Remote working is on the rise and is increasingly considered the new norm worldwide. Travel restrictions are being removed, and people are starting to reconsider working in their home countries. Why should we stay at home when we can become digital nomads and live wherever we want? The trend is rising as Europe leaves lockdown, and some countries are offering incentives to lure you to work in their country remotely. 

However, for members living in the LGBTQIA+ community, choosing a remote destination requires more than just putting your finger on a map and saying, “this is the place!” In some places, anti-LGBTQ legislation means that going to live in a country could be a nightmare. Places like Poland have LGBTQIA safe zones where we are not able to live or go. Other places like Hungary have legislation that forbids youth from learning about our culture. When we choose a place to live abroad and work remotely, the choice is not as clear-cut as for our cisgender counterparts. 

If you’re looking for the top places to live remotely, we will be outlining them in this article. Please keep reading to see the top picks for members of our community. 

It’s an easy and clear choice that you probably already know, but Canada is one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world. If you’re self-employed, obtaining a visa to live in Canada is simple if you can show you will contribute to Canadian society. The self-employed visa program requires you to be proficient and English, have a post-secondary education qualification, have 2 years of self-employment tax return, and adapt to Canadian society with ease. 

If you’re looking to leave the Americas and live in Europe, you should focus on Spain. The country has one of the biggest gay pride festivals in all of Europe – and there are so many hot Spanish men! The country is very liberal and focuses heavily on social issues that make it an inclusive choice. Getting a visa to live in Spain is simple if you are self-employed. The visa is not a full work visa. Rather it is a special class called autónomo. The process has three steps, and then living in a country that accepts you as you is simple. First, you need to apply for a non-EU visa, register as a self-employed person called an autónomo, and decide where to live and get your autonomo permit. It’s a simple process to living in a very accepting country. 

The final country of note is Luxembourg. The country isn’t huge, but it has a high average salary and acceptance within the population. The country legalized civil unions for our community in 2004, and then in 2015, legalized same-sex marriage. The cost of living can be high, but the average salary is around $50,00 a year. The visa process is straightforward if you are self-employed, too. You need a long-stay visa, and you should obtain it before going to the country. 

All these countries top the list for LGBTQIA+ remote workers because they are accepting of our community. As such, these countries will welcome you with open arms, and you will feel safe. Of all the countries listed, which will you choose and why? These aren’t the only countries that you can find willing to let our community members live and work there. No matter where you choose, we suggest doing some research so you can choose somewhere that is safe and will not result in a hate crime. No matter where you choose, stay safe! We hope you have a fun time working in the country of your dreams while being the digital nomad you’ve always wanted to become!