Discover the safest countries to travel to in 2026. See ranking

When it comes to traveling with peace of mind, the Netherlands has left its mark. The European country has been named the world’s safest country for tourists in 2026, according to the annual rankings of American travel insurance company Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP). This news is surprising considering the country was only ranked 14th in the previous survey.

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The study, released in November, surveyed more than 1,800 American travelers about their security-focused experiences over the past five years and combined these opinions with integrated metrics such as the Global Peace Index (GPI), data from Numbeo, and scores from GeoSure Global, a geolocation tool for travelers.

Europe dominates the list of safest destinations

The Netherlands is followed by Australia in Oceania and Austria in Europe. A total of 15 countries make up the ranking. 10 countries from Europe, 2 from Oceania, 1 from Asia, 1 from North America, and 1 from the Middle East. Brazil, like other South American countries, does not feature among the highlights. “Individual scores do not favor any country over others; they all contribute to the overall score,” BHTP explains.

The change at the top of the rankings brought news. According to the study, Iceland, which topped the list in 2025, has fallen to fourth place, while the Netherlands stood out with high scores in health, general safety, and protection for women, LGBTQIA+, and black travelers. Numbeo emphasizes that cities such as The Hague and Eindhoven are particularly safe.

See photos of the famous Keukenhof Tulip Garden in the Netherlands

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Tulip garden at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon / AFP

Visitors observe the gardens in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands. — Photo: Nick Gammon/AFP

A couple poses for a photo in front of the tulip garden at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon / AFP

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A visitor poses next to the tulip garden at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon/AFP

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Visitors stroll through the gardens of Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon/AFP

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Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, outside Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon / AFP

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Visitors walk along the lake path at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon/AFP

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Garden of tulips and other flowers at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, near Amsterdam, Netherlands — Photo: Nick Gammon / AFP

The park is located in the city of Lisse, on the outskirts of Amsterdam, and will be open to visitors until May 12, 2024.

Still, BHTP warns of basic precautions in large urban centres, recommending: “The risk in large cities is posed by the abundance of bicycles. Cities have dedicated cycle paths and cross the pavement, so special care should be taken when crossing roads.” In addition, travelers should be careful with their belongings, drink alcohol in moderation, and avoid long journeys on foot at night.

Despite not being the safest country, Brazil still stands out in the rankings of world travel destinations. Rio de Janeiro is included in National Geographic’s list of 25 Best Places to Travel in 2026, and São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods such as Liberdade, Barra Funda and Botafogo are featured in a selection of international publications focused on culture, gastronomy and city life.