It's pretty hard to know. Generally if the person saying is of a sexual orientation that would have a female romantic partner, it probably does mean romantic partner.

This sounds like a romantic partner to me. Someone could say 'a girlfriend' if they wanted to show it's not romantic. 'My girlfriend' usually means a romantic relationship.

In the UK, girlfriend generally means a romantic partner.

Girlfriend = romantic Girl friend / Gal pal = platonic Usually when speaking, people like to emphasise the gap between GIRL and FRIEND to indicate it’s a friend who is also a girl. It’s easier for GUYS. Boyfriend Boy friend / Guy friend