For LGBTQ+ people, the right country is not just about cost or weather. It is about whether you can live openly, hold your partner’s hand in the street, have your relationship and family recognised, and feel genuinely welcome. The EU is among the most accepting regions in the world, but acceptance still varies a lot between members. This guide ranks all 27.
What makes a country welcoming
- Legal recognition: marriage or partnership rights, and protections for families.
- Anti-discrimination law: protection at work and in daily life.
- Everyday acceptance: how comfortable and visible LGBTQ+ life feels day to day, especially outside the big cities.
All 27 EU countries, most welcoming first
Here is where MoveMap’s model rates each EU country for how welcoming it is to LGBTQ+ residents (illustrative scores only):
| Country | LGBTQ+ friendly* |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 92 |
| Denmark | 90 |
| Sweden | 90 |
| Malta | 88 |
| Belgium | 85 |
| Finland | 85 |
| Ireland | 85 |
| Spain | 85 |
| Germany | 82 |
| Luxembourg | 82 |
| France | 78 |
| Portugal | 78 |
| Austria | 70 |
| Czechia | 62 |
| Estonia | 62 |
| Italy | 58 |
| Slovenia | 58 |
| Cyprus | 55 |
| Greece | 55 |
| Croatia | 48 |
| Lithuania | 48 |
| Latvia | 45 |
| Poland | 45 |
| Slovakia | 45 |
| Hungary | 42 |
| Romania | 42 |
| Bulgaria | 40 |
Cities and country are not the same
Even in less accepting countries, capital cities are often open and vibrant, while in very welcoming countries some rural areas can feel more conservative. Local community, your workplace and the specific city you choose can matter as much as the national average, so use the ranking to compare countries, then look closely at where you would actually live.
Match it to what you need
How much this weighs against cost, career or climate is yours to decide. The MoveMap check can factor an open and accepting environment into a ranking of all 27 EU countries built around your priorities.