Including Canada and an Arab country… These are the safest travel destinations in the world for 2026

As the holiday season approaches, a new report issued by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection revealed the list of the safest countries for travelers in 2026, based on evaluations from thousands of American tourists and data from accredited global indices.
According to the report, the Netherlands ranked first globally after a significant jump compared to the 2024 ranking, while Canada took fifth place, and the United Arab Emirates appeared seventh as the most prominent Arab destination on the list. In contrast, the United States was completely absent from the overall ranking despite declining crime rates.

How was the list prepared?

The company relied in its report on a survey that included 1,800 American travelers who rated the countries they visited according to the level of safety, in addition to integrating the results with data from:
Global Peace Index
Numbeo platform
Standards related to health security, climate, terrorism, and the safety of marginalized groups
A company spokesperson said that the concept of a “safe country” has changed among travelers to include new elements such as ease of access to healthcare, weather stability, quality of emergency services, and social inclusion.

Increasing concern among American travelers

A separate survey showed that 16% of Americans now feel anxious about international travel, whether due to the possibility of injury or visiting places they previously considered unsafe.

Results: Netherlands first… and the UAE among the best globally

The Netherlands topped the list with an almost perfect rating in aspects of health, safety, and the security of women and travelers of color. Nevertheless, fast electric bikes posed the most alerting danger to travelers due to their widespread presence and dedicated lanes.
Australia came in second thanks to its advanced health ranking and level of safety against terrorist attacks.

Austria came third despite its previous absence from the list, followed by Iceland, which dropped to fourth place due to the risks of volcanic eruptions that could disrupt vital roads.
Canada took fifth place, while the United Arab Emirates was the only Arab country on the list, ranking seventh ahead of Switzerland, Japan, and Ireland.

The complete list of the 15 safest countries in the world (2026):

Netherlands
Australia
Austria
Iceland
Canada
New Zealand
United Arab Emirates
Switzerland
Japan
Ireland
Belgium
Portugal
France
United Kingdom
Denmark

Tips to ensure safe travel in 2026

Berkshire Hathaway recommended that travelers register in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to facilitate issuing alerts and tracking travelers in emergencies.