Europe maintains its reputation as a safe destination in a new travel ranking, but last year’s top country has lost its crown to a continental neighbor.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection released its latest safety ranking for American travelers, using data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and an average of GeoSure Global scores for major cities in each country. The company analyzed these statistics alongside a survey of American travelers who visited selected countries over the past five years.
The Safest Country in the World for Tourists in 2026
The Netherlands took first place thanks to its high ranking in the Global Peace Index and Numbeo, with The Hague and Eindhoven making the top 12. American travelers who visited praised the country for its healthcare measures and described it as a safe destination for women and LGBTQ+ travelers.
While Australia came in second, the list was dominated mainly by European countries. In fact, half of the 10 safest countries for tourists in 2026 are located in Europe. Among the top 15 countries, Europe claimed two-thirds of the spots.
The ranking is led, as mentioned, by the Netherlands, followed by Australia, Austria, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
Has Iceland Become Less Safe?
Although Iceland was last year’s winner — ranked as the most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index — it came in fourth on this year’s list for travelers.
The drop was caused by multiple eruptions at the Sundhnúksgígar fissure, which sent plumes of smoke into the air, as well as lava flows breaking through protective barriers near the fishing town of Grindavík. “Eruptions always carry the potential for disruption, but they are particularly problematic in Iceland because lava flows often affect the country’s only main road,” the ranking noted.
Despite volcanic activity, Iceland welcomed 1.8 million tourists in the first nine months of 2025, with the country expecting a record-breaking year.
The UK’s ranking was also affected, dropping from 13th to 14th this year. “While London is a safe city compared to many in the U.S., especially in terms of violent crime, it has some issues with less severe crimes like theft, which can still be disturbing for travelers,” the ranking noted.