Both Germany and the UK are considered very safe, with similar, low overall crime levels, making the "safer" choice largely dependent on location and personal caution. Germany is often highlighted for its high quality of life and safety, while both countries share risks related to pickpocketing in tourist areas and low-level terrorism threats.
Generally speaking, life in Germany is more systematic, as you pay a lot of taxes and experience a lack of friendliness around you. On the other hand, living in the UK can be challenging in terms of salary, but people are sure to welcome you with open arms for the first pint of beer.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
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Is Germany a high risk country?
Violent crime is rare in Germany but can occur. It is more common in larger cities, large metropolitan subway systems, and in train stations. Most crimes occur during late night or early morning hours. Most incidents of street crime involve the theft of unattended items and pickpocketing.
It ranked 20th in 2025, the leading group showing only marginal differences in scores in some cases. According to the Police Crime Statistics, 5.8 million criminal offences were recorded in Germany in 2024, with a clear-up rate of around 58 percent.
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia and Canada to be the most peaceful countries, while Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Russia, Syria, Israel and Mali to be the least peaceful.
Singapore ranks as the world's safest country. The rankings are based on surveys across 144 nations, measuring the share of residents who feel safe walking alone at night. That is according to Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report.
Quality of life. Quality of life factors highly for Brits moving abroad, and Germany's clean, safe cities with lots of green spaces, as well as a lower cost of living then UK all make it a fantastic destination for an international move.
Is It Cheaper to Live in Germany or the UK? Germany is generally more affordable than the UK, with lower housing costs and utilities in most regions. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Berlin averages €1,200 per month, compared to around £1,600 in London.
Yes, most well-traveled areas are safe at night. Even so, more caution helps after dark. Violence is rare but can happen late at night, especially near stations in large cities. Use well-lit streets and avoid deserted places.
If you are looking for the safest places to live in the UK right now, recent crime-index data points you towards elegant market and cathedral cities such as Harrogate, Wokingham, Chester, Sevenoaks and Horsham, along with low-crime areas like St Albans, Salisbury, Windsor, Guildford, Lincoln, Norwich and Bath.
Yemen is the least peaceful country in the world in the 2024 GPI, followed by Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. This is the first year that Yemen has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the world, with the country having fallen 24 places in the rankings since the inception of the index.
In simple terms, the world's most dangerous countries include Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Mali, as these nations consistently face active warfare, high levels of violence and major political or humanitarian crises.
Crime rates are high in big cities like Bremen, Berlin and Frankfurt, for example, partly because social inequality is higher there than in rural areas. Generally, Germany can be considered a "very safe country," said Karstedt, adding that like in other Western countries "crime has gone down since the 1980s, 1990s."
Munich. Munich is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world: according to Numbeo, its safety index is 78.8 points — one of the best in Europe. The city combines a high level of security, a strong economy and developed infrastructure.
It described attempts to create "national liberated zones" (national befreite Zonen) in Germany: "'no-go-areas', which are areas dominated by neo-Nazis," attributing their appeal in the former DDR to "the unmet promises of modernisation and the poor socio-cultural conditions that offer no perspectives to young people".
There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Germany. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. There have been multiple attacks using vehicles or knives in the last year. Be alert in public places and report suspicious activity to the police (see 'Safety').
