Several European countries have issued travel advisories for their transgender, non-binary, and third-gender citizens hoping to travel to the US, after Donald Trump’s recently signed executive order.
US President Donald Trump has not been shy when it comes to spreading chaos since he started his second term in January.
As well as shaving trillions of dollars off of the global markets, the Republican leader signed an executive order recognizing only two genders — male and female. This has caused major feelings of discomfort and unrest among international transgender, non-binary, and third-gender travellers who were hoping to visit the United States of America, as many individuals travel with passports that bear an X gender marker.
Members of the trans community, non-binary and third-gender communities have said they will find it difficult to travel and have trouble accessing gender-affirming care in the US. With this in mind, many European countries have issued travel advisories to their transgender, non-binary, or third-gender citizens to ensure their safety while travelling to the USA.
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Most advise contacting their country’s US Embassy before making definitive travel plans. Several countries have cautioned their citizens amid fears of ‘detention’ while travelling to the United States of America. Here’s a list of countries that have issued travel warnings to their transgender, non-binary, and third-gender citizens if they are considering travel to the US.
France
France urged its citizens to stay updated on US entry requirements by regularly checking with the US Embassy in France. The country issued a particular warning for transgender and non-binary travellers. France’s government website states: “In particular, for new visa or ESTA applications, it should be noted that a section has been added that requires, pursuant to the presidential decree of January 20, 2025, the indication of ‘sex at birth.’”
Denmark
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Denmark wrote on its website: “When applying for an ESTA or visa to the United States, there are two gender designations to choose from: male or female. If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the US embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed.”
The Nordic nation has been at odds with the United States ever since Trump said that he wanted the US to take over Greenland, a country controlled by Denmark.
Finland
Finland has assigned a travel advisory regarding US travel on its website, which roughly translated, states: “If the gender listed on the applicant’s passport does not match the gender assigned at birth, the US authorities may deny the application for a travel permit or visa. A valid ESTA or visa does not necessarily grant entry to the United States.”
In a more recent update, the website cautioned: “Applicants for an ESTA or visa to the United States must in future indicate their gender as either ‘male’ or ‘female’ and as determined at birth on the application. If the applicant’s current gender as recorded in their passport differs from the gender they were assigned at birth, US authorities may deny entry. It is recommended that you check with US authorities in advance for entry requirements.”
It was also clarified that individual border patrol officers and other enforcement agencies had discretion over entry into the US.
Germany
Germany’s travel advisory regarding US travel states: “Travelers who have the gender entry ‘X’ or whose current gender entry differs from their gender entry at birth should contact the relevant US diplomatic mission in Germany before entering the country and find out the applicable entry requirements.”
Ireland
Ireland issued a travel advisory in a section dedicated to ‘Transgender Irish citizens’. It warned: “ESTA and visa application forms to the US require travellers to declare their sex. The US authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveller’s biological sex at birth. Travelers who have an ‘X’ marker on their passport or whose sex on their passport differs from sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements.”
Norway
Norway’s website cautions: “The US authorities only accept a M or F (male or female) as a gender indication. This was determined by the US government on January 20, 2025. Based on this, you must indicate your gender at birth when applying for an ESTA or visa.”
Slovakia
In a special page on their website dedicated to the new developments in the US, Slovakia told its citizens: “The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington further points out that when filling out an ESTA or visa application, the applicant can now only choose from two genders – male or female. The gender indicated in the application must be consistent with the applicant’s gender at birth, or on the birth certificate and with the information in the travel document.”
The Netherlands
The Netherlands has issued a travel advisory that cautions: “The US authorities only accept a M or F (male or female) as a gender indication. This was determined by the US government on January 20, 2025. Based on this, you must indicate your gender at birth when applying for an ESTA or visa.” The warning also brought to attention that “a number of states have introduced local laws that may have negative consequences for LGBTIQ+ people, for example when it comes to access to health care.”
Portugal
Portugal’s recent travel guidance warns: “We point out that the possession of an ESTA or of a visa does not constitute an automatic right of entry to the USA. The final decision is always taken by the border agent on arrival to the North American territory. To avoid misunderstandings in communication, it is recommended that travellers have proof of return travel and avoid making false statements about the purposes of their stay.”
“Citizens who identify as non-binary” have also been advised that for travel to the US, they can only check “male” or “female” on immigration forms and should choose the sex they were assigned at birth.
Austria
Austria issued travel advisories for transgender and non-binary citizens following President Trump’s executive order, which states that the United States will only recognize male and female sex markers on passports. The advisory aims to alert affected travellers to potential issues they may face when entering the US under the new policy.
Full list of countries advising ‘caution’ while visiting US
- Austria
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Norway
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Netherlands
- Portugal