[takeaways] • Iceland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, and Austria top the 2026 Global Peace Index as Europe's safest countries.
• Russia and Ukraine rank lowest for safety in Europe right now due to ongoing conflict.
• The Netherlands has Europe's highest quality of life score on Numbeo, with Luxembourg close behind in second.
• Scandinavian and Nordic countries dominate the cleanest-air rankings, while Albania ranks as Europe's most polluted country.
• You can call 112 for emergency services almost anywhere in Europe, often in English.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Europe keeps you connected to maps, loved ones, and emergency resources across 30-plus countries. [/takeaways]
Europe isn't a region that's particularly synonymous with danger, but it always pays to be safe rather than sorry — and, in this guide, we'll be taking a closer look at some of the safest countries in Europe based on various rankings and ratings. Yes — it's the latest SIMOVO statistics deep dive!
Safety is, of course, a concept that extends to lots of different things — there's physical safety, food safety, and safety from terrorism and war. Thankfully, plenty of countries on the continent are considered some of the safest in the world, meaning you should be able to rest a bit easier when you visit.
Regardless, one of the best ways to stay safe no matter where you are in the world is to stay connected to loved ones, and to make sure you always have access to emergency resources and GPS. With a SIMOVO eSIM for Europe, you'll be able to connect to the best available mobile networks in more than 30 countries across the continent. Plus, you won't have to hunt around for local WiFi spots (which can pose safety issues all on their own!).
Without further ado, let's break down which countries in Europe are the safest for you to visit right now.
[esim flag="🇪🇺" label="Europe" data="20GB · 30 days" price="$27.70" href="/products/europe" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected to maps, loved ones, and emergency resources in more than 30 countries across Europe[/esim]
The safest countries in Europe, according to the stats
Iceland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, and Austria are all considered the safest countries in Europe right now, based on the Global Peace Index for 2026. The Global Peace Index is based on 23 different indicators or categories, such as political instability, homicide rate, nuclear and heavy weapons, and internal and external conflicts fought.
The smaller the score based on these indicators, the more peaceful the country. And, Iceland stands head and shoulders above the rest with a score of 1.161, ahead of its nearest European rival in Switzerland, with 1.363 (a score that actually rose by 1.2% for 2026). If you're wondering who's in second, it's New Zealand.
Other countries that score refreshingly low on the index include Portugal and Finland, both of which are considered among the top ten most peaceful countries in the world. Denmark, Czechia, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Latvia all place in the top 20, too.
But wait — there's more statistics! World Population Review offers up a separate list, based on what it refers to as a "Safest Countries Index". No surprises, however — as Iceland scores safest here, too. In this list, Denmark, Austria, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czechia, Monaco, Slovenia, and Finland round out Europe's safest top ten.
So, as if you need more reasons to visit Iceland, you can now rest assured that it's widely regarded as the safest country in Europe to visit. Just be prepared that a vacation here often comes somewhat expensive compared to other territories!
What are the least safe countries in Europe to visit?
Due to ongoing conflict, the Global Peace Index ranks Russia as the least safe country in Europe to visit right now, with Ukraine also low on the ranking for the same reason. Russia is, in fact, the highest-scoring country out of all 163 territories measured, with Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranking low on the index.
Belarus, France, Cyprus, Serbia, Moldova, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia round out the ten least safe countries to visit in Europe. This may come as a surprise to many, as some of these countries — such as France, Cyprus, and Greece — remain huge tourist destinations. Areas like Russia and Ukraine are naturally not recommended for international travel as it stands.
World Population Review offers a slightly different perspective via the Safest Countries Index. In this list, Ukraine ranks least safe, with Russia not far behind. Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, France, and Moldova also make up the bottom ten — but, interestingly, so does Portugal. Portugal, if you're keeping up so far, ranks highly in the GPI list of most peaceful countries in Europe!
Other countries considered less safe than others, according to the SCI, include Belgium, Montenegro, and Greece.
Which countries in Europe have the best quality of life?
As well as considering safety, it's always a good idea to look at the respective quality of life indicators for each European country. This is especially important if you are considering relocating to live somewhere on the continent permanently.
According to Numbeo's mid-2026 figures the European country with the highest quality of life index score right now is the Netherlands, with Luxembourg, Denmark, Switzerland, and Finland rounding out the top five. Austria, Iceland, Germany, Norway, and Estonia finish up the top ten.
Therefore, it certainly seems that Switzerland and Iceland are your best choices in European countries if you prioritize safety and quality of life. The same index places Albania in last place, with Ukraine, Russia, North Macedonia, and Serbia in the bottom five.
Checking out the same source, we also found that Numbeo offers insights on health care — and it seems that the Netherlands, Finland, Austria, France, and Spain rank highest on this particular index. Interestingly, despite its world-famous National Health Service, the United Kingdom only ranks 12th here!
The countries at the bottom of the health care index are Albania, Belarus, Ireland, Serbia, and Malta.
Finally for now, let's look at pollution. Numbeo, again, has all the stats we need. Finland, Estonia, Austria, Iceland, and Sweden are the least polluted European countries according to current figures. You're also least likely to breathe in the bad stuff if you visit Norway, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, or Lithuania.
Spare a thought again for the likes of Albania here, which actually ranks as Europe's most polluted country on this particular index, just ahead of North Macedonia. Malta, Serbia, and Ukraine also score high on pollution.
All things considered, it looks like a trip to a Scandinavian country might be the best option for a safe, low-pollution vacation in Europe. That said, your own experiences may vary!
Safety tips for traveling to Europe
As you've seen, European countries really differ when it comes to safety, meaning you'll do best following some general safety and security guidelines when adventuring across the continent. Here are some to keep in mind before you go.
[warning]Always make sure you have your belongings with you in plain sight. That includes your phone, any money you are carrying, cards, passports, and ID. It's also good practice to avoid holding your phone out in public, even if you're taking photos — try to keep your phone to yourself to avoid snatching.[/warning] [tip title="Invest in travel and health insurance"]Make sure to purchase travel and health insurance wherever possible. Coverage that backs you up on medical admissions, stolen items, and trip cancelations is always worth investing in.[/tip] [tip title="Call 112 for emergencies"]You can call 112 across Europe to speak to local emergency services, and in many territories, you'll be able to do so in English (with French and German also supported in some regions).[/tip] [tip title="Check your government's travel advice"]Always read your national government travel advice before you head to your chosen European destination. If you're advised to avoid all but essential travel and it's just a quick vacation, you might want to rethink.[/tip] [tip title="Note your embassy's details"]Note the details of your country's embassy in the country you're visiting in case you need help getting home or securing support.[/tip] [faq] [q]What is the safest country in Europe?[/q] [a]Iceland tops both the Global Peace Index and the Safest Countries Index as Europe's safest country for 2026.[/a] [q]What is the least safe country in Europe to visit right now?[/q] [a]Russia, followed by Ukraine, due to ongoing conflict — both are not recommended for international travel as it stands.[/a] [q]Which European country has the best quality of life?[/q] [a]The Netherlands tops Numbeo's quality of life index, with Luxembourg close behind in second place.[/a] [q]What's the emergency number across Europe?[/q] [a]112 works across the continent, often with English-language support.[/a] [q]Is France safe to visit despite ranking lower on some safety indices?[/q] [a]Yes — France remains one of the world's most visited countries. Its lower ranking reflects specific index indicators, not an unusual risk to everyday tourists.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇪🇺" label="Europe" data="20GB · 30 days" price="$27.70" href="/products/europe" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you touch down anywhere in Europe[/esim]
