Spain named Europe’s best country for LGBTQ+ rights in major new ranking

Spain has officially been named the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, topping a major international ranking and overtaking Malta after years of steady progress on equality laws and protections.

The latest Rainbow Map from ILGA-Europe ranked 49 European countries based on laws and policies affecting LGBTQ+ people, including protections against discrimination, family rights, hate crime legislation, gender recognition and asylum policies.

Spain climbed from fifth place in 2025 to number one in 2026, ending Malta’s decade-long reign at the top of the list. According to the report, Spain achieved an overall score of around 89 per cent, narrowly ahead of Malta and Iceland.

Why Spain moved to the top

ILGA-Europe highlighted several recent developments behind Spain’s rise, including the continued rollout of LGBTQ+ equality plans, stronger anti-discrimination protections and reforms linked to Spain’s transgender rights legislation.

The organisation also praised Spain’s political commitment to inclusion at a time when several other European countries have seen increasing debate and division over LGBTQ+ rights.

Spain has long been regarded as one of Europe’s most progressive countries for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, which host internationally recognised Pride celebrations and strong LGBTQ+ cultural scenes.

For many expats and international residents living in Spain, the ranking is likely to reinforce the country’s reputation as an open and welcoming place to live, work and travel.

Positive news for tourism and international reputation

The recognition is also expected to strengthen Spain’s appeal as a travel destination. LGBTQ+ tourism remains a major part of Europe’s visitor economy, with destinations across Spain – including the Balearic Islands and Costa Blanca – already popular with international visitors seeking inclusive holiday experiences.

Places such as Palma, Sitges, Benidorm and Ibiza have built strong reputations as diverse and welcoming destinations over recent years.

Spain’s rise to the top also comes as other European countries continue to face criticism over stalled reforms or proposed rollbacks to LGBTQ+ protections. ILGA-Europe noted that while some countries are advancing rapidly, others are seeing growing political pressure from conservative and far-right movements.

Europe’s top-ranked countries

According to the 2026 Rainbow Map, the top five countries for LGBTQ+ rights in Europe are:

1. Spain
2. Malta
3. Iceland
4. Belgium
5. Denmark

At the other end of the ranking, Russia and Azerbaijan remained among the lowest-scoring countries in Europe for LGBTQ+ protections.

The annual Rainbow Map has become one of Europe’s most closely watched benchmarks for LGBTQ+ equality and is widely used by governments, activists and human rights organisations to track progress across the continent.