This country was just named the safest place to travel in 2026

When planning to travel abroad, safety is often a top concern. And while common sense should always prevail, some countries are a little less concerned than others.

The Netherlands was named the safest country in the world this year by a travel insurance provider. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protectionpraised for its “peace-loving attitude,” very high marks for overall health and safety measures, as well as the safety of female travelers, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and travelers of color. The country jumped to first place this year after reaching 14th place in 2024.

“We’re seeing a shift in how travelers define ‘safe,'” a Berkshire Hathaway spokesperson said. Travel + Leisure. “It’s no longer just about crime rates, people are also considering access to healthcare, climate stability and inclusivity. Respondents felt the Netherlands excels in all of those verticals, which is why it is resonating so strongly with travelers heading into 2026.”

When it comes to dangers in the Netherlands, the main danger comes from the abundance of fast-moving bicycles in Dutch cities like Amsterdam, which can make crossing streets dangerous for those who don’t realize it.

The Netherlands last year overtook the number one safest country of Iceland, which fell to fourth place this year. Although it did not top the list for 2025, it was still considered the most peaceful country in the world, according to the travel insurance provider.

The greatest danger in Iceland was volcanic eruptions, since “lava flows very often affect the only main road that surrounds the country.”

Second place went to Australia this year, which ranked highly in both health and security measures against terrorism.

Austria came in third (it didn’t even appear on the list last year) and Canada rounded out the top five.

When it comes to the cities themselves, Reykjavik was named the safest after the study found that there was not a single neighborhood in the Icelandic city that was not considered safe. Copenhagen, Zurich, Amsterdam and Honolulu followed.

To determine its ranking, Berkshire Hathaway surveyed more than 1,800 American travelers about their travel experiences over the past five years and asked participants to rank the countries they visited based on their safety. Additionally, the company collected data on a variety of factors, including terrorism, climate emergencies, health issues and the safety of underrepresented groups.

There are several ways travelers can stay safe when abroad, including investing in highly rated security devices and registering with the US Department of State. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows the department to issue alerts and locate American travelers in the event of an emergency.

These are the 15 safest countries in the world, according to Berkshire Hathaway.