Pride month may have ended, but Christopher Street Day is coming up alongside the largest party in Berlin. Over 300,000 people attended last year and were gearing up to celebrate with pals from around the world.
Each Pride season, I update my Digital Nomad Visa List. I add new visas, and, more importantly, include their LGBTQ+ score so you know if it’s a safe place to live. For context, the United States’ LGBTQ+ score is 72/100 (though the index does show a public opinion score of 57/100).
The best countries for queer nomads receive a gold star, because why not? This post will remain free and open to the public. Now, let’s take a look at the places you might want to escape to this year.
Note: Some nomad lists include visas that aren’t designed for Digital Nomading. I excluded those to ensure you don’t skirt any rules while being queer. 😉
Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
Albania | LGBTQ+ Index: 49/100
I constantly hear wonderful things about Albania. Those I have met hailing from this small Balkan country have been wonderful. The visa on offer provides 12 months in country, with a possible renewal for another 12 months.
Armenia | LGBTQ+ Index: 27/100
Well this is cool. The Armenian digital nomad visa is for one year, but can be renewed up to five times, which then makes one eligible for permanent residency if they’re registered as a solo entrepreneur. Not bad. Unfortunately, it’s not a desirable country for LGBTQ+ nomad. 😢
Czech Republic | LGBTQ+ Index: 63/100
The visa application in the Czech Republic is famously complicated. Prepare your patience. Prague is well-thought-of by nomads, and the country is relatively safe for LGBTQ+ digital nomads.
Croatia | LGBTQ+ Index: 58/100
My motherland! I feel very safe when in Croatia. Though I’ve had to explain what ‘queer’ means to acquaintances, they are receptive and supportive. The seaside city of Zadar boasts the most sunny days per year of anywhere in Europe. Nomads can stay for one year, and can reapply after six months post-visa. (I really want to give it a gold star but admit it’s my personal love for the country that awards the star — I hope the legal protections for queer people in Croatia continue to improve.)
Cyprus | LGBTQ+ Index: 58/100
It’s hard to say no to a gorgeous Mediterranean island, and Cyprus knows it. They only issue 500 year-long visas at this writing. If you nab one, you’ll be able to apply for an extension.
Estonia | LGBTQ+ Index: 64/100
It’s no surprise that Estonia pioneered the digital nomad visa. They have set the standard for country digitalization, from eResidency to a personal wallet with your full history (and who accessed it). Their visa offers a one year stay, and Tallinn (the capital) is a cozy experience.
🌟 Germany | LGBTQ+ Index: 78/100
This isn’t a typical digital nomad visa. Rather, it’s a freelancer visa that grants three years in Germany. I’ve been very happy with my life in Berlin, but do note: Berlin is its own world. It’s arguably the queerest city in the world (it doesn’t have an index score, but is green in every category) and the Charité hospital was the first to offer gender affirming care (in 1922).
Georgia | LGBTQ+ Index: 38/100
Enter Eastern Europe on a year-long visa that requires no application (for 95 countries). Georgia offers an Individual Entrepreneur scheme that reduces taxes to 1% of your business for the year you’re there. Not bad!
Greece | LGBTQ+ Index: 66/100
History. Food. Culture. Monuments. The sea. Oh yeah, and the Island of Lesbos. Greece is an easy choice for any queer nomad looking for beautiful vistas and sunny weather. Their nomad visa offers one year of residence, though they offer a seven-year tax-reduction visa to certain qualifying countries.
Hungary | LGBTQ+ Index: 52/100
Hungary has been politically tumultuous as of late. Though I must say, Budapest is a gorgeous city with much to do. I felt rather safe there while visiting on my own in 2017, and was able to make friends quickly at the ImpactHUB Coworking space.
🌟 Iceland | LGBTQ+ Index: 93/100
I was only in Iceland for two days, yet the memories are vibrant and powerful. I can’t recommend a visit enough. Their visa only extends for six months and has a monthly income requirement of $7,000 (eep). Iceland also qualifies for a Schengen visa; rather than jump through hoops, maybe just stay 90 days?
Italy | LGBTQ+ Index: 70/100
Italy joined the digital nomad scene in 2024 with a one-year renewable visa. One must prove minimum 30,000€/year income, which is doable for a seasoned entrepreneur or remote worker.
Latvia | LGBTQ+ Index: 49/100
Estonia’s neighbor has followed suit with a year-long nomad visa that can be renewed for another year. Latvia has a lot to offer its visitors, with an abundance of history and architecture to charm you during your stay.
Malta | LGBTQ+ Index: 77/100
This small island nation boasts over 300 sunny days a year. Their Nomad Residency Permit provides a year on the sea and can be renewed.
🌟 Norway | LGBTQ+ Index: 86/100
It’s no surprise that one of the happiest countries in the world scores high for queer rights. Their two-year visa works similarly to the German freelancer visa. Get ready for some Northern lights!
Portugal | LGBTQ+ Index: 76/100
Lisbon is one of the major digital nomad hotspot cities. It can be seen in the rent prices and hipster restaurants. 🫣 Located right on the ocean, the costs are considered a trade off for warm weather, good food, the European lifestyle, and beaches. The D7 visa gives nomads a year in Portugal.
Romania | LGBTQ+ Index: 46/100
Everyone I’ve ever met from Romania has been kind, interesting, and generous. Oh, and Romania has the fastest internet in the EU. Just saying. It’s a beautiful country with great cities, history, and landscapes. They could work on their LGBTQ+ rights, though…
🌟 Spain | LGBTQ+ Index: 83/100
Spain offers a generous five-year visa program under the Startups Law. You’ll have to prove employment and income, as well as vocational training (wow). In this case, the hoops are worth it: Spain has a 100/100 LGBTQ+ legal protection rating!!!
Digital Nomad Visas in the Caribbean
Anguilla | LGBTQ+ Index: 51/100
One of the best ways to get away should you wish for a remote island lifestyle. Anguilla is a small nation and far from its neighbors. They give a one-year visa.
Antigua & Barbuda | LGBTQ+ Index: 51/100
There are 365 beaches available to those with this two-year visa. That means you can spend two days on each beach during your residency. Think you’re up to it? Just be careful — their public opinion index is only 17/100.
Aruba | LGBTQ+ Index: 55/100
“Aruba, Jamaica, oooh I wanna take ya…” Join the One Happy Workation visa program and stay for 90 days in the island nation. The short visa would do well combined with other Caribbean visas.
Bahamas | LGBTQ+ Index: 31/100
Stay close to Miami while living your island dream. The Bahamas offers a 12-month visa on their BEATS program, which is extendable up to three years. Surprising that their LGBTQ+ rating is so low.
Barbados | LGBTQ+ Index: 63/100
Barbados offers the fastest internet speeds in the Caribbean and was one of the first to launch a digital nomad visa program. Their visa provides a one-year stay. You’ll need to prove $50,000/yearly income.
Bermuda | LGBTQ+ Index: 66/100
This one-year visa is cheap to apply for. However, Bermuda has the highest cost of living of any country around the world.
Cayman Islands | LGBTQ+ Index: 69/100
The Global Citizen Concierge visa offers digital nomads a stay of up to two years. An interesting requirement is a notarized letter of reference from a financial institution. Probably because the proof of annual income of $150,000/year.
🌟 Curaçao | LGBTQ+ Index: 76/100
Two of my closest friends in tech recently conducted business with the Curaçao government and it went really well. They are forward-thinking and interested in innovation. The HOME visa is only for six months, but can be extended to a year.
Dominica | LGBTQ+ Index: 32/100
Hot springs. Beaches. Tropics. Why not utilize the Work In Nature visa in Dominica? The visa offers 18 months to explore the island. Buuuuuut their LGBTQ+ acceptance is questionable.
Grenada | LGBTQ+ Index: 26/100
Grenada has just joined the Digital Nomad scene with a one-year visa. The island nation asks no income tax within this visa, which is really, really nice. Their LGBTQ+ index, however, is not.
Montserrat | LGBTQ+ Index: 78/100
The island nation by which the famous font was named. Montserrat is slightly bigger than Anguilla — it will give you a nice remote feel. Their internet is planned for a fiber upgrade, and they offer a one-year visa.
Saint Lucia | LGBTQ+ Index: 24/100
The Live It visa provides a 12-month stay with no minimum income requirement. That’s a win for digital entrepreneurs just getting started. Unfortunately, their LGBTQ+ index is dismal.
Digital Nomad Visas in the Americas
Argentina | LGBTQ+ Index: 74/100
The Argentina Digital Nomad Visa (creative name, eh?) only offers 180 days in the country. It’s possible to extend, and family members can be included on the application.
Belize | LGBTQ+ Index: 54/100
Wowza — The Work Where You Vacation visa requires minimum $75,000 proof of income for only 180 days. On the upside, you’ll be near beaches and Mayan ruins (very geeky for this anthropologist).
🌟 Brazil | LGBTQ+ Index: 78/100
Brazil was the first South American country to roll out a digital nomad visa program. Their visa offers one year with a one year renewal option, and minimum income requirement of $1,500/month. Brazil is famous for excellent medical care, and slaps the rest of the world with a 98/100 LGBTQ+ legal protections index. Go have fun, folks.
Colombia | LGBTQ+ Index: 73/100
The Visas V Nómades Digitales offers remote workers two years in beautiful Colombia. They also have one of the lowest income requirements at $684/month. Legal protections look great at 95/100. 🎉
Costa Rica | LGBTQ+ Index: 66/100
Several of my friends have retired to Costa Rica. Unfortunately, some are returning home due to difficulties in lifestyle. The Rentista visa provides a two-year stay, and for some, that’s enough.
Ecuador | LGBTQ+ Index: 61/100
A two year visa in a beautiful country that has it all: mountains, the Amazon, and the Galapagos. I admit I was bummed to miss out in visiting Quito when I traveled to the Galapagos some years ago. Their overall index is lukewarm, but their legal protections are a decent 80/100.
El Salvador | LGBTQ+ Index: 41/100
El Salvador recently adopted Bitcoin as its country’s main currency. The rollout was not smooth (surprise) but the tech-forward thinking is an interesting indication of the government’s thinking. They offer a two-year visa which can be renewed for another two years. Unfortunately, their low LGBTQ+ index and enforced censorship of queer issues would have me steering clear of long-term residency.
🌟 Mexico | LGBTQ+ Index: 73/100
I’ve heard nothing but fabulous things about Mexico City. It’s a vibrant, artistic city with a rich history and lots to do. The Temporary Resident Visa is what I would aim for — it offers three years and is renewable for another three years. A major bonus is their legal protections index is 90/100, which is higher than the United States legal protections of 83/100. Just saying…
Panama | LGBTQ+ Index: 39/100
The Panamanian visa is called the Short Stay for Remote Workers visa. It offers nine months with an extension to 18 months possible. Panama has low cost of living, but given the shorter length of the visa and its LGBTQ+ index, I would look elsewhere.
🌟 Uruguay | LGBTQ+ Index: 83/100
This low-cost visa only offers a six-month stay which can be renewed once. A toe in the water, one might say. With Gay Marriage legal, one’s spouse will qualify for the spousal visa as well. Massive bonus.
Digital Nomad Visas in Asia
Abu Dhabi | LGBTQ+ Index: 0/100
See below. ⬇️
Dubai | LGBTQ+ Index: 0/100
I hear Dubai’s weather is gorgeous… in winter. 😜 Several of my entrepreneur friends have enjoyed the one-year digital nomad visa in Dubai. However… uhm… do I need to say it? 😵
Malaysia | LGBTQ+ Index: 16/100
Malaysia announced its De Rantau Nomad Pass in 2022 and offers one year on the visa. Income threshold is a fair $2,000/mo and the country is working on infrastructure to support the nomad ecosystem to make it an attractive option. Their LGBTQ+ index score, however, isn’t.
South Korea | LGBTQ+ Index: 53/100
I’ve heard fabulous things about South Korea, from music to clothing to skin care. Their brand new visa called the Workation Visa offers nomads up to two years in country with a $66,000 minimum yearly income requirement.
Taiwan | LGBTQ+ Index: 61/100
Taiwan impressed me during my COVID ethnography with their tech-forward solution to mask distribution. I was even more impressed when I met their digital minister earlier this year (who, by the way, identifies as “post-gender”). Their Gold Card can be earned a myriad of ways and is open ended. That’s a big deal for those who want a semi-permanent home abroad.
Thailand | LGBTQ+ Index: 62/100
The Thai digital nomad visa offers a 10-year stay IF you can show a yearly income of $80,000 and work for a publicly traded company. Wowza.
Digital Nomad Visas in Africa
Mauritius | LGBTQ+ Index: 55/100
My friend lived for a decade on Mauritius and absolutely loved it. What I love is that their Premium Visa offers one year with no application fee nor minimum income requirement. You simply must show you own a business or have a remote contract.
Cape Verde | LGBTQ+ Index: 66/100
This one is interesting because legal protections aren’t so great but public opinion is at 81/100. The Remote Working Cabo Verde visa is available for six months (with six month renewal possible) and gives nomads access to all ten islands while they work on their Portuguese.
Seychelles | LGBTQ+ Index: 60/100
This visa is also rather easy to get. Show a valid passport, proof of business ownership, and proof of income. The Workcation Program grants a 12-month stay.
Namibia | LGBTQ+ Index: 55/100
I personally have always wanted to see the Namib Desert — the only desert in the world that meets a major body of water. Namibia is also home to fantastic national parks. It’s visa grants six months in country with a income threshold of $2,000/mo.