The 15 Safest Countries To Travel, Ranked In A New Report

From war to terrorism to civil unrest, the world is facing turmoil on many fronts. In May 2024, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution alert, warning travelers about the increased risks of terrorism, protests and violence. Yet despite these challenges, global travel is booming: According to a report last month from the UN World Tourism Organization, international travel in 2024 is already up 11% over 2023 and might be on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

But navigating the complexities of this changing world requires caution, and for travelers, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about which countries are truly safe. So what are the safest countries to travel to? You can find the answers in the seventh annual report from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection on the Safest Countries in the World for 2025.

Since 2016, Berkshire Hathaway has been surveying American travelers, combining their experiences with data from sources like the Global Peace Index, Numbeo and GeoSure Global. These insights help the company rank countries based on crime, terrorism risks, health systems and travel safety.

However, Berkshire Hathaway cautions that its ratings don’t account for random terrorist acts and natural disasters. “It also doesn’t mean that any given country is safe right this moment, or that every part of the country is as safe as any other,” write the authors of the report. “Israel is a perfect example. Travelers to the country say it’s safe, but you probably don’t want to visit right now.”

So what is the safest country for 2025? Iceland topped the list, making a notable jump from last year, when it was ranked ninth. Despite recent natural disasters (erupting volcanoes, collapsing ice caves), Iceland has a low crime rate and a peaceful, small population. According to Berkshire Hathaway, the country’s one main road also contributes to the safety, as it means there are fewer traffic concerns. “Logic dictates that it’s hard to have traffic accidents if you don’t have traffic,” write the authors of the report. And while volcanic eruptions remain a concern, Berkshire Hathaway notes that “you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more languorous about it than the Icelanders.”

In this year’s safest countries list, Australia came in second place, due to its remote location and low crime rates. However, Berkshire Hathaway warns travelers to be mindful of the country’s dangerous wildlife—from poisonous jellyfish to crocodiles.

Canada, which topped the list last year, fell to third in 2025. Berkshire Hathaway says that its low population density and sprawling wilderness make it a low-crime destination–but travelers should be cautious of encounters with wildlife, from bears in national parks to elk on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Ireland—which ranked fourth—continues to be a safe and welcoming destination, though Berkshire Hathaway says that travelers should be prepared for the challenges of driving on the left side of narrow roads.

Rounding out the top five was Switzerland, which is known for its orderly cities and infrastructure. But Berkshire Hathaway cautions that the country’s Alpine regions pose a growing risk due to avalanches and landslides, which have become more common with the changing climate.

Some of the big changes on this year’s list include New Zealand, which returned to the top 10, climbing to sixth place after being ranked 11th last year. Berkshire Hathaway notes that its isolated location and strict biosecurity measures help keep crime low. Germany also made a big leap, moving from 18th place to the seventh spot. According to Berkshire Hathaway, its cities continue to rank highly for safety, while its countryside is even more secure.

Other notable changes included the United Kingdom, which fell from sixth to 13th, and the Netherlands, which dropped from fifth to 14th, largely due to concerns about drug policies in urban areas. And again, the United States didn’t appear in the list of top 15 safest countries in the world.

Besides the overall list, Berkshire Hathaway’s report also delves into specific categories of safety, highlighting the top performers in areas like crime prevention, transportation and health systems. The company also broke out lists for women, LGBTQ+ travelers and more.

And this year, Berkshire Hathaway created—for the first time—a Safe Travel Hall of Fame to acknowledge countries that have averaged a top 10 position since the started ranking the safest places in 2018.

Read on for the list of the world’s 15 safest countries to travel, as well as some of the broken-out lists and the Hall of Fame list.

Ranked: The 15 Safest Countries In The World To Travel

Here’s the full list of the safest countries for 2025.

1. Iceland
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. Ireland
5. Switzerland
6. New Zealand
7. Germany
8. Norway
9. Japan
10. Denmark
11. Portugal
12. Spain
13. United Kingdom
14. Netherlands
15. Sweden

Ranked: The Safest Countries From Violent Crime

Berkshire Hathaway’s list also reveals which countries perform best in certain areas. Here is a look at the world’s safest places, statistically, when it comes to violent crime.

1. Norway
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. Ireland
5. Iceland
6. New Zealand
7. United Arab Emirates
8. Germany
9. Italy
10. Portugal

Ranked: The Safest Countries From Terrorism

When it comes to terrorism, the UAE is the safest country, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s report.

1. United Arab Emirates
2. Canada
3. Ireland
4. New Zealand
5. Australia
6. Norway
7. Iceland
8. Japan
9. Switzerland
10. Portugal

Ranked: The Safest Countries For Transportation Safety

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. Ireland
5. Denmark
6. Germany
7. Japan
8. Iceland
9. Italy
10. Portugal

Ranked: The Safest Countries For Health Measures

1. Canada
2. Norway
3. New Zealand
4. Ireland
5. Italy
6. Australia
7. Iceland
8. Germany
9. United Arab Emirates
10. Portugal

Ranked: The Safest Countries For Women, LGBTQIA+ Travelers And People Of Color

Costa Rica made the top 10 for the first time.

1. New Zealand
2. Canada
3. Ireland
4. Australia
5. United Kingdom
6. Costa Rica
7. Iceland
8. Norway
9. Germany
10. Italy

Safest Countries: Hall of Fame

While the top 15 safest countries can shift from year to year, certain destinations have consistently earned high marks in safety. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has created a Safe Travel Hall of Fame to honor countries that have maintained a top 10 ranking since 2018. This list is in no specific order.

• Switzerland

• Australia

• Canada

• New Zealand

• Iceland

• Norway

• Ireland

• Japan

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