The Safest Countries in Europe
Safety sits near the top of most relocation checklists, especially for anyone moving with a family. Below, 30 European countries are ranked on homicide rate straight from Eurostat, lowest to highest. Switzerland ranks 2nd of 30 European countries, and the full table plus what it means for a move are laid out underneath.
The ranking
The Safest Countries in Europe, ranked
| # | Country | Homicide rate /100k |
Perceived crime % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxembourg | 0.3 | 7.4 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 0.5 | 8.5 |
| 3 | Italy | 0.57 | 6.4 |
| 4 | Czechia | 0.63 | 6.6 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 0.67 | 16.7 |
| 6 | Portugal | 0.68 | 6.9 |
| 7 | Hungary | 0.69 | 6.1 |
| 8 | Ireland | 0.69 | 9.6 |
| 9 | Poland | 0.69 | 2.8 |
| 10 | Norway | 0.7 | 5.9 |
| 11 | Slovenia | 0.71 | 6.8 |
| 12 | Spain | 0.72 | 13.6 |
Top 12 of 30 European countries shown. Ranked on homicide rate (/100k); the second column (perceived crime) is shown for context. National averages from Eurostat, latest available year.
The leaders
Who comes top, and where Switzerland lands
Luxembourg tops the table at 0.3 /100k, ahead of Switzerland (0.5) and Italy (0.57). At the other end, Lithuania sits at 2.63, which gives a sense of the full European spread. Switzerland ranks 2nd of 30 European countries, so it is well placed on this particular measure.
1. Luxembourg (0.3 /100k): comfortably in the top tier, with perceived crime at 7.4 %.
2. Switzerland (0.5 /100k): one of the front-runners, with perceived crime at 8.5 %.
3. Italy (0.57 /100k): near the very top, with perceived crime at 6.4 %.
4. Czechia (0.63 /100k): a clear leader here, with perceived crime at 6.6 %.
5. Netherlands (0.67 /100k): near the very top, with perceived crime at 16.7 %.
For context, Switzerland’s 0.5 /100k compares with leader Luxembourg’s 0.3 /100k, a difference of about 0.2 /100k. Switzerland ranks 2nd of 30 European countries.
How to read it
What this ranking does and does not tell you
The order rewards a single dimension, which is exactly why it is useful as a filter and risky as a verdict. Homicide is a national figure and a rare event, so a strong country ranking is no promise about a particular street; always check the specific neighbourhood and city.
A ranking like this narrows the field; it does not pick your destination. Once you have a shortlist, compare the real cost and pay figures side by side, starting with our cost of living in Switzerland page if Switzerland is in the running.
Practical guides
Setting up life in Switzerland
Decided on Switzerland? These are the practical set-up steps for week one.
Common questions
FAQ
Which European country is the safest?
On this data it is Luxembourg (0.3 /100k). The rest of the top ten and the full ranking are in the table above.
How is this ranking calculated?
By sorting all European countries on a single Eurostat indicator, homicide rate (/100k), lowest first. See the methodology for datasets and years.
Where does Switzerland rank?
Switzerland ranks 2nd of 30 European countries, with 0.5 /100k.
Is Luxembourg really the safest in Europe?
On the latest Eurostat figures, yes: Luxembourg records 0.3 /100k, the lowest of 30 countries measured. Positions can shift slightly year to year as the data updates.
Does this cover countries outside the EU?
It includes all EU members plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, wherever Eurostat reports the indicator.
Should I choose a country on this alone?
No. Homicide is a national figure and a rare event, so a strong country ranking is no promise about a particular street; always check the specific neighbourhood and city. Use it to build a shortlist, then compare cost of living, salaries and tax for the places that make your list.
What does it cost to live in Switzerland?
See our full cost of living in Switzerland guide for prices, salaries, tax and quality of life against the EU average.
Source: Eurostat (latest available years). National averages. See the methodology for datasets and definitions.