Central and Eastern Europe is a region of cultural diversity
Central and Eastern Europe is a region of cultural diversity and evolving approaches to inclusivity, including LGBTQ+ rights. While countries like Czechia and Estonia have taken steps toward equality through legal reforms, others maintain conservative policies and societal resistance. Advocacy efforts and growing support from younger generations are driving incremental progress, particularly in urban centers. These changes reflect a slow but promising shift toward greater acceptance and inclusivity across the region.
City ratings
BBB
Prague ▲
BB
Ljubljana
Bratislava
Tallinn ▼
B
Athens
Zagreb ▲
Bucharest
Vilnius ▼
CCC
✷ Krakow
Warsaw ▼
Budapest ▼
Riga ▼
Wroclaw ▲
CC
Sofia
C
Belgrade ▼
▼ City has declined since 2022 ▲ City has improved since 2022 ✷ New city
DDD
Kyiv
Tirana
Skopje
DD
Moscow
St Petersburg
Baku
Sarajevo
E
Tbilisi ▼
D
▼ City has declined since 2022 ▲ City has improved since 2022 ✷ New city
Region headlines
Prague leads the region with a BBB rating, demonstrating strong social acceptance and balanced economic metrics, with the city's growing technology sector alongside progressive social policies creating an increasingly inclusive environment. Prague scores higher in the innovation and human capital categories than other cities in the region, driven by its talented workforce.
While the Czech Republic legalised civil unions in 2006, full marriage equality remains a work in progress. This mix of progress and ongoing development characterises Prague's broader social landscape and places the city in the 'partially open for business' category.
Capital cities like Belgrade (CC) and Budapest (CCC) have become relative havens of inclusion, attracting international business and talent. However, national policies in both Hungary and Serbia often pose broad economic challenges. In Hungary, while Budapest shows a strong commitment to diversity, national laws passed by the Fidesz party in recent years have created uncertainty for businesses implementing inclusive policies. These laws include bans on transgender people chanding legal documents, restrictions on LGBTQ+ adoption and limitations on the portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals in media and schools. Similarly, Belgrade has made progress through expanded Pride events and increased business support, despite a national environment marked by violence against the LGBTQ+ community and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from public figures.
As Central and Southeast European cities work to enhance their competitiveness and innovation, differences in LGBTQ+ inclusion are having major ecomomic impacts. Discrimination costs up to HUF 193.2 billion (USD 518.2 million) in Hungary and RSD 47.3 billion (USD 442.9 million) in Serbia, affecting workplace participation, public health and talent retention. With 45% of US investors considering LGBTQ+ inclusion, Budapest and Belgrade gain a competitive edge, even with their "partially open for business" ratings.
Poland's major cities, particularly Warsaw, have emerged as centres of progress for LGBTQ+ inclusion despite past national policies. While Warsaw's CCC rating demonstrates continued challenges, recent developments indicate potentials for improvement.
Wrocław has shown noteworthy progress, moving up one level in the latest city ratings, while other Polish cities like Kraków demonstrate increasing openness. This progress at municipal level has helped counterbalance previous national policies, with cities like Gdańsk winning recognition in the 'European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity' competition for LGBTQ+ measures.