Iceland ranks top in 2026 map of most trans-friendly countries in Europe

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Iceland ranks top in 2026 map of most trans-friendly countries in Europe

https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/26/trans-rights-europe-iceland-2026/ 🔗

Poppy-Jay St. Palmer (26 May 2026)

The annual Trans Rights Index and Map, which comes from Transgender Europe, documents the protections and opportunities available for trans and non-binary people within each European and Central Asian country.

It comes in partnership with ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map and is co-funded by the European Union.

Iceland scored 30 out of 32, with full marks in all but two categories. One point was deducted in both Asylum (Policy/other positive measures) and Hate Crime/Speech (Policy tackling hatred). The country has now scored the same for three years in a row, and has improved by 18 points since the index began in 2019.

In second place is Malta, with 28 out of 32 indicators met, and achieving full marks in the Legal Gender Recognition, Hate Crime/Speech, Health and Family categories. Spain comes in at number three, with 27.18 out of 32 and full marks in the Asylum and Health categories.

Following on from the top three, Belgium and Norway both scored 25.5 out of 32, while Germany scored 24.57. Notably, Austria, Germany, Iceland and Malta are the only countries to fully meet the criteria for non-binary recognition.

"The 2026 Trans Rights Index and Map shows more visible legal shifts than in recent years," said TGEU in a statement. "However, most of these changes do not reflect new political commitment."

It continued: "The developments mostly stem from the tireless work of activists and court rulings rather than governments taking proactive steps to advance rights. Despite visible public attacks on trans people across much of the region, the lack of political response is alarming."

[Tig58072]

Rynn moved to Iceland and something went wrong. Plus I don't think there are too many jobs there.