Is Niger safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?
Significant restrictions
Niger carries significant legal restrictions for LGBTQ+ travellers — the clearest concern is same-sex relationships (criminalised).
What to know as an LGBTQ+ traveller
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
In June 2026 Niger adopted a law criminalising same-sex acts with five to ten years’ imprisonment and fines up to 100 million CFA francs; same-sex marriage was already barred by the 2025 Refoundation Charter.
Niger has no legal procedure allowing a person to change their gender marker on official documents, so legal gender recognition is not possible.
Niger has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute; only narrow references to sexual orientation appear in anti-trafficking and data-protection provisions, and the constitution was suspended after the July 2023 coup.
LGBTQ+ legal protections are limited — Equaldex scores 36/100 (2026), with major gaps in recognition and anti-discrimination.
Niger is a constitutionally secular state with no national blasphemy statute; criticism of religion is not criminalised in law, although religious tribunals handle some family and moral matters on an opt-in basis.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
Criminalised · to 10yIn June 2026 Niger adopted a law criminalising same-sex acts with five to ten years’ imprisonment and fines up to 100 million CFA francs; same-sex marriage was already barred by the 2025 Refoundation Charter.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleNiger has no legal procedure allowing a person to change their gender marker on official documents, so legal gender recognition is not possible.
Anti-discrimination protection
No general protectionNiger has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute; only narrow references to sexual orientation appear in anti-trafficking and data-protection provisions, and the constitution was suspended after the July 2023 coup.
Disability rights
CRPD 2008 + lawNiger ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 24 June 2008 and has some domestic social-protection provisions for persons with disabilities, though enforcement and accessibility remain limited.
Women's legal rights
Major legal gapsSignificant legal gaps remain for women — the WBL index scores 54/100 (2023). Expect unequal rules in areas such as mobility, marriage or the workplace; check local specifics before you travel.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
RestrictiveLGBTQ+ legal protections are limited — Equaldex scores 36/100 (2026), with major gaps in recognition and anti-discrimination.
Body & health
Abortion access
Life/health onlyUnder Niger’s 2006 Reproductive Health Law and Penal Code, abortion is permitted only to save the woman’s life or health (and for serious fetal impairment) with physician approval; it is otherwise a criminal offence.
Cannabis & personal drug law
IllegalCannabis is illegal in Niger for all purposes; possession, use and sale are criminal offences carrying imprisonment and fines, enforced by the anti-drug office (OCRTIS).
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
ModeratePew Research places Niger in the moderate band of its Government Restrictions Index; Niger is constitutionally secular with a ~99% Muslim population, though the government registers religious associations and has restricted some religious activity on security grounds.
Blasphemy & apostasy law
No such lawsNiger is a constitutionally secular state with no national blasphemy statute; criticism of religion is not criminalised in law, although religious tribunals handle some family and moral matters on an opt-in basis.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 27/100Rated Not Free, 27/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign nationals staying beyond a short entry visa (issued for 30-90 days), including students, must obtain a residence permit (carte/titre de sejour) from Niger’s immigration authorities to regularise a longer stay.
Student work rights
Niger provides no formal student-visa work-hour allowance; a foreign student wishing to work would need separate work/residence authorisation rather than working on the study visa itself.
Health insurance
Niger does not publish an explicit health-insurance requirement for student visas or enrolment, but proof of yellow-fever vaccination is mandatory for entry and comprehensive travel/health insurance is strongly advised given limited local medical facilities.
Bringing medication
Prescription medicines for personal use should be carried in original labelled packaging with a copy of the prescription or a doctor’s letter; narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled medicines are restricted under Niger’s drug laws and international narcotics conventions and may need prior authorisation.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.