Travel Safety Guide: 15 Countries Where LGBTQ+ Travelers Should Be Careful

Travel can be an incredible experience. It can also come with real risks if you are LGBTQ+ and heading somewhere with laws or attitudes that put you at risk. This guide is not meant to scare you out of exploring the world. It is meant to give you accurate information so you can make your own informed choices.

As of 2026, over 65 countries criminalize same-sex relationships. In some, the penalties include death. Knowing before you go matters.

Countries Where LGBTQ+ Travelers Face Serious Legal Risk

The following countries have laws that explicitly criminalize same-sex activity, and in some cases, gender nonconformity. Penalties range from fines and imprisonment to, in the most extreme cases, execution.

• Saudi Arabia: Same-sex activity is illegal under Sharia law. Penalties can include imprisonment, lashing, and death. Public expression of LGBTQ+ identity carries serious risk.
• Iran: One of a small number of countries where the death penalty has been applied for same-sex conduct. The risk to LGBTQ+ travelers is severe.
• Uganda: The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 carries a sentence of life imprisonment for same-sex acts, with the death penalty possible in so-called aggravated cases. The law has been used to justify arrests and violence.
• Nigeria: Same-sex relationships carry up to 14 years imprisonment in the south. In the northern states governed by Sharia law, the potential penalty is death.
• Qatar: Same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Same-sex couples should exercise extreme caution, including with hotel bookings and public behavior.
• United Arab Emirates: Same-sex activity is illegal. Dubai is heavily visited, but the legal risks remain real. Do not assume the cosmopolitan atmosphere equals safety.
• Malaysia: Same-sex activity is criminalized both under civil law and Sharia law for Muslims. Trans people face particular risks around gender expression.
• Indonesia: Most of Indonesia does not have a national ban, but Aceh province and some other regions enforce laws with severe penalties. Check the specific region before visiting.
• Pakistan: Same-sex activity is illegal and carries prison sentences. Sharia law also applies for Muslims.
• Egypt: No specific anti-homosexuality law exists, but authorities regularly use public decency laws to arrest and prosecute LGBTQ+ people. Enforcement is active.
• Russia: Homosexuality itself is not criminalized, but the Supreme Court declared the international LGBT movement an extremist organization in 2023. Any public expression of LGBTQ+ identity risks legal action. Violence against LGBTQ+ people has increased.
• Tanzania: Same-sex activity carries up to 30 years imprisonment.
• Ghana: Same-sex activity is illegal. Ghana has been considering stricter laws in recent years.
• Jamaica: Same-sex activity between men is illegal and carries up to 10 years imprisonment. Social attitudes are frequently hostile.
• Brunei: Introduced Sharia penal code provisions in 2019 that include the death penalty for same-sex activity, though enforcement has been described as uncertain.

Practical Tips for Safer Travel

• Research before you book. Equaldex and 76 Crimes track current laws by country.
• Register with your embassy. Many countries offer traveler registration programs that allow your embassy to contact you in an emergency.
• Be mindful of digital footprints. Dating apps and social media can be used to target LGBTQ+ people in some countries. Consider your digital presence carefully.
• Know where to get help. Before you travel, save the contact information for your home country’s embassy or consulate.
• Travel insurance matters. Make sure yours covers medical evacuation and is not exclusionary.

A Note on Risk and Visibility

Risk is not uniform. It depends on how visibly LGBTQ+ you are, your race, your nationality, and a dozen other factors. Some travelers have had safe trips to high-risk countries. Others have faced serious harm. These are your decisions to make with full information.

Your safety matters. Go where you are celebrated, or go prepared.