Other than budget and meaningful experiences, safety is one of the most important factors Americans take into consideration when planning a trip abroad. After all, it’s a rapidly changing world we live in, from civil unrest to new geopolitical conflicts.
For years now, Iceland has been considered the safest destination worldwide: it has very low, to non-existing corruption, it’s rarely ever rocked by massive protests—though you couldn’t say the same about volcanos—and crime is practically a non-issue.
However, according to the latest ‘Safest Countries in the World‘ report published by a U.S.-based travel insurance company, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Iceland no longer holds on to that crown.
Not because things have suddenly taken a turn for the worse in the land of ice and fire, but because a fellow European country has done an astounding job in the past year in keeping streets safe, and social cohesion high:
The Safest Country In The World Is…
Though some might disagree, especially those who feel Western Europe is getting increasingly more dangerous, the Netherlands is the safest destination in the world right now.
Last year’s winner, Iceland, now slides to number 4, but as the report states, ‘by less than one point’. The Netherlands’ improvement over the preceding year, on the other hand, is significant: in 2024, it ranked 14th.
So what changed?
BHTP seemingly gets its data from a wide range of sources, including the Global Peace Index, which rates the Netherlands highly, Numbeo, where local crime levels are deemed ‘low’, and a 5-year increase in crime is stagnant at ‘moderate’, and so on.
Additionally, they’ve surveyed travelers on their own opinion regarding these, and they largely agreed that the Dutch homeland achieves ‘near-top’ marks for health measures, overall safety, safety for female and LGBT+ travelers, and persons of color.
What About Crime In Amsterdam?
The leading destination in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.
Popular for its canals, biking lanes, world-class museums, and the infamous Red Light district, where sex workers stand by the window beckoning passersby to come in, it is the perfect juxtaposition of Old World culture and… well, weekend debauchery.
When it comes to security on the streets, pickpocketing and avoiding getting run over by a bike are your primary concerns, unless you’re venturing out to suburban districts known for their higher rates of illicit drug usage and intercommunal tensions.
That being said, in downtown Dam, chances are you’ll be perfectly fine.
Smaller cities like Breda, Leiden, and Groningen are even safer, and they’re all hidden gems, also criss-crossed by winding waterways, and home to equally gorgeous Mannerist-style buildings, with their oversized attics and elaborate cornices.
What Has The U.S. Government Got To Add?
Interestingly enough, the U.S. Department of State classifies the Netherlands as a Level 2 destination, and urges Americans to be extra cautious when visiting, while Iceland, BHTP’s former golden child, is at an ideal, no-additional-precautions-needed Level 1.
In the U.S. Government’s view, terrorism remains an issue across the country.
In their ‘country summary’, it reads ‘terrorists may attack with little or no warning’, targeting tourist attractions, transportation hubs, and public spaces like markets, shopping malls, clubs, places of worship, and parks.
While there’s some truth to that, as the terrorism threat continues across most of Western Europe, the Netherlands is highly prepared to deal with and thwart attacks, and their frequency has noticeably decreased as of late.
In the last 3 years, the Netherlands nas not experienced a single major, high-fatality terrorist plot, though there have been minor incidents:
- In March 2025, a stabbing occured near Dam Square in Amsterdam, resulting in five wounded people (no fatalities reported);
- A year earlier, in March 2024, a burning object was thrown at the Israeli Embassy in The Hague, the administrative capital of the country. No injuries were recorded.
It’s fair to say extremism, albeit a real concern, does not exactly trouble Dutch people, and visitors on a daily basis.
If you’re visiting Europe in the near future, and you’re unsure about the state of affairs at your destination, make sure you access our free-to-use Travel Advisory Checker for up-to-date information regarding security in different countries.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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