The Netherlands has made an extraordinary leap from 14th place to the top spot in an annual report on the safest countries to visit by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), which has been creating the list every year since 2016.
The survey takes perceptions of safe destinations from US consumers who have travelled there within the last five years, and is cross-referenced with information from safety and security intelligence platform Geosure, the Global Peace Index, and crowdsourcing database Numbeo, as well as BHTP’s own analysis of crime levels, digital threats, and healthcare.
1. The Netherlands
Europe traditionally dominates the ranking, so the Netherlands’ presence may not be a surprise, but its surge to first has been described as a “huge jump” by BHTP Vice President Carol Mueller, who told Forbes the country “demonstrated a strong performance across all indexes evaluated this year, with each awarding the country high safety scores. Healthcare, stability, and safety for female travelers, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and travelers of color were all recognized as standout strengths.” Still, BHTP suggests vigilance when it comes to Dutch cycling culture, pointing out that bike paths cross pedestrian walkways, sometimes at high speed.
2. Australia
In an edition which BHTP notes has seen “a lot of movement”, Australia retained second place, getting the highest score on health and placing well on safety from terrorism and violent crime (the ranking was created before the recent attacks on Bondi Beach). Smart Move Australia attributes the success to a “stable political system, low crime rate, and strict biosecurity and gun control laws.” Safe travel there does require an understanding of strict Australian import laws on agriculture, wood, and animals.
3. Austria
Austria is a new entrant to the survey and takes third place. BHTP notes it is the “fourth-most-peaceable country in the world according to the World Peace Index, and Numbeo has it in the top 20 of safe countries.” Visitors should remain cautious about political protests in Vienna and pickpockets on trains between the capital and Budapest, Prague, or Rome.
4. Iceland
Iceland has dropped from first to fourth place but remains the world’s most peaceful country according to the Global Peace Index. BHTP warns of the risk of being stranded by volcanic eruptions and flags the short “bridges between winter and summer” in parts of April and October in a travel market where “shoulder seasons” are becoming more popular times to travel.
5. Canada
Canada’s status as the “top-rated North American country in the Global Peace Index” and its “low crime rate, counterterrorism measures, secure transportation, healthcare for all, diversity, and economic stability” all get a mention. Visitors can get into trouble for parking violations and should be aware how quickly one can end up isolated in the wilderness, BHTP says.
6. New Zealand
There’s no change at sixth for New Zealand which is third in the Global Peace Index, and where cities are rated “super-safe” by GeoSure. Unlike Iceland, New Zealand presents “no bad time to visit” thanks to its diverse climate, but BHTP urges anyone considering glacier exploration to hire a guide.
7. United Arab Emirates
Almost matching The Netherlands meteoric rise, the UAE has soared eleven places from 18th last year. It is the only Middle East country in BHTP’s top 15 and five of its cities (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, and Ras al-Khaimah) are at the top of Numbeo’s safety from crime index. The UAE has pivoted hard towards tourism but remains authoritarian, BHTP warns, with a “harsh” and “swift” penalties for drug crimes, including e-cigarettes and CBD, and dress and behaviour violations. Notably the UAE does not feature in separate top 10 rankings for safety from terrorism, access to healthcare, family safety, or among the safest destinations for women, LGBTQIA+ travellers or “people of color.”
8. Switzerland
Switzerland has dropped from fifth place year on year. Despite noting the “85th-to-90th-percentile” safety of Swiss cities, BHTP and the US State Department signal the risk of “alpine hazards” such as “avalanches and snowdrifts, landslides and flooding, glacial crevasses, falling rocks, sun exposure, and sudden weather changes” and highlight that “public safety warnings are not comparable to those found in the United States.”
9. Japan
There’s no change in ninth place. Japan remains ranked highly and, BHTP says, bucks the idea that highly populous countries cannot be safe. Be aware of bans on certain prescription medicines like Adderall, as well as the challenges presented by rush hour and navigating public transport (use navigation tools, BHTP recommends).
10. Ireland
Ireland has dropped from fourth place last year but hangs on to a top 10 spot thanks to its political stability, low levels of violent crime and firearms ownership, and low incarceration rate. The warnings here are to do with cars. Rental vehicles can be targeted for vandalism, and narrow coastal roads such as the Slea Head Drive are described as “terrifying.”
While Europe continues to dominate, fast climbers like the UAE highlight how quickly perceptions can shift. Even so, BHTP’s warnings make clear that no destination is entirely risk free, reinforcing the importance of preparation and local awareness, even in the world’s safest countries.
