The 5 Safest Countries To Live In 2026
Countries that stay out of the drama.
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What Safety Feels Like
Safety means “boring” days.
Kids walk home from school. You can leave a bag in a café for 20 minutes and still find it there. Packages sit by the door and no one touches them. Wallets turn up at the lost and found. Neighbours greet each other by name.
Writing these words, it feels like when I describe the small town I grew up in Germany about 3 decades ago.
This guide points you to places like that. If you want less stress in 2026, start here.
Who This Guide Is For
People who want calm days and clear rules. Families who care about schools and healthcare. Solo founders who need focus. Remote workers who want stable internet and safe streets. Anyone who prefers order over noise.
You will get simple picks, why they are safe, how life feels, and the best first steps to move. Enough to choose a place and plan your move.
How I Chose The 5
I started with peace and stability. Respected global peace data and national crime stats. I checked rule of law and corruption. I looked at healthcare, emergency readiness and building standards. Natural risk over the next decade. Social trust.
Most articles talk about how easy it is to get in. That is not the focus here.
I am ranking safety. Some of these countries do not make visas simple. You can move if you plan well and put in the work. My job is to show you where life stays safe once you arrive.
I still ran a practical check. Can you live there in a legal way. Are there clear paths. Are timelines realistic. Are taxes straightforward enough to understand. Peace and everyday safety carry the most weight. Governance and healthcare come next. Disaster risk can move a country down unless readiness is strong. If two places are close, I picked the one with the cleaner path to stay long term.
The result is a short list where calm is normal, services work, and rules are clear. Places you can plan around for years.
Also at the end, I included some runner-ups.
The Safety Stack
This is the lens I use for every country. Six criteria, all simple and practical.
Peace and stability
Is the country calm at home and with neighbors. Trends matter more than one good year.
Everyday safety
Street crime, night walks, crosswalk habits, public transport, busy areas after dark. How it feels to move around.
Healthcare and resilience
Access, quality, emergency response, capacity to handle shocks. Can the system help you fast.
Governance and trust
Rule of law, low corruption, reliable services, social trust. Do promises match reality.
Natural risk
Quakes, storms, floods, fires, and how buildings and systems cope. Risk plus readiness.
Visa and tax practicality
Clear legal paths to stay, realistic timelines, total cost, and a tax setup you can live with.
A place ranks well when most layers are strong. One weak layer can be managed if the others hold and you plan for it. This keeps the focus on real safety, not marketing.
1) Iceland
Safety Ranking: #1 On The Global Peace Index 2025.
Calm days. High trust. Services work. You feel it in small moments. A lost wallet finds its way back. Buses arrive when they should. Streets stay clean.
Safety here is steady. Iceland sits at the top of peace rankings year after year. Street crime is rare. Rule of law is consistent. Institutions do what they say.
Reykjavík is the capital. Work, culture, and community are in one place. Akureyri offers a smaller city with real amenities. English is common. People follow rules because they trust the rules.
Costs are high. Housing and groceries will stretch a budget. The trade is clear. You pay more and get reliable services. Plan with a margin and you stay comfortable.
Healthcare is organised and responsive. Primary care is easy to access. Emergencies are handled well. Specialist care needs planning and sometimes travel. For most needs, the system works when you need it.
Weather can be rough. Earthquakes and volcanic activity exist, but Iceland prepares for this. Building standards are strong. Alerts are clear. Follow guidance and you live well.
Moving here takes effort. EU and EEA citizens have free movement. Others usually come through work or study. It takes planning and paperwork. Taxes are progressive and transparent, you pay and you receive strong public services.
Dark winters are the main trade off. Travel to major hubs takes time. If you need big city feel, this is not the place for you. If you want calm you can feel in daily life, Iceland could be an option.
2) New Zealand
Safety ranking: #3 on the Global Peace Index 2025.
Calm streets. Friendly faces. Nature close by. You feel safe doing normal things. Evening walks. Kids on bikes. A lost item turned in at the café. Life runs at a steady pace.
New Zealand sits near the top of peace data and leads the Asia–Pacific region. Day-to-day crime is low by global standards. Institutions are trusted and services are reliable. That lowers stress and gives you room to focus on work and family.
Where to live depends on your rhythm.
Auckland has the most jobs and flights. Wellington is compact and creative. Christchurch offers space and new-build housing. Smaller towns give you quiet and strong community. English is universal. Social rules are clear and most people follow them.
NZ is not cheap. Housing and groceries can feel high, especially in big cities. Plan a solid budget. Healthcare is organized and responsive. Primary care is easy to get. Hospitals work well when you need them.
Nature is a gift (and a risk). Earthquakes and severe weather happen. Building standards are strict and civil defence guidance is clear. Respect local advice and you live well.
Moving here takes work. Most people come through skilled employment or study. Timelines and paperwork matter. Taxes are progressive. There is no general capital gains tax on most assets. GST applies to purchases.
Trade-offs are distance from other markets and travel time for family abroad. If you want a safe base with strong institutions and an easy daily rhythm, New Zealand fits.
3) Austria
Safety ranking: #4 on the Global Peace Index 2025.
Vienna is the capital. Trams arrive on time. Parks feel cared for. You can walk home late and feel at ease. Life runs on clear rules and most people follow them.
Austria scores high on peace and stability year after year. Police are present without tension. Institutions work as expected. Daily life feels ordered and low stress.
Where to live?
Vienna has culture, jobs, and strong healthcare access. Graz feels smaller and energetic with universities and tech. Innsbruck suits mountain people. Housing is not cheap, so plan a solid budget.
Healthcare is reliable and easy to reach when you need it. Primary care is accessible. Emergencies are handled well. Routine care is straightforward. Coverage runs through social insurance and outcomes are strong.
Natural risk is moderate. Winters are real. Alpine terrain brings weather you need to respect. Roads, rail, and buildings are well managed. Public guidance is clear when conditions change.
EU citizens move on free movement rules. Non-EU citizens usually apply under the Red White Red Card (no this is not a typo) for skilled employment. It is a points system tied to a job. Family members can follow once conditions are met.
Taxes are progressive and social contributions apply. In return you see value in schools, transport, healthcare, and public spaces. Rules are documented and predictable.
If you want a calm, rule-based place where plans hold, Austria fits.
4) Switzerland
Safety ranking: #5 on the Global Peace Index 2025.
Streets are clean. People respect rules and space. You can walk home late and feel calm.
Safety here comes from strong institutions and a stable society. Police are present and professional. The justice system is predictable. Services work the way they are meant to. That lowers stress and keeps daily life simple.
Pick a base that fits your work and language.
Zurich has finance, tech, and a big job market. Geneva leans international with the UN and NGOs. Basel is strong in pharma and research. Bern is quieter and central. Lausanne has a lively lake life with easy access to the mountains. German, French, and Italian are common by region. English works in many offices and services.
Housing, health insurance, and eating out require a real budget. Plan with margin. In return you get reliable transport, safe streets, and public spaces that feel cared for.
Healthcare is private insurance by law. You choose a plan and pay a monthly premium. Care is quick and well organized. Emergencies are handled fast. Doctors and hospitals are high quality. Routine care is easy to book once you are set up.
Nature is part of life. Lakes and mountains are close even in big cities. Alpine weather can be serious. Avalanches and heavy snow are real in winter. The country plans for this and infrastructure is strong. Follow local guidance and you live well.
EU and EFTA citizens have simple immigration paths. Others usually come through employment with permits that tie to a job and canton. There are quotas in some cases. Timelines, documents, and employer support matter. Long term residence comes after years of lawful stay and good integration.
Some more info about the most accessible visa for Switzerland can be found here:
Taxes vary by canton and municipality. Federal tax is the same nationwide. Total rates depend on where you live. Many cantons publish clear calculators so you can plan before you pick a city. The trade is simple. You pay and services deliver.
Social life can take time if you do not speak the local language. Rules are clear and people expect you to follow them. If you want safe streets, clean systems, and plans that hold, Switzerland works.
5) Singapore
Safety ranking: #6 on the Global Peace Index 2025.
Most peaceful in Southeast Asia with strong scores on safety and security.
Even late at night the trains feel normal to ride. People queue without stress. A wallet left on a restaurant table often comes back to you. When I ran the Singapore Marathon in 2019, my friend lost his wallet before the run. He told me “don’t worry, we’ll pick it up at the lost & found later”. I couldn’t believe how calm he was about it.
Singapore is small, so it’s easy to reach all the suburbs with the train. East Coast has parks and sea breeze. Tiong Bahru and Holland Village feel like small towns inside the city.
Costs is extremely high. Rent is high. Eating well can be affordable, if you use hawker centers. Taxis are safe and easy to book. Owning a car is a luxury, due to high tax.
Healthcare is efficient. Hospitals are modern and easy to reach. Emergencies are handled fast. Set up insurance early to keep paperwork simple.
Weather is hot. Heavy rain comes and goes. Flood control works. Some years bring haze, so an air purifier at home helps. There are no earthquakes. Cyclone risk is low.
Moving takes planning. Most people come on a work pass tied to a job or a business plan. Paperwork is exact and timelines matter. Long term options open once you build a track record and contribute.
Taxes are clear and filed online. Rates are moderate for many workers. Everyday systems are digital and predictable.
There are trade offs. High costs and firm rules. Humidity all year. In return you get safe streets, fast responses, and a city that runs on time. If you want a dependable base in Asia where daily life feels calm, Singapore fits.
Honorable Mentions
The five countries above are the safest bets for 2026 in my view. A few others come very close. If you want more choice, start with these below.
Portugal
Warm culture and steady daily life. Good healthcare and simple routines. Lisbon and Porto feel busy. Smaller cities like Braga or Évora give you more calm.
Denmark
High trust and tidy streets. Bikes rule the road and drivers respect them. Services run on time. Winters ask for planning and light at home.
Slovenia
Small, green, and orderly. Ljubljana is friendly and easy to navigate. Roads and rail keep improving. A quiet EU base that still feels connected.
Finland
Very safe with strong schools and services. People give space and keep their word. Winters are long and dark. Plan your routine and you will be fine.
FAQ
Is safety only about low crime?
No. Safety also means strong healthcare, clear rules, trusted police, and low natural risk. It is the whole system.
How do I balance safety and cost?
Pick the right city and neighborhood. Use public transport. Keep a buffer in your budget. Pay for what matters and cut the rest.
Can I try a country before I move?
Yes. Spend a few weeks. Walk at night. Ride the trains. Visit a clinic. Talk to people.
Do these countries allow long stays?
Yes with the right route. Work, study, or other legal paths. It takes planning and documents. Those countries are not as easy to get into as others.
Will language be a problem?
English works in most city settings. Learn basics of the local language and daily life gets easier.
What if I am moving with kids?
Check schools early. Confirm healthcare access. Visit parks and after school options.
Do I need a car?
Usually no. These places have safe, reliable transport. Use trains, buses, and bikes. Especially Singapore is super pricey for cars.
How should I handle taxes?
Plan before you arrive. Know your home rules and the new rules. If your setup is complex, speak to a cross border tax pro.
Safety Is a Key Factor
Thanks for reading. Safety comes first because it holds the rest of life together.
Choose one country that feels right. Pick one city to test. Stay two weeks. Walk at night. Ride the trains. Visit a clinic. Notice how you feel day to day. If calm is your default most days, you found your spot.
Reply with your one pick and the city you will try first.
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