The short answer
Among English-speaking countries for LGBTQ expats, Canada, New Zealand and Malta use English officially and all have marriage equality. The Netherlands, Portugal and Croatia rank among the world's highest for English proficiency. The catch is that Canada and New Zealand have no practical retirement visa for most people.
Language shapes daily life more than almost anything else in a move: the lease, the doctor, the bank, the friends you make. For many LGBTQ+ Americans, English-speaking countries feel like the safer first step. But among the countries Out & Found covers, the places where English runs daily life are also some of the hardest to enter. This article sets out where English works, and what it costs you in visa options.
English-speaking countries for LGBTQ expats, compared
The countries we cover where English is official or widely spoken, with marriage status and the main residence routes. Income figures are the published minimums for the main applicant.
Scroll sideways to see the full table →
| Country | English | Same-sex marriage | Retiree route | Remote-work route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Official language | Legal since 2005 | No retirement visa | Visitor, up to 6 months per entry |
| New Zealand | Official language | Legal since 2013 | Investment-based, age 66+ | Visitor remote work |
| Malta | Official language | Legal since 2017 | Malta Retirement Programme | Nomad permit, €42,000/yr |
| Netherlands | 1st globally (EF EPI 2025) | Legal since 2001 | No retirement visa; DAFT route | No nomad visa; DAFT route |
| Croatia | EF 617, among Europe's highest | Life partnership | Temporary stay | Nomad stay, €3,622.50/mo |
| Portugal | 6th globally (EF 612) | Legal since 2010 | D7, €920/mo | D8, €3,680/mo |
| Argentina | High (EF 575) | Legal since 2010 | Pensionado or rentista | Nomad residence, 180+180 days |
| Germany | About 60% speak English | Legal since 2017 | No retirement visa | No nomad visa; freelance permit |
Countries where English is an official language
Three of the countries we cover use English officially:
- Canada: English handles nearly all routine business in the major cities. French materially helps in Quebec.
- New Zealand: English runs daily life, from leases and banking to most clinic visits. Te reo Māori is also official, used in cultural settings and place names.
- Malta: English is official and used across business, government and education. About 88% of Maltese people speak it, though Maltese is the everyday majority language.
All three have marriage equality and broad legal protections. All three are also hard places to settle. Canada has no retirement visa, and Express Entry is not a viable path for applicants 55 and over. New Zealand's retirement visitor visa requires age 66 or older, a NZD 750,000 investment and NZD 60,000 a year in income, with no route to permanent residence. Malta is the exception for retirees, with a defined programme taxed at a flat 15% on remitted pension income, though the minimum annual tax rises from €7,500 to €15,000 for new applicants from 1 January 2027.
Best non-English countries where English is widely spoken
This is not a ranking. These are the countries we cover where English goes furthest without being official:
- Netherlands: ranked first in the world for English proficiency on the EF English Proficiency Index 2025. Dutch still matters for municipal, medical, housing and tax paperwork.
- Portugal: sixth in the world, with a score of 612. English works for routine business in Lisbon; Portuguese matters for medical care, government, long leases and social trust.
- Croatia: a score of 617, among Europe's highest. English works widely in Zagreb and on the coast; Croatian matters for medical care, immigration and contracts.
- Germany: about 60% of residents speak good English, but German governs medical, official, housing and banking matters.
- Argentina: rated high, at 575. English appears in tech, finance, tourism and upscale hospitality in Buenos Aires.
Where English is harder
Several popular choices are Spanish-, Portuguese- or Thai-first. Mexico scores 440 and Thailand 402, both rated very low. Brazil ranks 75th of 123. In Spain, English is not reliable outside international workplaces and tourist areas. That does not rule them out, but plan for a teacher, a translator for medical and government appointments, and more time before you feel at home.
Moving abroad without speaking the language
Across every guide, the same four tasks need the local language: medical care, government offices, long leases and banking. Routine shopping and coworking rarely do. A few steps make the first year easier:
- Book a bilingual lawyer or relocation adviser for your residence application.
- Choose a doctor from an international or private clinic; the guides list where English-speaking care is strongest.
- Bring a certified translation of your marriage certificate and key medical records.
- Start lessons before you go. Language is also the fastest way into local LGBTQ+ community life.
English-speaking countries for retirees versus digital nomads
Retirees face the harder choice. Of the three official-English countries, only Malta has a retirement route most people can use. For remote workers, the picture is better. Canada lets nomads working for a foreign employer stay as visitors for up to six months per entry, and New Zealand has allowed visitors to work for overseas employers since 27 January 2025. Malta's Nomad Residence Permit asks €42,000 a year. None of these routes leads to permanent residence on its own. If a lasting move matters most, Portugal's D7 and D8 combine strong English with a residence path; see our Portugal D7 vs D8 comparison.
Filter the Country Finder by English proficiency to see every option, or read our comparison of LGBTQ+-friendly countries in Europe.
Common questions
What are the best English-speaking countries for LGBTQ expats?
We do not rank them. Canada, New Zealand and Malta use English officially and have marriage equality. The Netherlands, Portugal and Croatia have very high English proficiency without it being official.
Which English-speaking country is the easiest to enter?
Among the countries we cover, Malta has the clearest routes for both retirees and remote workers. Canada and New Zealand let remote workers stay as visitors, but have no practical retirement visa for most people.
Can I move abroad without speaking the language?
Yes, in many places, but plan for help with medical care, government offices, long leases and banking. Those four tasks need the local language in almost every country we cover.
Which European country speaks the most English?
The Netherlands ranks first in the world on the EF English Proficiency Index 2025. Malta uses English as an official language.
Can I retire to Canada as an American?
Canada has no retirement visa, and Express Entry is not a viable path for applicants 55 and over. Read our guide to moving to Canada for the realistic routes.
Sources and method
Facts come from the Out & Found guides: Retiree Edition (verified as of 1 August 2026) and Digital Nomad Edition (verified as of 17 October 2026), which cite each country's own authorities and named research organizations. English proficiency scores are from the EF English Proficiency Index as each guide reports them. Euro figures are in euros as published. Requirements and laws change, so confirm the current rule with the official source before you act. This is research, not legal, immigration, medical or tax advice. How we research · Corrections