Best country for gays to live

Same-sex marriage is legal and the country has a very welcoming social environment. This plan should encompass everything from securing residency or citizenship and dealing with tax implications to finding suitable housing and healthcare options.

Here at Nomad Capitalist, we help high-net-worth individuals to retire abroad absolutely worry-free. These cities not only host vibrant Pride events but also offer various LGBTQ+-friendly social venues, providing expats with ample opportunities to connect with the community.

Read more about Diversity and Inclusion in Portugal.

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Ireland

Ireland stands as a beacon of progress for LGBTQ+ rights, making it a top choice for LGBTQ+ expats.

Finding an LGBTQ community is the gateway to feeling seen and accepted in your home away from home. I’ve never spent time in a place where queer culture felt so ingrained in my everyday life (maybe with the exception of my home country of the UK) and in my personal experience, it seemed to be one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world.

I felt like I could be my proudest, most bold queer self while in Mexico, and that's why I’m pretty certain I’ll end up back there one day.

From a legal perspective, there are strong anti-discrimination laws in place to protect queer residents from hate crimes, and transgender rights are also pretty progressive.

But we assume that as a high-net-worth individual, you still want your money to work to your benefit. Retirees will find the country very affordable, even with household help.

The Netherlands

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage (in 2001) also banned discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics in 2019.

You must invest at least US$1.25 million in a Dutch company or a government-approved fund. You just need to prove that you receive US$260 each month, and you get a one-year visa with the possibility to renew it for two more years.

7. South Africa

And the last country on our Nomad Capitalist list of LGBT-friendly countries is South Africa.

Gay marriage and adoption laws for same sex couples came into force in January 2025 — it’s only the 38th country to do so in the entire world and the first in Southeast Asia.

I’ve also heard that Porto is a great place for LGBTQ+ nomads and expats but I only spent a weekend there, so I can’t say whether or not that’s true.

If you’re planning to make Italy your forever home, it’s worth seriously considering whether you’re comfortable with the level of legal rights and protection afforded to LGBTQ+ residents.

That’s probably why 25% of people living in Switzerland are foreigners.

Business Environment

At Nomad Capitalist, we’ve been keeping a close eye on Switzerland for a long time. They chose Sitges, a vibrant, walkable beach town about 45 minutes from Barcelona.

The project is relatively new, but coverage on the searchable map is constantly expanding, so you’re likely to find at least a couple of places to check out in your area.

The Netherlands came in first, which may be related to the fact that an estimated 12% of the country’s population identify as LGBTQIA+. Same-sex marriage is legal, non-binary gender is recognised and housing discrimination is prohibited.

South Africa proudly holds the 27th position as the most LGBTQ-friendly country in the world, trespassing many other Western countries like Portugal and Italy.

In addition to LGBTQ rights, South Africa also has a plethora of gay scenes where you can be yourself.

LGBTQ Rights

South Africa is the only African country that decided to legalise same-sex marriage, and in terms of legal rights, it’s a great place for LGBTQ+ people.

Portugal 

Portugal is one of the most accepting countries in the world, for both LGBTQ+ people and people of color.

I spent three months living in Lisbon as a digital nomad and absolutely fell in love with it. Not bad, right? 

Besides, if you decide to take Swedish citizenship one day, you’ll win a lucky ticket.

What else do you need for a perfect place to live?

In terms of cost of living, you’ll indeed spend less than in the U.S., Canada or Australia, but the overall sum will depend on your lifestyle. They were eighth in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and research shows that the vast majority of the population support it.

And you can be old and gay here, which you can’t be in L.A.,” Young says, not entirely joking.

Below, we recommend some beautiful and culturally rich countries where LGBTQ folks can retire happily and safely. We guess that’s why people in Sweden live up to 82 years.

Yes, it is quite expensive to live there, but the quality of life you may have is one of the highest worldwide.

What you should keep in mind is that opening an offshore banking account in Argentina comes with plenty of obstacles.