Same-sex activity remains criminalised in roughly 60 countries, and a small number of those are places British holidaymakers routinely visit. The authoritative source for any specific destination is the FCDO country page, which carries an LGBT+ section covering both the law and how it is enforced. Those two are not the same thing and both matter.
- Criminalisation is concentrated in parts of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and the Caribbean.
- Some laws are essentially unenforced; others are enforced against tourists. The FCDO wording distinguishes them.
- Separate laws exist in some countries on “promotion” of homosexuality — these can catch social media and apps.
- Popular beach destinations are not automatically exempt.
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How to check a destination properly
| Step | What you are looking for |
|---|---|
| 1. FCDO country page | The LGBT+ section. Read it literally — phrasing about enforcement is deliberate. |
| 2. Local laws and customs | A separate FCDO section covering public affection, dress and behaviour. |
| 3. Entry requirements | Occasionally relevant — a few countries ask questions at the border. |
| 4. Recent traveller reports | Attitude, not law. Useful for comfort, not for legal risk. |
| 5. Your own travel style | A visible couple, a shared double bed and public affection all raise exposure. |
Law versus enforcement
Three patterns are worth understanding because they lead to different decisions:
- Criminalised and actively enforced. Prosecutions occur, sometimes including foreign nationals. This is the situation the FCDO describes most explicitly.
- Criminalised but largely dormant. The law exists, prosecutions are rare, and a visible scene may exist in the capital. Risk is real but uneven — often connected to blackmail and extortion rather than prosecution.
- Not criminalised but socially hostile. No legal risk, meaningful social risk, and no legal protection if something happens.
The second pattern causes the most confusion, because a friend’s uneventful trip is not evidence that the law is inactive.
“Promotion” and app laws
A number of countries have laws restricting so-called promotion of homosexuality, separate from criminalising the act itself. These are the ones that catch travellers unexpectedly, because they can extend to social media posts and dating apps. In several documented cases apps have been used by police to identify people.
If you are travelling somewhere with restrictive law, the practical step is to remove dating apps from your phone rather than merely logging out — see using dating apps abroad, which covers this in detail.
If you decide to go anyway
This is a personal decision, and plenty of people travel to difficult countries for family, work or their own reasons. Practical points if you do:
- Book a twin room if two men sharing a double would attract questions. It removes the issue without explanation.
- Know where the British embassy is before you arrive.
- Check your insurance — some policies exclude incidents connected to activity that is illegal locally. See travel insurance.
- Assume devices may be inspected at some borders.
- Be cautious about meeting strangers. Extortion is a more common risk than prosecution in several of these countries.
The straightforward alternative
None of this applies to the destinations most British gay travellers actually use. Spain, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands and Germany are legally straightforward and socially relaxed in the places people visit — see gay holiday destinations from the UK and gay resorts in Europe. If the beach is the point, the beach is available without any of the above.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries criminalise being gay?
Around 60, concentrated in parts of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and the Caribbean. The number changes as countries decriminalise or introduce new laws, which is why a current FCDO check matters more than a memorised list.
Are tourists prosecuted?
It happens in some countries and is rare in others. The FCDO country page is specific about this and its wording is worth reading closely rather than skimming.
Is a popular holiday destination automatically safe?
No. Several destinations that are heavily marketed to British holidaymakers criminalise same-sex activity. Popularity is not a legal indicator.
What are “promotion” laws?
Laws restricting the public promotion or display of homosexuality, separate from criminalising sex itself. They can extend to social media and dating apps, which is how travellers most often encounter them.
Should I delete dating apps before travelling somewhere restrictive?
Deleting rather than logging out is the safer step where apps have been used to identify people. Our guide to apps abroad covers the detail.
Where is the official UK information?
The FCDO travel advice pages on gov.uk. Most country pages carry a dedicated LGBT+ section, and there is a general LGBT+ foreign travel advice page covering the approach.
Sources and further reading
- FCDO — LGBT+ foreign travel advice
- FCDO — travel advice by country
- Gov.uk — British embassies abroad
- ILGA World — global sexual orientation laws research