SPAIN has been named the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ people to live – despite a worrying rise in reported hate crime incidents.
The country ranked first on the Rainbow Map, an index that measures 49 European nations based on their laws, policies and protections for LGBTQ+ people.
For the first time in a decade, Malta was knocked off the top spot, with Spain’s strong legal protections, progressive social attitudes and vibrant LGBTQ+ communities credited for its rise to number one.
ILGA-Europe, the organisation behind the rankings, credited Pedro Sanchez’s government with helping Spain secure the top position.
The deputy director of IGLA-Europe, Katrin Hugendubel said: “Spain’s number one ranking is a strong example of what becomes possible when a government makes a deliberate choice to advance equality rather than retreat from it.”
She continued: “Of course more needs to be done in Spain, but this is a reminder that political courage is a choice, and that governments who make it can effectively push back.”
Since taking office, Pedro Sanchez’s government has put an end to treating transidentities as a mental illness in healthcare and established an independent authority tasked with enforcing equal treatment and anti-discrimination laws.
However, it comes as anti-LGBTQ+ hate is on the rise in Spain with 54% of LGBTQ+ people reporting abuse in the past year.
A recent survey, conducted by the Federation of LGBTQ+ People (FELGTB+), highlighted that in 2024, 17% of hate crimes in Spain were directed at LGBTQ+ people due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, a figure that more than doubled to 35% in 2026.
Physical assaults on the LGBTQ+ community have also increased with 7% reporting assault in 2024, compared with 22% this year.
The transgender community has been hit particularly hard with one in two reporting that they had been physically assaulted.
With around 12 per cent of Spain’s population identifying as LGBTQ+, equivalent to roughly six million people, the figures highlight the significant number of Spaniards frequently suffering abuse and discrimination.
Although Spain may have topped the rankings this year, many in the LGBTQ+ community continue to face rising levels of harassment, discrimination and violence in everyday life.
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