When planning to go abroad, safety is often a top concern. And while common sense must always prevail, some countries are just a bit more worry-free than others.
The Netherlands was named the safest country in the world this year by travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, lauded for its “peace-loving” attitude, very high marks for health measures and overall safety, as well as for safety for female travelers, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and travelers of color. The country leapfrogged to the top spot this year after having come in 14th place in 2024.
“We’re seeing a shift in how travelers define ‘safe,'” a spokesperson for Berkshire Hathaway told Travel + Leisure. “It’s not just about crime rates anymore, people are also considering healthcare access, climate stability and inclusivity. Survey respondents felt the Netherlands excels across all those verticals, which is why it’s resonating so strongly with travelers heading into 2026.”
When it comes to hazards in the Netherlands, the main danger came from the abundance of fast-moving bicycles in Dutch cities like Amsterdam, which can make crossing streets treacherous for those unaware.
The Netherlands displaced last year’s No. 1 safest country of Iceland, which slipped to the fourth place spot this year. While it may not have topped the list for 2025, it was still considered the world’s most peaceful country, according to the travel insurance provider.
The biggest danger in Iceland was volcanic eruptions since “lava flows very often affect the one main road that rings the country.”
Second place went to Australia this year, which ranked high for both health measures as well as safety from terrorism.
Austria came in at No. 3 (it didn’t even make the list last year) and Canada rounded out the top five.
When it came to cities themselves, Reykjavik was named the safest after the study found there wasn’t a single neighborhood in the Icelandic city not considered safe. That was followed by Copenhagen, Zurich, Amsterdam, and Honolulu.
In order to determine its rankings, Berkshire Hathaway surveyed more than 1,800 American travelers about their experiences traveling in the last five years, and asked participants to rank the countries they visited based on safety. In addition, the company collected data on a variety of factors, including terrorism, weather emergencies, health concerns, and the safety of underrepresented groups.
There are several ways travelers can stay safe when abroad, including investing in highly-rated safety devices and registering for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows the department to issue alerts and locate American travelers in case of an emergency.
These are the top 15 safest countries in the world, according to Berkshire Hathaway.
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Austria
- Iceland
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United Arab Emirates
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Portugal
- France
- United Kingdom
- Denmark
