Italy Ranked Worst EU Destination for LGBTQ+ Travelers
New safety index highlights Italy's declining status compared to European tourism peers.
1Italy's Declining Safety Ranking
Italy has been identified as the least safe country within the European Union for LGBTQ+ tourists. According to the latest LGBTQ Travel Safety Map, the nation dropped to 36th place out of 49 analyzed countries. This marks a continued downward trend, falling one position lower than the previous year's assessment.
2Quantifying the Safety Gap
The country currently holds a safety score of 24.11%, reflecting a decline of 1.23% from 2025. This figure remains significantly lower than the European Union average of 52%. Experts describe this performance as the primary weakness for Southern Europe regarding the welcoming environment provided to gay and lesbian international travelers.
3Summit Context and Partnerships
These findings were presented during the fourth edition of the European LGBTQ+ Tourism Summit. The event is promoted by the European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance in partnership with Roma Capitale. It also received institutional patronage from the European Parliament and Federturismo Confindustria, highlighting the official recognition of these tourism sector challenges.
4European Regional Safety Trends
While Italy struggles, Europe maintains its status as the safest region globally for queer travelers. However, the report emphasizes that progress across the continent remains uneven. While some nations lead in hospitality, others lag behind, creating a fragmented experience for tourists seeking inclusive destinations across the various European Union member states.
5Top Performing European Nations
Spain leads the continental rankings as the clear frontrunner with an impressive safety score of 88.7%. Other top-performing countries include Malta, Iceland, and Portugal, the latter of which excels in hospitality and service indices. Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg also secure positions within the top ten safest destinations.
6Institutional Implications for Tourism
The involvement of Federturismo Confindustria suggests that the Italian tourism industry is aware of these critical findings. Low safety rankings can directly influence travel decisions for the LGBTQ+ demographic, potentially impacting long-term visitor numbers. Addressing these systemic issues is now a focal point for stakeholders aiming to improve Italy's international reputation.
7Methodology of the Survey
The LGBTQ Travel Safety Map evaluates nations based on specific criteria relevant to queer travelers. By analyzing 49 countries, the report provides a comparative look at legal protections, social attitudes, and safety records. The consistent data collection allows for year-over-year tracking, which highlights Italy's specific struggle to keep pace with neighbors.
8Future Outlook and Challenges
As Italy remains the Achilles' heel of Southern Europe, the pressure to improve inclusivity grows. The disparity between Italy's score and the EU average indicates a significant gap in policy or social acceptance. Future reports will determine if institutional efforts can reverse this trend or if the decline will persist further.
Original article: ANSA English — Italy Ranked Worst EU Destination for LGBTQ+ Travelers