Romania is now ranked as the least LGBTQ+-friendly country in the European Union. This was confirmed by the new Rainbow Map report published by ILGA-Europe, a human rights group based in Brussels. The report tracks how European countries treat LGBTQ+ people based on legal rights, protections, and the level of hate crime monitoring. Romania dropped to the bottom of the EU list in 2024, replacing Poland, which held that spot for six years.
ILGA-Europe uses over 70 different measures to score each country. These include whether same-sex couples have legal recognition, how well transgender people are protected, and whether hate crimes are tracked and punished. Romania received one of the lowest scores on the map. The group said the country is showing signs of growing hostility toward LGBTQ+ people.
In Romania, same-sex couples do not have legal partnerships or marriage rights. There are also no clear protections against hate crimes that target LGBTQ+ individuals. Adoption rights are not available for same-sex couples, and public support for such rights remains low. Some LGBTQ+ events, such as pride marches, still take place, but organizers often face protests or restrictions. Activists say they deal with hate speech and threats, both online and in real life. The Romanian Orthodox Church, which has strong influence, continues to oppose LGBTQ+ rights. This adds to the lack of political will to change laws.
At the other end of the scale, Malta, Belgium, and Iceland were ranked as the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in Europe. Malta has held the top position for several years. It offers a wide range of protections, such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and healthcare access for transgender people. Belgium also has strong protections, and Iceland, though not in the EU, is included because of its strong human rights record.
Poland improved its score this year, moving up from last place for the first time since 2019. The change follows the 2023 elections, which brought in a new government. Although there have been no new LGBTQ+ laws passed, civil groups report that the situation has improved slightly. Public LGBTQ+ events like pride marches are now more common and safer. In 2023, over 35 marches took place in Poland. Most were peaceful and free from major incidents.
A major step forward in Poland was the removal of the last so-called LGBT-free zone. These were areas declared by some local governments where LGBTQ+ rights were said to be unwelcome. These zones were not legally binding, but they sent a strong message of exclusion. The European Union and human rights groups strongly condemned them. In 2019, the European Parliament voted to reject the idea of LGBT-free zones across Europe.
Public support in Poland for LGBTQ+ rights continues to grow. A poll by Ipsos+ found that 67% of people now support either same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. However, passing new laws has been difficult. The ruling coalition tried to introduce civil partnership legislation but failed due to opposition from conservative lawmakers. The Law and Justice Party, which led the government until recently, still has major influence in Polish politics. Its leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, has spoken out against LGBTQ+ rights in the past. He claimed they were a threat to national identity and Western culture.
Despite this, many people in Poland now openly support equal rights for LGBTQ+ citizens. More people are attending pride events and joining campaigns to push for change. Activists are keeping pressure on lawmakers to deliver the reforms promised during the last election. Some progress may still come in the near future, but it will take time and effort.
The Rainbow Map also showed that Western European countries continue to lead in LGBTQ+ rights. Countries like Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Sweden scored high. Meanwhile, many Eastern European countries still lag behind. Bulgaria, Latvia, and Hungary also scored poorly, just above Romania. These countries lack strong anti-discrimination laws and have few legal rights for same-sex couples.
ILGA-Europe has called on all European governments to take action. They want stronger laws, better education on LGBTQ+ issues, and improved protection against hate crimes. The European Commission has said it will continue to support equality and push for member states to meet basic human rights standards.
The latest ranking is a reminder that progress is not equal across Europe. Some countries are making great strides, while others are falling behind or standing still. Legal protections matter, and so does the message that governments send to their citizens. When laws are weak or missing, LGBTQ+ people face real dangers in their daily lives.
As the fight for equal rights continues, organizations like ILGA-Europe will keep tracking and reporting on the situation. Their goal is to make sure every person in Europe, no matter their identity, can live freely and safely.
