadian citizens have been permitted to change their gender prior to any gender reassignment surgery. Dutch LGBTQIA+ support groups have a countrywide network; there are also specific organizations that support refugees. Gay pride in Spain is unparalleled by any other country in Europe. The rise of anti-LGBTQIA+ political parties notwithstanding, Spain is one of the most culturally liberal places for gay people. Now for Madridthe beating heart of gay Spain and arguably one of the world's most gay-friendly cities. The region is very easily reached from the U.S. Hurricane season was one drawback in this area. Cape Town has a reputation for the best gay scene in Africa; it hosts plenty of summer events, including Mother City Queer Project and Cape Town Pride. The government in Iceland has included sexual orientation in the nations anti-discrimination laws. In 2010, it became the first country in Latin America and the tenth in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, a milestone for a Catholic country anywhere. 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. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Scandinavian country since 2009, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination has been banned since the 80s. Ecuador is another of our favorite countries. 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.