Safe & Sound: Why Europe’s Most Popular Countries Rank in the “Upper Tier”
September 25, 2026 2 min read Written by Barry Branaugh
Interested in a European vacation? As a specialist in European travel, it is absolutely my favorite place to go! Like anywhere else in the world, safety varies by destination. This is the fourth installment in our five-part series evaluating safety across Europe.
In this issue, we’re looking at the Upper Tier (ranked 11th through 18th safest countries in Europe). These destinations are all considered exceptionally safe for day-to-day travel. What places them in this category—just shy of the top 10—are minor structural, economic, or geopolitical considerations rather than vacation danger.
The Upper Tier Breakdown
- Portugal (#11) & Slovenia (#12): Both offer exceptionally low crime rates. Portugal stands out for its calm political climate and strong focus on tourism stability, while Slovenia is known as a tranquil, peaceful destination away from regional tensions.
- Germany (#13) & United Kingdom (#18): Highly secure with world-class infrastructure and public institutions. Their rankings are slightly tempered by macro-economic factors—such as projected slower economic growth in Germany and post-Brexit economic adjustments in the UK.
- Estonia (#14) & Spain (#17): Both score high for public trust and robust tourist protection measures. Estonia’s position simply reflects its geopolitical proximity to Eastern Europe.
- France (#15) & Belgium (#16): Both boast incredible infrastructure, high-end travel amenities, and strong economies. Their minor score reductions stem from occasional political gridlock or localized public demonstrations.
The Takeaway: These destinations remain world-class, highly secure options for any traveler. Minor economic fluctuations or geopolitical nuances affect behind-the-scenes scores, but day-to-day tourist safety remains top-tier!
