When you’re traveling or settling down in a new country, there are so many challenges. Moving to a new place doesn’t just cause you to step out of your comfort zone; you’ll be diving off at the deep end, and into unknown waters. While new experiences and cultures can be fun and exciting, safety and respect are also paramount.
At Remitly, we know that many of our customers are global citizens who travel frequently and many call a foreign country home. If you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community, we’re here to support and celebrate you. In this post, we highlight six destinations that are reputed as transgender-friendly locations, plus the legal protections and cultural aspects that support the trans community.
Safe and respectful transgender-friendly countries
According to recent statistics, 81% of travelers consider safety when picking a destination. While choosing safe destinations to travel to and live in is of course paramount for anyone, it’s all the more important if you’re part of a historically marginalized or minority group. If you or a loved one identifies as transgender and you’re looking to travel or move to a new country, read on.
Importance of choosing safe destinations
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to prioritize safety when traveling or moving to a new place. Here are some of the considerations that might be at the front of your mind:
- Physical safety. A physically safe environment will help you relax and enjoy your trip or settle into your new life with security. Physical safety might extend to access to healthcare or emergency services if you ever need them.
- Mental wellness. It’s not just about physical safety; making sure you feel safe in a destination will put your mind at ease. This means that you won’t have to constantly battle negative feelings like anxiety, frustration, anger, or sadness, and may help you avoid the worst effects of homesickness.
- Positive experiences. When you feel safe, you’re more likely to have a positive experience. This could be related to your increased ability to go out of your comfort zone in your relationships, your social life, and work.
- Safety measures. How a foreign culture and society view and recognize you as an individual and as a representative of a potentially foreign culture or society can impact your experience. It really matters how systems like healthcare and policing respond when you need them.
- Personal risk mitigation. Understanding whether or not a destination is safe according to your own personal standards obviously involves some research. Being aware of potential threats or challenges will help you feel more safe and secure as you experience a new destination.
Overview of transgender rights
The European Court of Justice includes people who have had gender reassignment or gender-affirming procedures or care when interpreting discrimination on the basis of “sex.” This means that all EU laws that protect against sex discrimination apply to transgender people.
That said, transgender rights across the European Union are varied. Some countries are making strides to explicitly protect transgender people, while other countries lag behind. Here’s how Europe breaks down in terms of some of the most important social pillars:
- Legal recognition of gender. Many EU countries have laws that support gender recognition in terms of hormone treatment, gender-affirming surgeries, and self-determination.
- Discrimination protection. Right now, many EU countries are relying on the blanket protection against sexual discrimination, which tacitly includes transgender people. However, some countries are taking action explicitly to protect individuals based on gender identity.
- Healthcare. Gender-affirming healthcare continues to be a debated topic in Europe. Some countries offer full access, while others don’t.
- Conversion practices. This term refers to practices that are driven by the false idea that sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender and sexual expression can be changed. These practices disproportionately affect and target transgender individuals. Conversion practices are legally banned in several EU countries.
- Education. Some countries have specific protections for transgender people in academic institutions.
- Free movement. EU law states that all member nations must recognize any changes to legal names and gender markers that have been made in other EU member states. This allows transgender individuals to move freely through Europe.
- Hate speech and other hate crimes. Hate speech and gender- or sexuality-based crimes continue to be a concern in some countries.
Top six transgender-friendly countries
Now that we’ve touched on what transgender rights—and potential concerns—are like in Europe, let’s explore some destinations to which you might prioritize travel or relocation.
Sweden: comprehensive transgender rights
Sweden has always been a leader in transgender rights in Europe and on a global scale. In 1972, Sweden became the first country to allow legal gender change, and updated that law in 2024 as part of an ongoing process to streamline gender-affirming bureaucratic processes. The country also was the first to declassify cross-dressing as an illness or affliction.
Malta: leading with inclusive policies
Malta in general is a very tolerant country, and it has robust protections for the transgender community. For example, it’s possible to change your legal sex in Malta without any associated medical interventions, like surgery or sterilization. The country also recognizes non-binary individuals and has legally banned surgeries on intersex infants.
Iceland: strong, supportive community
In Iceland, gender autonomy laws mean that transgender individuals are able to change their legal name and gender without any medical interventions. If someone is under the age of 18, they can make these changes with parental consent. Public and private bodies in Iceland must offer the option of identifying your gender as neutral on documents and forms and in databases.
Netherlands: pioneering LGBTQ+ rights
The Netherlands is another country that champions the LGBTQ+ community. For example, in 2001 the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Here, transgender people can change their legal gender without any medical interventions. However, a specialist’s letter is required.
Denmark: progressive policies
Denmark has adopted progressive policies similar to those in other liberal countries. Along similar lines to Iceland, Danes over the age of 18 can self-determine their own gender identity without medical or psychiatric evaluation. This includes the ability to mark “X” as a neutral identity option on legal documents, like passports.
Spain: a supportive environment
Since 1995, gender discrimination in employment has been banned in Spain. Based on EU law, this protection extends to transgender individuals. In 2023, Spain’s “Ley Trans” was passed, allowing individuals over the age of 16 to access gender-affirming treatment or change their legal gender without medical diagnosis or intervention. The law also protects the rights of minors ages 12–16 to change their legal gender with permission from a parent or a judge.
Gender identity and the law
In many European countries, transgender individuals are protected by any and all laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. A handful of countries, though, have taken it further, with explicit measures designed to protect the transgender community. For example, some countries protect asylum-seekers that have emigrated from their home countries on the basis of gender identity.
The Rainbow Map from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) shows the current status of LGBTQ+ rights across Europe.
Legal recognition and gender identity
Many countries in Europe now legally recognize the gender identity of transgender individuals. All six on our list recognize transgender identities. Other countries with transgender-inclusive or specific laws for recognition include Belgium, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Finland, Croatia, Luxembourg, Ireland, Greece, and Switzerland.
Same-sex marriage and partnerships
As of January of this year, 22 European countries have legalized same-sex marriage. Those countries include all six featured in this article, plus Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Social and cultural acceptance
Legal protections are one thing, but how a culture behaves is separate from what’s in the law books. The truth is that social and cultural acceptance of transgender individuals remains varied across Europe. So if your heart is set on relocating, consider researching the day-to-day realities as well as the legal landscape.
Community support and open-minded cultures
Aside from legal protections, anti-discrimination laws, and access to healthcare, transgender support in Europe is varied. Advocacy and community-building efforts are common in liberal cultures. Organizations like the ILGA and Transgender Europe (TGEU) work to support transgender individuals and the community at large in Europe.
There are still challenges
Despite progress being made to protect and welcome transgender individuals in Europe, there’s still some way to go. Here’s what to look out for if you’re traveling to the EU as a transgender person or with a transgender loved one:
- Discrimination and violence. Unfortunately, transgender individuals continue to face discrimination and violence in many EU countries. Although transgender people might not directly face discrimination and violence, they might have to fight to defend their safety more than cis-gendered individuals.
- Hate speech. Hate speech is a reality for many transgender individuals in Europe. A chairperson for Finland’s most prominent transgender rights organization, Pekka Rentala, says that hate speech continues to be an issue.
- Sterilization prerequisites for legal gender recognition. In countries that are lagging behind on transgender rights, surgical sterilization is still a requirement for changing your legal gender.
- Lack of recognition for non-binary identities. There is still limited recognition of non-binary identities in Europe. Ensuring the safety and recognition of non-binary people continues to be a challenge for the EU and beyond; in the US, for example, passports are only issued denoting a person’s biological birth sex.
The outlook for the future
For the first time in 13 years, TGEU has reported that there have been more setbacks than progress for transgender people in Europe over the course of the past year. However, many people, including politicians, organizations, and individuals continue to fight for trans rights.
Ongoing efforts for equality
Efforts for equality and trans rights are ongoing across Europe. For example, in 2023, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights published fifteen suggestions specifically targeting efforts for equality.
These suggestions addressed a variety of issues, from hate crimes and hate speech to family life and sport. These suggestions included powerful trans-inclusive language and terminology and highlighted the importance of recognition.
Future trends in transgender rights globally
As conservative politics are on the rise globally, we’re seeing an increase in challenges for transgender people. These challenges are playing out on both legal and social levels. The United Kingdom, Hungary, and the United States have taken recent actions to restrict the rights of transgender people.
So especially if you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, thorough research has never been more necessary before traveling or relocating to a new destination.
Resources for future research
If you’d like to read more about LGBTQ+ rights and activism in Europe, check out the following organizations:
- ILGA is committed to a world where every LGBTQ+ person is free, equal, and safe.
- TGEU is a trans-led nonprofit working for the rights and well-being of trans people in Europe and Central Asia.
FAQs
Does the EU recognize preferred pronouns on a legal level?
No. The European Union doesn’t have a specific legal framework that protects the preferred pronouns of transgender individuals. However, there are legal pushes from individual EU members to address gender-identity and non-binary recognition.
What country has the highest reported percentage of transgender citizens?
Germany and Sweden often trend as the countries with very high reported populations of individuals identifying as something other than cis-gendered males and females. This figure is typically around 3%.
Do transgender individuals have access to regular healthcare in Europe?
In Europe, transgender individuals generally have regular access to healthcare, including gender-affirming care. The extent of coverage and access to care varies depending on the country.