Be Safe In Europe This Year

A new study reveals the safest countries in Europe to visit this year – but don’t skip travel insurance!

It sometimes seems that, in India, we live by the skin of our teeth when it comes to safety. We are used to living big and sometimes unsafely, and we take it in our stride. But that doesn’t mean that we want to take chances in a foreign land, and especially on a hard-earned vacation. Some research is always warranted before we pay big bucks for tickets and stay.

Now a new research study by Forbes Advisor has revealed the safest countries to go on holiday to in 2022. The study analysed metrics such as the rate of thefts and homicides, the quality of healthcare and the quality of bathing waters across 29 European countries, and used these results to reach a final safety score. 

A Forbes Advisor spokesperson is quoted to have said, “Safety can be a decisive factor when people are considering where to spend their holidays, and these figures show there are considerable differences across Europe when measuring factors such as the quality of bathing waters or the levels of theft… These numbers (also) shed a light on the importance of travel insurance when moving around different countries. Being covered by travel insurance means you can receive financial compensation for losses as well as covering medical expenses in the country you are visiting, making the experience as smooth and calm as possible.” 

Here, then, are the safest European countries to visit this year...

Switzerland (main image)

With a Safety Score of 88.3, Switzerland emerges as the safest country to visit this year – which is great, considering how Indians love this European country made famous by Bollywood. It has the best quality of healthcare among all the countries analysed, and rates sixth for the best quality of bathing waters, with 93% of these in the country being of excellent quality. With regards to pollution, Switzerland has a PM2.5 concentration of 10.8, which means it has the tenth cleanest air in the world, as well as a low rate of homicides compared to other countries.     

FYI: Cyprus has the best bathing water quality in Europe. 

With one of the lowest homicide rates, Slovenia is next on the safety scale of European countries to visit, with a Safety Score of 82.3. Pollution and quality of healthcare are average, but the country’s bathing waters are largely excellent. Slovenia is also rated as safe for a solo trip.

Portugal 

At number three, Portugal has a Safety Score of 82.1, and is ranked seventh for quality of waters (93%), and fourth for quality of air, with one of the lowest rates of air pollution. 

FYI: Finland has the lowest rate of air pollution. 

Austria 

Austria, number four on this list, has one of the highest percentages of excellent bathing waters (98%), and comes in  seventh for the quality of its healthcare. The homicide rate is also low compared to other countries.  

Germany 

Germany makes a great destination for swimmers and beach bums with excellent bathing (93%), great air quality (eighth in this listing) and a low number of homicides per million (6.9).  

Images: Shutterstock

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