Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BTHP) has revealed its annual list of the safest destinations for 2026, and Europe once again dominates the ranking, with ten of the fifteen safest countries being European, and nine out of the fifteen safest cities.
The big winner this year is the Netherlands, jumping from 14th place last year to the top spot. It is followed by Australia in second place, and Austria, one of two newcomers to the list, in third. The remaining European destinations in the top 15 are Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, France, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Beyond Europe, Canada ranks fifth, New Zealand sixth, the United Arab Emirates this year’s other newcomer, and Japan, ninth.
What makes a country safe
Safety and security account for 81% of the factors influencing where travellers choose to take their next holiday, according to McKinsey’s State of Travel survey.
“Today’s travellers are prioritising their safety more than ever”, said Carol Mueller, head of marketing at BHTP, in a statement to USA Today. “The report not only highlights locations where travellers feel most secure, but also serves as a trusted resource for making informed choices about where to explore next.”
BTHP bases its report on four key sources: surveys of American travellers and external indices, which include the Global Peace Index (GPI), which measures peace and violence levels; Numbeo, reflecting perception of crime and safety; and the GeoSure Global, providing safety scores for major cities in each country.
The index further breaks safety down into sub-categories such as violent crime, terrorism, transportation safety, health hazards and healthcare standards, and the safety of women, LGBTQIA+ and people of colour.
Highlight and caution
The Netherlands, which snatched the first place this year, is described as peace-loving and particularly safe for women, LGBTQIA+ travellers. BHTP does warn travellers to beware of the country’s ubiquitous and fast cyclists.
Australia, steady in second place, is praised for its political stability and low terrorism risk. Yet, visitors are reminded of the country’s very strict biosecurity rules and quarantine requirements.
Austria, debuting at third, ranks among the most “peaceable” countries, but carries a note of caution regarding “demonstrations and pickpockets on trains between Vienna and Budapest, Prague or Rome”.
By contrast, Iceland, last year’s winner, fell to fourth this year because of volcanic eruptions at the Sundhnúksgigar fissure, which is “problematic in Iceland, since the lava flows often affect the one main road, and leave travellers stranded”.
Canada, in fifth place, gets a reminder that venturing “off the Trans-Canada Highway puts you in a wilderness where simple services are hundreds of miles away”.
The United Kingdom has also dropped in the ranking due to a rise in petty crimes and phone theft, with a device now reportedly stolen every 7.5 minutes according to the Metropolitan Police figures. Cybercrime is also a concern, and experts warn against using public WiFi networks.
Cities and traveller trends
The top fifteen safest cities for 2026 are Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Zurich, Amsterdam, Honolulu, Sydney, Barcelona, Lisbon, Tokyo, Dublin, Venice, Seoul, London, Singapore and San Francisco.
The 2026 survey further reveals distinct safety perceptions across generations and demographic differences in the US: Millennials favour adventurous destinations like Australia, Japan, and Israel, while Gen Z respondents lean toward the UAE, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Wealthier and mature travellers show more conservative choices such as Austria, Switzerland, and Canada, whereas parents and LGBTQIA+ travellers rank Japan, Ireland, and New Zealand highly for safety.
