Netherlands Ranked Safest Travel Destination For 2026, Overtaking Iceland

Published on October 30, 2025

The Netherlands has officially claimed nan apical spot connected nan database of nan world’s safest places to recreation for 2026, according to a caller study by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. This marks an awesome emergence for nan European country, which jumped from 14th spot past twelvemonth to bump Iceland from its long-held position astatine nan top.

How nan Rankings Are Decided

The Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection study blends nan individual experiences of thousands of American travelers pinch difficult information from world information indexes for illustration nan Global Peace Index, Numbeo’s crime statistics, and GeoSure Global information scores. It looks astatine various factors specified arsenic convulsive crime rates, coercion risks, wellness hazards, and moreover really safe travelers consciousness based connected their experiences—taking into relationship everything from thoroughfare crime to really good cities are equipped to grip emergencies.

Why nan Netherlands is #1

The Netherlands’ accelerated climb to nan apical of nan rankings is nary surprise, fixed nan country’s long-standing estimation for safety, stability, and high-quality healthcare. Several cardinal factors played into its rise:

• Peaceful Society: The Netherlands has agelong been known for its governmental stableness and serene environment. It ranks highly connected nan Global Peace Index, reflecting nan nation’s committedness to maintaining information some for locals and tourists.
• Top-tier Healthcare: The Netherlands’ healthcare strategy is 1 of nan champion successful Europe. Travelers consciousness assured knowing they person entree to high-quality aesculapian attraction if needed.
• Inclusive Safety: The Netherlands stands retired for its attraction connected inclusivity, scoring exceptionally good for LGBTQIA+ travelers, women, and group of color. This inclusive situation has made it a apical prime for those seeking a safe and welcoming destination.
• Safety successful Major Cities: Cities for illustration Amsterdam are known not only for their rich | history and vibrant civilization but besides for their debased crime rates, making them a apical destination for visitors seeking bid of mind.

Other Top Countries connected nan List

Following nan Netherlands, nan apical 5 safest destinations successful 2026 include:

1. Australia: Known for its laid-back atmosphere, debased crime rates, and fantabulous healthcare, Australia remains a favourite for safe travel.
2. Austria: A caller summation to nan apical three, Austria’s beardown infrastructure, governmental stability, and debased crime rates helped it unafraid this precocious position.
3. Iceland: While it dropped from nan apical spot, Iceland remains a secure destination, offering scenic beauty and minimal criminal activity.
4. Canada: With its friends ambiance and well-established healthcare system, Canada continues to beryllium a apical prime for travelers seeking safety.

Other countries rounding retired nan apical 10 see New Zealand, nan United Arab Emirates (a caller summation to nan apical ranks), Switzerland, Japan, and Ireland.

The Safest Cities successful nan World

Along pinch ranking countries, nan study besides looked astatine cities astir nan world to find which ones connection nan safest environments for travelers. The apical 5 cities of 2026 are:

1. Reykjavik, Iceland: Still a safe bet, pinch small to nary crime and a welcoming ambiance for tourists.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark: Known for its debased crime rates and welcoming nationalist services, Copenhagen remains a apical prime for safety-conscious travelers.
3. Zurich, Switzerland: With its precocious value of life and fantabulous information standards, Zurich is simply a apical contender for travelers seeking security.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam ranks highly for its cleanable streets, debased crime rates, and businesslike nationalist services, making it a awesome action for tourists.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: As nan safest U.S. city, Honolulu continues to beryllium known for its friends group and debased crime rates.

What This Means for Travelers

This year’s study highlights nan increasing value of broad safety, not conscionable successful position of crime rates, but besides entree to value healthcare, governmental stability, and inclusivity. The Netherlands’ emergence to nan apical signals a displacement successful really travelers position safety—no longer conscionable concerned pinch thoroughfare crime, but pinch a broader, much holistic consciousness of well-being.

That said, experts be aware that moreover successful nan safest countries, conditions tin change. Natural disasters, governmental protests, aliases unexpected wellness crises tin impact nan information of immoderate destination. As a precaution, travelers are encouraged to enroll successful nan U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to person real-time updates and notifications, and to see purchasing recreation security earlier embarking connected their journeys.

Conclusion

The Netherlands’ newfound spot astatine nan apical of nan safest places to sojourn successful 2026 is simply a reflection of its committedness to providing a unafraid and welcoming situation for some its residents and tourists. The country’s operation of governmental stability, inclusive policies, and high-quality healthcare make it a standout destination for travelers seeking bid of mind.

As always, moreover nan safest destinations require a small mentation and awareness. However, pinch nan correct precautions, travelers tin acquisition nan Netherlands pinch confidence, knowing that they’re successful 1 of nan safest places successful nan world.