Mozambique Gay Travel Index 2026
Score = Legal 38/60 + Scene 9/40 = 47/100 · thin scene coverage — legal-weighted provisional score
Updated 7 Oct 2026 · release 2026.3.
A live score, not an annual report — it recomputes as laws, rulings and the scene itself change. See what moved in 2026.
Legal composite · Legal milestones · Scene on the ground · Plan your trip · Frequently asked questions
Legal composite — 38/60 points
| Criminalization | Legal (2015) |
|---|---|
| Partnership | ● No not recognised |
| Anti-discrimination | ● Partial |
| Gender recognition | Not possible — no legal gender recognition |
| Enforcement reality | Calm — no active persecution documented |
Research note: No LGR framework; decriminalized, no persecution pattern — GayOut Index 2026.3 legal research (ILGA World / Human Dignity Trust / Rainbow Europe / Equaldex).
Legal composite, five components
Fulfilment per component (100 = maximum). Weights: criminalisation 35% · partnership 20% · enforcement 20% · anti-discrimination 15% · gender recognition 10%.
Legal milestones
Background, not travel advice — how the current status came to be. For planning a trip, rely on the current score, tier and scene sections above; 2026 movements are tracked in the sourced change log.
- 2007A new labor law banned workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, a rare protection in the region at the time. ↗
- 2015A new Penal Code took effect in June 2015, decriminalizing same-sex activity by dropping colonial-era vice provisions. ↗
- 2017The Constitutional Council struck down the legal barrier blocking NGO registration, ending advocacy group LAMBDA's nine-year registration battle. ↗
- 2020A revised Penal Code added explicit protections for LGBTQ people, banning hate crimes and hate speech. ↗
- 2023A new Labour Law dropped the explicit sexual-orientation clause from employment discrimination protections. ↗
- TodaySame-sex activity stayed legal with hate crime protections on the books, but couples had no legal recognition. ↗
Sources: ILGA World · Human Dignity Trust · Equaldex. Each milestone links to a reference source ↗.
Scene on the ground — 9/40 points
Detailed scene metrics (for researchers)
| Gay bars per million | — |
|---|---|
| Saunas per million | — |
| Events per million | — |
| Coverage grade | A |
| Scene score | 9/40 (raw scene index 23/100) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mozambique safe for gay travellers?
Mozambique is rated Some caution on the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, scoring 47/100 overall with a legal safety component of 38/60. On enforcement reality, no active persecution is documented.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Mozambique?
No. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Mozambique. Overall legal status: Legal (2015).
Does Mozambique have a gay scene?
Mozambique has a limited documented gay scene: GayOut lists 15 LGBTQ+ venues, including 0 dedicated gay bars.
Which city in Mozambique has the biggest gay scene?
Maputo has the largest documented LGBTQ+ scene in Mozambique, with 2 venues listed in the GayOut directory.