best countries for lgbt expats best countries for lgbt expats

Pride parades, in particular, have been widespread since at least 2012, with more than a dozen annual events. 2. The results are in and, according to the 12,000 people who took the survey, Portugal ranks top of all European countries when it comes to friendliness. Malta is a small archipelago with only five islands located in the Mediterranean off the southern coast of Italy. Despite having a tiny population, Iceland is culturally liberal and has one of the liveliest gay scenes. Many cities also hold their own pride events, complete with participation from local politicians. Malta has consistently ranked number one on the ILGA-Europe listing of countries promoting LGBT rights legislation since 2015. Other cities like Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and Scheveningen have multiple gay-friendly clubs, bars, and restaurants. In terms of protecting LGBTQ rights, several countries in the world now work tirelessly to bring about a fundamental transformation. 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. Working overseas brings many rewards, from the chance to experience new cultures to career advances. Unfortunately, not all news was good news for LGBTQ+ rights in the past year. The skyline of central Brussels, Belgium. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. CareersPartner With UsBecome A VendorBook Us For SpeakingRequest An InterviewSocial Responsibility, ExpatFinanceOffshoreGlobal CitizenEntrepreneurCryptocurrency, ABOUT CONTACT +1 (979) 966-6623. Belgium legalized same-sex sexual activity as early as 1795. The U.S. and Singapore. Besides having a rich culture and history, Spain has also been hailed as one of the most LGBT-safe countries in the world because of its anti-discrimination laws and policies for LGBT people. If you are planning to visit Canada and want to witness the vibe of its gay scene, make sure to be part of exciting events like the Whistler Pride & Ski Festival, Vancouver Pride, and Tremblant Gay Ski Week, amongst others. 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. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Expats in Vietnam can earn $78,000 annually on average. Our flagship service for entrepreneurs and investors, Use our decades of experience to invest in foreign real estate, Work exclusively with Mr. Andrew Henderson, Click here to see all our products and services. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been outlawed since 2003, the year Belgium legalized same-sex marriage. 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. 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. One that as an LGBT expat, you will be welcomed into with open arms. Even with the new president, the country has huge marches against homosexuality. Youll need to speak (or learn) Spanish to get around easily in Ecuador. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom stands for equal rights for the LGBT community. # Countries : WCIL RANK: Cost of Living vs USA: Cost of Living vs . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Discrimination of sexual orientation in employment and housing is illegal. Eventually, the country progressed to decriminalizing homosexuality in the year 1982. Photo: Milan Gonda /Shutterstock. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Not only was Argentina the first South American country to legalize gay marriage, theyve long had a law allowing civil unions. Portugal 5. The country ranks highly for sunshine hours (2250 per year), and how simple it is to pop back to the UK (or, more likely to have your friends and family come to see you!) To find out more about what makes Portugal one of the safest LGBTQ countries to live in, read our article: Is Portugal a good place to live for LGBT expats? It's a small city of 272,000 people, but, with easy access to both beaches and ski resorts, it offers the best of all worlds in terms of lifestyle . 74% are happy with their work-life . Are you someone who belongs to the LGBT community and are planning to relocate? Edmonton and Winnipeg also boast LGBTQIA+ scenes. 10. The gay scene in Denmark is thriving. All of this got us thinking. Afghanistan . New Zealands history of tolerance goes back to pre-colonial Mori times, although British colonization resulted in anti-sodomy laws. Expats can sponsor their partners. Over the past decade, various countries around the globe have been working steadily to implement laws that protect the LGBTQI+ community against discrimination in learning institutions, workplaces, and societies. Three of the main cities in the country still do make the top 100 LGBT city list according to NestPick, albeit lower than most European counterparts. In our research, we found many expats had successfully moved out of the U.S. and were thriving in their new homes. 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. The law is unclear on transgender rights, however. Portugal is a favorite of ours here at Nomad Capitalist for its friendliness towards investors and relative ease of achieving EU residence and potential for zero tax through non-habitual residence. 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. In general, Belgium displays an extremely high level of homosexual acceptance. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Argentina legalized same-sex marriage back in 2010, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so. Being the very first country in the world to legalize same-sex unions through registered partnerships back in 1989, Denmark truly has evolved into being a progressive and LGBTQ-friendly nation. There have since been several out-and-proud gay and transgender members of parliament. They also offer a Rentista program, which requires that you deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank or show $30,000 yearly income for two years. Trans adults can self-identify without a doctors statement. The small European nation also a great place for wine aficionados, as it is known for its white and sparkling wines. Information about same-sex relationships is included in sex education in the country. Here are the top 10 countries where expats are happiest with their work and personal lives in 2021. There are a number of countries in Asia that have retirement visas, Including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. So, retirement as an option in Singapore doesnt work. This article was written by Nomad Capitalist contributor Brian Greco, an experienced gay traveler, cultural explorer, and free-market advocate. Luxembourg legalized same-sex marriage in 2014, and its prime minister, Xavier Bettel, became the first European leader to marry a same-sex partner while in office. Now for Madridthe beating heart of gay Spain and arguably one of the world's most gay-friendly cities. Same-sex couples are eligible to apply for joint adoption. Brazil has had gay marriage since 2013 and hosts some of the worlds foremost gay pride parades, in addition to offering other opportunities of interest to nomads who are doing business in Latin America or want to work towards Brazilian residency and citizenship. The Netherlands is considered the most gay-friendly country in the world, according to Gallup, and it was also the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000. Dutch nationals may apply for gender-neutral passports. Portugal was one of the first European countries to approve gay marriage in 2010, and the Portuguese constitution bans discrimination of LGBTQ people. 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. Same-sex activity, marriage, and civil unions have been legalized in Malta. New Zealand. At first, we focused on five countries Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Belize, and Portugal. 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. New Zealand's constitution is LGBTQIA+ friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. . Between them they've traveled to all seven continents (including Sue's dream trip to Antarctica) and more than 50 countries. Brazil has been a bastion of gay life for decades as its well-known party-loving traditions of celebration and beach life in cities like Rio de Janeiro have attracted millions of LGBT nomads and travelers. Bruges (Brugge), Ghent (Gent), Lige, and Ostend (Oostende) all have an active gay nightlife. The region is very easily reached from the U.S. Hurricane season was one drawback in this area. 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). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Hungary. Though they may work for an LGBTQIA+ friendly organization, national laws can force expats to stay in or return to the closet. Paris is one of the world's most LGBTQ-friendly cities. Heres what we found: We love Portugal and were happy to see it pop up on the list. Theyll also enjoy equal social and tax benefits, including those relating to pensions, old age security, and bankruptcy protection. Scandinavia is the most liberal region in the world - by far. Besides Oslo, cities like Hemsedal, Trondheim, and Bergen are referred to as a few of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Here are InterNations' best and worst places for expats to live in 2022: The Top 10. Malta was one of the first nations in the world to prohibit sterilization and invasive surgery on intersex individuals. 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. Hong Kong Pride is held each November and attracts an estimated 10,000 people. The capital city of Reykjavk hosts the biggest pride events in the country and has gay bars, cafes, and other venues welcoming the LGBTQ community. Canada protects its LGBTQ community from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Now, workers and Antigua and Barbuda is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean Sea. Slovenia is part of the European Union and has decent healthcare. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1795, when the country was a French territory. As a result, their sexual orientation or gender identity might open them up to harassment or persecution. The Iberian Peninsula also ranked highly in . Homosexuality is still a criminal act in many countries, and there are a number of places where LGBTQIA+ rights are eroding. If we were a married straight couple, we could have entered Singapore after quarantining. There are NO gay communities. The LGBT community living in Afghanistan face both social and legal challenges. If work-life balance is top priority, Italy is a superb choice. If you move around the world by choice, consider helping those forced from their homes by conflict. A place that was LGBTQ-friendly, relatively inexpensive, politically stable, with good medical care, and that offered retirement visas? The Coronado beaches area. In addition, abortion is extremely restricted in Poland. Christophe Morin / Bloomberg via Getty Images. Hanoi, Vietnam. Explore the new Cheapest Countries to Live Index from Where can I Live + Cheapest places to live in Europe. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. The Dutch capital, often dubbed the gayway to Europe, has a vibrant LGBTQIA+ culture and caters to all appetites and fetishes. Alternatively, you may be entitled to stay in Ecuador as a real estate investor spending as little as $25,000. In particular, Mexico City legalized gay marriage in 2009 and is still the only place in the country to do so. Public health care is ranked fifth in the world by WHO, and if desired, private health insurance is very economical. With its good track record on gay rights, Ireland is a welcoming place for LGBT nomads looking to set up a base. One of the world's most popular expat destinations, Canada is the ideal place for gay expats. Anti-discrimination laws are also fairly weak. Often voted one of the best places to be an expat, progressive New Zealand also has a great record on LGBTQIA+ rights. Iceland, which legalized same-sex marriage back in 2010, was recently ranked as the happiest country for gay men. People from the LGBTQ+ community are allowed to serve openly in the Danish armed forces. Also, Italy is the most affordable place to live out of our top 12. The country is also progressive when it comes to trans rights; Taiwan plans on introducing a third gender on government documents in 2020. France. We create and implement bespoke, holistic strategies for successful investors and entrepreneurs to legally reduce their tax bills, diversify and protect their assets, become global citizens and maximize their freedom. You will only need to prove income equal to Slovenias basic monthly income of $1,000. And while the country had long been a socialist mess, it is improving these days, hopefully for good. Madrugada Verde/Shutterstock. Oslo Pride is the largest pride festival in the country and runs over nine days during June and July. If you are looking for a beach community, the Coronado beaches area is one of the most popular in Panama. People may change their gender on their driving license or passport with a statutory declaration; however, doing the same on a birth certificate requires proof of medical treatment towards transition. Further to registered partnerships, the country legalized same-sex marriage in 2012. Pride Amsterdam, with its canal parade, is the largest, and attracts some 350,000 people each August. The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 77% of Belgians thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 20% disagreed. With the transition toward democracy after the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 came the first political generation of activists who believed in the rights and liberation of people in Spanish colonies as well as marginalized communities in Spain. The following year, the same poll threw up similar results, though 74% of respondents agreed that same-sex couples should have the same or some rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Getty Images. Partners of expats may apply for either a spousal or life partner permit for South Africa. 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. There are tons of historical and cultural attractions to keep you busy. Here are the most gay-friendly countries that can also satisfy the needs of a Nomad Capitalist. The country is staunchly Catholic, and believes in heterosexual relationships, just like the language has male and female. An expat may sponsor their partner, but must at least have permanent residence. Spain has since transformed itself into one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries to live in the world. Same-sex marriage was legalized in France in 2013. Ireland. 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 . Dublin, Ireland. Also no. 10. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Lisbon and Porto, as they are areas with the greatest diversity, are the ones where you will feel most comfortable expressing yourself. LGBT people from across the country assemble in Copenhagen yearly to participate in the Copenhagen Pride Parade and more pride festivals. Portugal makes it easy to apply for a resident visa. Since 1996, the country has also banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. You can apply for a residence permit of at least two years if your spouse holds a permanent residential address. In this article, we take a look at the 10 best countries for expats. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005 (although the worlds first gay marriages took place in Toronto in 2001). Couples enjoy the same rights as opposite-sex couples; they can adopt, and lesbians have access to in vitro fertilization. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Puerto Vallarta has been an expat haven for over 60 years. Countries like Russia have had their share of publicized issues around crime or blackmailing of LGBT individuals. The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling . Portugal. Singapore doesnt recognize gay marriage. Since 2009, the country has recognized and legalized same-sex marriage and ensured adoption rights for LGBT people. Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris 1. While we were hoping to avoid winter entirely, Portugal has a Mediterranean climate and has very mild winters. Often cited as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, Iceland takes pride in having liberal LGBT rights. The 1996 constitution banned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; LGBTQIA+ people have been able to marry since 2007. John Powell, once a purchasing agent in New York, moved to Hanoi in 2014. Puerto Vallarta: An Expat Haven by the Sea. France: the good life, for families and retirees. It is important to be oneself but also to remember to stay aware of all the goings-on in whatever country your nomadic lifestyle brings you to, and aim to look for the positive wherever one goes. The Auckland, New Zealand skyline on May 28, 2015, Aerial view of Johannesburg, South Africa, Jose Fuste Raga / JTB Photo/UIG via Getty Images. GLOBAL CITIZEN SOLUTIONS UNIPESSOAL LIMITADA | NIPC 516027212 AMI 17987 | . Donate to the UN Refugee Agencytoday. Name(Required) Email(Required) The cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City are very gay friendly. 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. We wrote recently of our top recommendation for single women. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Portugal offers certain perks that make it more accessible to entrepreneurial people rather than its more bureaucratic neighbors, and its gay rights record and gay life in major cities like Lisbon and Porto is likewise vibrant. Answer (1 of 25): In many nations, homosexuality remains a criminal act, and there are a number of locations where LGBT+ rights are being eroded. Children can change their gender. The majority of the society in Iceland is in support of same-sex marriage and the protection of LGBT rights. A view of the skyline in the Northern part of Dublin, Ireland, on April 19, 2015. 1. 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. There are many possibilities in Latin and South America. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The beautiful city of Lisbon has some of the most attractive, fun, and gay-friendly neighborhoods for LGBT people. In 2015, Bettel became the first European Union leader to wed a same-sex partner. Today, children of same-sex couples enjoy all the rights and freedoms that all children of heterosexual couples generally possess. 1. Amsterdam has a reputation as a very LGBT-friendly city. Learn from our R&D playbook and meet like-minded people at our annual event. If you decide to stay for a while, an Argentine passport is one of the best passports in the world. Former Prime Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen also participated in the pride events held in the country. The Marais . Owing to all these interventions, Canada is often called the most gay-friendly country in the world. Ireland. Christophe Morin / Bloomberg via Getty Images. If you would like to relocate to Portugal and acquire residency, you can apply for the Portugal D7 Visa an attractive program for non-EU citizens that gives applicants the opportunity to become permanent residents in Portugal. Madrid has seen the third-highest attendance in history for a pride festival after New York and So Paulo, with 3,500,000 visitors attending in 2017. In 2021, the reputed data research platform, Statista, ranked Canada as the safest country for LGBTQ to travel to. Ireland is one of the most well-regarded and well-loved countries in Europe and offers incentives not only on the entrepreneurial side but also for a friendly and welcoming gay scene. You'll pay about 3 for a bottle of beer. Singapore, Singapore. 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. Transgender people may not change legal documents to reflect their identities without gender-confirmation surgery, according to a February 2019 ruling. Over 75% of New Zealanders accept homosexuality. In all, International Living correspondents have highlighted 13 gay-friendly destinations in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asiaideal for vacation or retirement. However, 24% of South Africans believe that people in same-sex relationships are criminals. We have written before on cities to check out and not ignore if doing business here and gay and straight travelers alike may choose to take advantage of the opportunities in these growing Brazilian urban centers. It is one of the least welcoming parts of Europe for LGBTQ+ people; by 2020, around 100 Polish towns and regions had declared themselves free from "LGBT ideology.". In addition, we address the best LGBT-friendly destinations featured in our brand-new, just-released 2015 Retire Overseas Index. Conversion therapy a treatment that aims to change the sexual orientation of people, has been banned in the country. Among this openness is one of the most thriving gay communities on the continent and a great gay life in the capital city of Brussels, as well as a generally pro-business and pro-foreigner environment. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Other possibilities in South America include Mexico, Chile, and Peru. We have written earlier about residency in Malta with the Global Resident Programme which is one of the many strategies Malta is using to attract investors and nomads from around the world to spend time in this beautiful destination and enjoy its culture and business opportunities.