Safest cities in Netherlands
24 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in the NetherlandsTerrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the Netherlands.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common, particularly in central Amsterdam and around Amsterdam Central Station. Thieves often operate in gangs on the trains and trams to and from Schiphol airport and Central Station. One thief distracts you while another steals your bag. Sleeping on trains can make you an easy target.
- Fake police scamsAmsterdam police have warned of criminals using false police identities to trick tourists into handing over cash and credit cards. They will usually say that it is part of an investigation into counterfeit money or false credit cards. Be very cautious about any approaches.
- Drug sellersAvoid confrontation with anyone offering you drugs. Stay away from quiet or dark alleys, particularly late at night.
- Drink spikingThere is a risk of drink spiking, particularly for young women and solo travellers. Do not leave your drink unattended. If you are in a group, make sure you stay together.
- Organised crimeThere are regular incidents of violent crime among organised crime gangs involved in drug trafficking, particularly in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and other large cities. Confrontations between rival gangs have led to violent incidents including shootings, stabbings, and use of homemade explosives.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAnyone aged 14 or over must always be able to show identification. British nationals should use their passport as ID. Dual nationals can show a Dutch driving licence, Dutch passport or identity card.
- Illegal drugsThe Netherlands has a reputation for being tolerant on the use of ‘soft drugs’, such as cannabis. However, drug use is only tolerated in designated premises in the major cities. Buying or possessing prohibited drugs and substances outside of designated areas, including when transiting through airports, is illegal and can result in a prison…
- Canal laws and dangersEvery year people drown in the canals of Amsterdam and in canals elsewhere in the Netherlands. The majority of drownings happen after heavy drinking or smoking cannabis. Take care when walking beside canals.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in the Netherlands, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Netherlands guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- Driving regulationsTraffic offences can carry heavy, on-the-spot fines. If you pay a fine, always ask for a receipt.
- Pedestrian safetyBe on the look-out for cyclists, mopeds and trams when crossing roads, especially on zebra crossings. If you do not use marked crossings on roads, you could be fined for jaywalking.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Netherlands, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.66 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 25.72021
- Human development
- HDI 0.9552023
- Income
- $85,480/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 4.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 73/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 86/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 78/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.91GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 8.6 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.9 doctors /1k2.4 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 8.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 1.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Netherlands (as of 2025).
How Netherlands compares
| Measure | Netherlands | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.7 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.7 /100k — better for Netherlands |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 25.7 | 35.2 | −9.5 — better for Netherlands |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.955 | 0.763 | +0.192 — better for Netherlands |
| Road deaths | 4.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −11.4 /100k — better for Netherlands |
| Rule of law | 86/100 | 52/100 | +34/100 — better for Netherlands |
| Corruption perceptions | 78/100 | 39/100 | +39/100 — better for Netherlands |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −11.1 µg/m³ — better for Netherlands |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.5/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.3/10 — better for Netherlands |
| Measure | Netherlands | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.7 /100k | 1.0 /100k | −0.3 /100k — better for Netherlands |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 25.7 | 30.7 | −5.0 — better for Netherlands |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.955 | 0.907 | +0.048 — better for Netherlands |
| Road deaths | 4.0 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −1.8 /100k — better for Netherlands |
| Rule of law | 86/100 | 73/100 | +13/100 — better for Netherlands |
| Corruption perceptions | 78/100 | 56/100 | +23/100 — better for Netherlands |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 11.8 µg/m³ | −3.2 µg/m³ — better for Netherlands |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | ±0.0/10 |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 24 cities, safest first
- Utrecht88.0 · #113 worldwide
- Eindhoven88.0 · #114 worldwide
- Nijmegen88.0 · #115 worldwide
- Arnhem88.0 · #116 worldwide
- Amersfoort88.0 · #117 worldwide
- Groningen88.0 · #118 worldwide
- Alkmaar88.0 · #119 worldwide
- 's-Hertogenbosch88.0 · #120 worldwide
- Apeldoorn88.0 · #121 worldwide
- Enschede88.0 · #122 worldwide
- Zwolle88.0 · #123 worldwide
- Amsterdam85.1 · #229 worldwide
- Haarlem85.1 · #230 worldwide
- Almere85.1 · #231 worldwide
- Heemskerk85.1 · #232 worldwide
- Tilburg85.0 · #233 worldwide
- Breda85.0 · #234 worldwide
- Maastricht85.0 · #235 worldwide
- Heerlen84.2 · #243 worldwide
- The Hague78.4 · #2034 worldwide
- The Hague78.4 · #2035 worldwide
- Leiden78.4 · #2036 worldwide
- Dordrecht78.4 · #2037 worldwide
- Zoetermeer78.4 · #2038 worldwide