Some of the safest countries in Europe in 2026 are Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Ireland. Safety is a major consideration when choosing where to travel, live, or relocate in Europe and something our clients are constantly asking us about.
However, national peacefulness, everyday crime, political stability, and personal safety are not the same thing. The safest countries in Europe stand out due to their low crime rates, strong rule of law, consistent political stability, and high quality of life.
Iceland has scored first in the Global Peace Index for the 19th year in a row. This is thanks to its near-zero crime rate, lack of a military, and the strong social trust among its population.
This guide ranks the top 10 safest European countries based on trusted sources like the 2026 Global Peace Index, Corruption Perception Index, and expat surveys. We also highlight how Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) can help you achieve your European immigration goals.
Safest Countries in Europe – Key Takeaways
How are the safest countries in Europe ranked?
Europe’s safest countries aren’t ranked by crime rates alone. Global indexes evaluate a mix of social, political, and institutional factors that influence everyday safety for residents, travelers, and expats.
Key indicators include:
- Global Peace Index (GPI): Measures violence, political stability, terrorism risk, and relations with neighbors. Iceland, Switzerland, and Slovenia lead the rankings in 2026.
- Corruption Perception Index: Captures institutional trust and legal confidence.
- Crime statistics: Drawn from sources like Eurostat, including homicide rates, theft, violent crime, and organized criminal activity.
- Human Development Index (HDI): High HDI countries tend to offer safer environments due to better healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- World Happiness Report: Safer societies often correlate with higher happiness levels, especially in Nordic countries.
- Quality of Life Index: The Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index measures metrics like environmental sustainability, the cost of living, infrastructure, and personal and political freedoms.
- Expat safety rankings: Based on real-world feedback from expats on safety for women, children, public spaces, and emergency services.
Other indexes include the Women, Peace and Security Index for gender safety and equality, and the Global Organized Crime Index that’s related to illicit activity risk.
Safest Countries in Europe
1. Iceland
- Global Peace Index: #1 worldwide
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 77/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #19
- Safest city: Reykjavík. Extremely low crime, safe for solo travelers and families.
- Additional safety metrics: Police are unarmed and community-focused, with high gender equality and societal trust.
Iceland ranks first in the 2026 Global Peace Index for the 19th consecutive year. It is consistently rated as one of the top ten safest countries in the world, with a remarkably low crime rate and a strong sense of societal trust. The country’s lack of a military, minimal organized crime, and strong gender equality contribute to its top ranking.
Reykjavík is one of the safest cities in Europe to live, especially for women, and digital nomads. Although residency is harder for non-EU nationals, the country remains a model of peace and security.
2. Switzerland
- Global Peace Index: #3 worldwide
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 80/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #36
- Safest cities: Zurich, Bern. Most livable city, very low crime
- Additional safety metrics: Strong rule of law, dependable infrastructure, ideal for retirees and families
Switzerland has long been a global symbol of stability, neutrality, and safety. Expats consistently rate it as one of the best places to live long-term, especially for retirees and high-net-worth individuals.
Its low crime rate, exceptional healthcare system, and dependable public infrastructure make cities like Zurich and Bern secure choices for families and professionals alike. Switzerland’s governance and predictability are among the strongest in Europe. Note that Switzerland is expensive, and non-EU/EFTA residence can be restrictive.
3. Slovenia
- Global Peace Index: #4 worldwide
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 58/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #21
- Safest city: Piran, Maribor
- Additional safety metrics: Low-cost, low-crime with good healthcare and overall infrastructure.
Slovenia is often overlooked but is one of the safest Eastern European countries in 2026. Smaller coastal and regional towns like Piran and regional hubs like Maribor score highest on localized safety metrics, with violent crime virtually non-existent across the entire nation. The country has moderate corruption levels according to its CPI score; however, it performs better than the global average but far below Denmark, Finland, or Switzerland.
Slovenia has good healthcare and is an expanding reputation as a hub for remote workers and retirees. It is ideal for those seeking very safe countries in Europe without the high price tag of Western nations.
4. Ireland
- Global Peace Index: #5 worldwide.
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 76/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #13
- Safest cities: Galway and Cork. Relaxed, low-crime, and culturally rich.
- Additional safety metrics: High social cohesion. Safe for women, retirees, and solo travelers.
Ireland has emerged as one of Europe’s most peaceful countries, offering a stable, English-speaking environment with strong rule of law and friendly, inclusive communities.
Both rural and urban areas are known to be safe, with low levels of violent crime and strong emergency response infrastructure. Galway, specifically, is known for its low violent and property crime rates, maintaining a secure, friendly environment backed by a bubbly university community.
Ireland is also ideal for solo travelers and retirees, thanks to its laid-back lifestyle and deep-rooted respect for personal safety.
5. Austria
- Global Peace Index: #6 globally.
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 69/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #14
- Safest city: Vienna. Ranks #2 in the 2026 EIU global livability index
- Additional safety metrics: Excellent public transport, low crime, strong healthcare.
Austria consistently ranks among the safest countries in Europe thanks to its stable political system, low violent crime, and well-functioning public services.
Vienna is a standout. It remains one of the world’s highest-ranked cities for livability, although livability indexes cover healthcare, education, infrastructure, and culture in addition to stability. Austria’s orderly environment, strong infrastructure, and cultural richness all contribute to a peaceful and secure lifestyle.
6. Portugal
- Global Peace Index: #7 globally
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 56/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #11
- Safest cities: Braga, Cascais, and Porto. Safe, welcoming, and affordable
- Additional safety metrics: Ranked #8 in InterNations’ 2026 Expat Insider Score
Portugal blends affordability with safety like few other countries in Europe, such as Slovenia. It enjoys a very low violent crime rate, strong police visibility, and a welcoming culture. Expats and retirees especially favor its peaceful coastal towns and laid-back pace. The country’s ranking in safety and peace rankings highlights its appeal for solo travelers, women, and families alike.
Portugal also offers attractive visa options, including the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal D7 visa for retirees, and Portugal Golden Visa, making it especially appealing to foreigners seeking a secure, long-term base in Europe.
7. Finland
- Global Peace Index: #9 globally
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 88/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #1
- Safest cities: Helsinki and Espoo. Environmentally safe, clean, and safe at night especially
- Additional safety metrics: High institutional trust with strong educational and healthcare systems
Finland ranks #1 on the GCS Quality of Life Index, offering a uniquely safe environment that balances social freedom with civic responsibility. It is considered one of the safest countries in the world for both travelers and residents. Violent crimes are very rare, and the major cities are safe to walk around, even at night. The urban areas are clean, well-managed, and extremely safe, even at night.
Expats value the openness, equality, and protective public policies that make Finland one of the safest countries in Europe to raise children or study abroad.
8. Denmark
- Global Peace Index: #11 globally
- Corruption Perceptions Index: Score 89/100 (among the least corrupt worldwide)
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #4
- Safest city: Copenhagen. Clean, organized, and one of the best cities to live and work in Europe
- Additional safety metrics: Ranked #1 for women’s safety (WPS Index); strong rule of law and emergency services
Denmark ranks eleventh on the Global Peace Index and first in the 2025/26 Women, Peace and Security Index, which measures women’s inclusion, justice, and security, not just personal safety.
The country’s very low crime rate, transparent governance, and efficient emergency services create a secure environment. Copenhagen regularly tops global livability and personal safety rankings, while smaller cities like Aarhus and Aalborg also score well for quality of life.
9. Czechia
- Global Peace Index: 13th worldwide
- Corruption Perceptions Index: 59/100
- Quality of Life Index: Ranked #26
- Safest city: Prague, which is generally safe but has a risk of pickpocketing in busy tourist areas and on public transport
- Additional safety factors: Low levels of violent conflict, political stability, reliable public transport, and well-developed public services
Czechia ranks 13th worldwide in the 2026 Global Peace Index, making it the ninth-safest country in Europe under the overall GPI methodology. The Central European country offers a stable political environment, dependable infrastructure, and generally low levels of violent crime.
Prague is popular with tourists, students, and expats, although pickpocketing and other petty theft can occur around major attractions and transport hubs. Czechia is also relatively affordable compared with many Western European countries, making it a practical option for people seeking a safe European base without the higher living costs associated with Switzerland or the Nordic countries.
10. Hungary
- Global Peace Index: 15th worldwide and tenth in Europe
- Corruption Perceptions Index: 40/100
- Quality of life index: #57
- Safest city: Budapest. One of the safest cities in central Europe
- Additional safety factors: Low levels of violent conflict, established infrastructure, and generally reliable public transport
Hungary ranks 15th worldwide in the 2026 Global Peace Index, making it the tenth-safest country in Europe under the overall GPI methodology. Violent crime affecting visitors is relatively uncommon, although petty theft is a recognized risk in crowded parts of Budapest and on international train routes.
Hungary’s Corruption Perceptions Index score of 40/100 is substantially lower than those of most other countries in Europe’s GPI top 10, highlighting concerns about public-sector transparency and institutional accountability.
Safest Countries in Europe – Comparison Table
| Rank | Country | GPI Rank | CPI Score/100 | Quality of life rank | Safest cities | Safety strengths | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1st | 77 | 19th | Reykjavík | Very low crime, strong social trust, community-focused policing and high gender equality | High living costs and more restrictive residency for non-EU nationals |
| 2 | Switzerland | 3rd | 80 | 36th | Zurich, Bern | Strong rule of law, low crime, reliable infrastructure and high-quality healthcare | Expensive and potentially restrictive for non-EU/EFTA residents |
| 3 | Slovenia | 4th | 58 | 21st | Piran, Maribor | Low violent crime, good healthcare, reliable infrastructure and relatively affordable living costs | CPI indicates moderate corruption rather than top-tier institutional transparency |
| 4 | Ireland | 5th | 76 | 13th | Galway, Cork | Low violent crime, high social cohesion, strong public services and an English-speaking environment | Housing and living costs can be high in major urban areas |
| 5 | Austria | 6th | 69 | 14th | Vienna | Low violent crime, excellent public transport, strong healthcare and stable institutions | Vienna ranks second in the 2026 EIU Global Livability Index, which measures more than safety |
| 6 | Portugal | 7th | 56 | 11th | Braga, Cascais, Porto | Low violent crime, welcoming communities, relative affordability and eighth place in the 2026 Expat Insider ranking | Petty theft can occur in tourist areas, and affordability varies considerably by city |
| 7 | Finland | 9th | 88 | 1st | Helsinki, Espoo | High institutional trust, low violent crime, strong healthcare, education and public protections | High living costs, cold winters and limited winter daylight |
| 8 | Denmark | 11th | 89 | 4th | Copenhagen | Transparent governance, strong emergency services and first place in the 2025/26 Women, Peace and Security Index | High living costs, particularly in Copenhagen |
| 9 | Czechia | 13th | 59 | 26th | Prague | Low levels of violent conflict, political stability, reliable public transport and relative affordability | Pickpocketing can occur around tourist attractions and public transport |
| 10 | Hungary | 15th | 40 | 57th | Budapest | Low levels of violent conflict, established infrastructure and generally reliable public transport | Petty theft is a risk in crowded areas, while the low CPI score signals institutional concerns |
