Europe's Most and Least Dangerous Cities in 2026: New Numbeo Safety Ranking

Numbeo has published an updated safety rating of European cities for 2026. Find out which city topped the list of the most dangerous, which cities are recognized as the calmest, and how this index is formed

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Numbeo analytical platform has updated its 2026 safety ranking of European cities, which it compiles based on user surveys. In the new study, Marseille once again took first place among the most dangerous cities in Europe, while cities in the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia traditionally lead among the safest. Interestingly, this year's ranking of the most dangerous cities in Europe also brought a surprise: last year's leader Bradford fell out of the top five.

We tell you how this index is formed, which cities topped both lists and how much you can trust such assessments when planning a trip.

The top safest countries in the world in 2026 and the criteria for their evaluation are here.

When planning a trip to Europe - especially if it is a long stay - you should take care not only of the route, but also of your own safety in unforeseen situations.

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How does Numbeo calculate the crime index?

It is important to understand: the Numbeo index is not official crime statistics, but the result of online surveys of residents and visitors to cities. Respondents assess how safe they feel during the day and night, how worried they are about robberies, car thefts, assaults or domestic crime, as well as the overall level of problems with drugs and corruption. Each answer is converted into points from -2 to +2, and then scaled to a scale of 0–100. The data is collected over the past five years and updated twice a year in "mid-year" and annual sections, as well as continuously - in "Current" mode.

The resulting score is interpreted as follows: up to 20 - very low crime rate, 20-40 - low, 40-60 - moderate, 60-80 - high, over 80 - very high. The safety index is simply a mirror image of the crime index: the higher it is, the calmer people feel in the city.

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The most dangerous cities in Europe in 2026

The highest crime index score - 67 points - was recorded in Marseille, France. This corresponds to the "high" level according to the Numbeo classification. Next in the ranking are:

- Birmingham, UK – 64.0

- Grenoble, France – 62.7

- Naples, Italy – 62.3

- Coventry, UK – 62.1

- Montpellier, France – 60.4

It is significant that three of the six most dangerous cities in Europe are British, and another three are French. Respondents most often complain about pickpocketing in tourist locations, theft of phones near transport hubs and night-time insecurity in certain areas – this is not so much about mass violence as about domestic crime that tourists encounter.

Five European cities received the highest safety ratings from travelers in 2026 at the link.

The safest cities in Europe

At the opposite pole of the ranking are cities with a minimum crime index, that is, a maximum sense of safety among residents. The lowest score (21.1) was recorded in The Hague, Netherlands. The top five most peaceful cities also included Zagreb (Croatia), Munich, Tallinn and Lugano - all of them scored almost the same score, slightly above 21. That is, the gap between the leader and the "pursuers" is minimal here, unlike the top of the list of dangerous cities.

What has changed compared to last year?

A comparison with mid-2025 data shows an interesting dynamic in the ranking of the most dangerous cities: a year ago, Bradford held the lead with an index of 67.1, while Marseille was in second place. In the new cut, Bradford significantly lost positions and fell below the top 5, while Marseille, on the contrary, led the ranking. Numbeo directly notes: such fluctuations should be interpreted as a change in the subjective perception of residents, and not as evidence of a real increase or decrease in crime in a particular city - official statistics are not used here.

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Should you be guided by such a rating when planning a trip?

The Numbeo index is a convenient guide, but not the basis for final conclusions about the safety of a city. Official crime statistics are difficult to compare across countries: crime recording methods, people’s willingness to contact the police, and the agencies’ own approaches to publishing data vary. Therefore, Numbeo researchers advise treating the index as a tool for comparing the general background, rather than a direct indication of “go or not to go.” The most effective advice for travelers remains the same: keep an eye on your personal belongings in crowded places, choose verified accommodation, and check current travel recommendations for a specific country in advance.

Rules that will help you organize a safe trip in 2026 are here.

Ratings like the Numbeo index remind us that even in “calm” cities, unpleasant surprises can happen – from petty theft to injury or sudden illness. In such situations, the main thing is to be able to quickly get medical care without worrying about the cost of treatment abroad.

A health insurance policy covers a wide range of risks: from doctor's consultation and hospitalization to emergency evacuation or compensation for a route interrupted due to force majeure. This is especially important for those traveling to cities with a higher crime rate or planning a long stay outside the country of residence. The terms of the policy are selected individually - depending on citizenship, destination country and duration of the trip.

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Let's remind you! The world is becoming less predictable, and more and more people are thinking about plan "B" in case of global conflict. Experts have already named countries that can become relatively safe even in crisis conditions. We have already talked about where to go in the event of a world war.

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