Safest Countries for Expats: Low Crime and Pathways to Residency and Citizenship

• Global Peace Index 2024 keeps Iceland at #1; Denmark now ranks 8th, while Austria rises to 3rd (Vision of Humanity).
• Portugal’s Golden Visa no longer accepts real estate; investment routes focus on funds, culture, or job creation (10 jobs) since Oct 7, 2023.
• Ireland tightened rules in Nov 2025: citizenship residency set at 5 years and a €44,000 income floor for family reunification (Reuters).
• New Zealand will relaunch investor visas in April 2025 with two revamped categories; broader residency paths for trades were expanded in 2025 (Reuters).
• Singapore tops safety perceptions globally: 98% of adults feel safe walking alone at night (VnExpress report).

Last updated 11 December 2025

Safety is a top priority for expats choosing where to live, especially families and investors seeking predictable, low-crime environments. This guide highlights the safest countries for expats, drawing on the latest Global Peace Index data and recent immigration policy changes. It also outlines how to secure residency and, ultimately, citizenship where available—so you can relocate confidently and legally.

What Makes a Country Truly Safe to Live In?

Low crime is essential—but true safety also depends on the rule of law, political stability, and social resilience. The Global Peace Index (GPI) measures national peacefulness across multiple indicators, including societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarization, giving expats a consistent way to compare countries’ safety records year over year (Vision of Humanity’s Global Peace Index 2024).

For relocators, the safest choices tend to combine: predictable governance, trusted policing, effective justice systems, and strong social cohesion. These factors correlate with lower violent crime and better day-to-day security—key considerations for families and investors.

Comparative Analysis: Top Safe Countries

The GPI’s 2024 results confirm ongoing stability in several familiar “safe havens” for expats. Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful country. Austria has advanced into the top tier, and Denmark—still very safe—now ranks 8th globally (Vision of Humanity, 2024). Perceived safety is also exceptionally high in Singapore: 98% of adults report feeling safe walking alone at night (VnExpress, Nov 2025 data point).

• Iceland: World’s most peaceful country in 2024 (Vision of Humanity).
• Austria: Rises into the top three globally in 2024 (Vision of Humanity).
• Denmark: Still a standout for safety, ranking 8th in 2024 (Vision of Humanity).
• Singapore: Leading public safety perception—98% feel safe at night (VnExpress).

Several destinations popular with expats—such as Portugal, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Ireland—continue to perform strongly on safety metrics, while also updating immigration pathways. The summary below captures key 2023–2025 rule changes that affect residency and citizenship planning.

Crime and Safety Analysis: Insights from the Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index is the most widely used benchmark for comparing national safety profiles. In 2024, it confirms Iceland as the world’s most peaceful country and shows movement among European leaders—Austria rises to 3rd, while Denmark, though still highly secure, sits at 8th (Vision of Humanity, GPI 2024).

Personal safety perceptions also matter for expats’ everyday lives. In Singapore, 98% of adults report feeling safe walking alone at night, a strong signal of both effective policing and social cohesion (VnExpress, Nov 2025). These metrics—objective and subjective—help families and employers assess real-world conditions on the ground.

Key takeaway: If safety is your prime criterion, the GPI and credible public-safety surveys provide a robust starting point for shortlisting destinations (Vision of Humanity; VnExpress).

European Countries with Low Crime Rates

Europe accounts for many of the world’s safest jurisdictions for expats. Iceland continues to lead globally, with Austria and other European countries regularly appearing in the GPI’s highest ranks (Vision of Humanity, 2024). Switzerland also remains a byword for community safety and predictable governance, while Portugal and Ireland combine strong peace scores with attractive lifestyles—though both have updated immigration policies in recent years (HS Golden Visa Funds; Reuters Ireland 2025).

When comparing options, consider not only aggregate safety but also policy stability around visas, residency, and citizenship. Our in-depth guides to residency permits, citizenship, and visas explain the building blocks that apply across jurisdictions.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship Pathways

Residency and citizenship frameworks evolve, and 2023–2025 brought several meaningful changes in top safe countries. Here is what expats and investors should know now:

Portugal: Golden Visa reformed—no real estate option

• Since Oct 7, 2023, Portugal’s Golden Visa excludes real estate purchases. Eligible routes include fund investments, support for cultural projects (from €250,000), and job creation—now set at 10 permanent jobs (up from 5) (HS Golden Visa Funds, 2023).

Bottom line: Residency-by-investment remains viable, but it is now oriented toward productive, non-property capital and employment outcomes (HS Golden Visa Funds).

Ireland: 2025 tightening on residency and family reunification

• In Nov 2025, Ireland announced reforms raising the citizenship residency period to 5 years and setting a €44,000 annual income threshold for family reunification (Reuters, Nov 2025). This reflects pressure from high net migration and aims to standardize stricter eligibility (Reuters, Nov 2025).

New Zealand: Revamped investor visas from April 2025; broader residency access for select workers

• Two refreshed investor categories will launch in April 2025, replacing prior Investor 1/2 schemes, to attract a wider mix of capital (Reuters, Feb 2025).
• Separately, New Zealand announced in 2025 a loosened path to residency for some migrants in trades and health, complementing earlier measures to address skills gaps (Reuters, Sept 2025).

Switzerland: Points-based skilled immigration in 2025

• Switzerland introduced a 60-point skilled immigration system in 2025 and expanded labor access for Croatian nationals, refining how talent is assessed and admitted (VisaVerge, 2025).

Malta: Citizenship-by-investment halted following EU court ruling

• In April 2025, the EU’s top court ruled against Malta’s “golden passport” scheme, effectively ending EU-compliant citizenship-by-investment in Malta (Reuters, Apr 2025).

Practical guidance for expats:

• Work and family routes remain the most common paths to residency in safe jurisdictions; employer sponsorships and family reunification policies vary and are evolving.
• Investment options are converging toward productive capital and job creation (Portugal, New Zealand), with due-diligence expectations rising (Malta’s outcome is instructive).
• Check each country’s latest rules and processing times before committing capital or relocating, and map your end goal—permanent residence versus citizenship—from day one.

Need tailored advice? Explore our guides to residency permits, citizenship planning, and investment structuring, or speak to our team.

Conclusion: Finding Your Safe Haven

The safest countries for expats share a common profile: stable governance, trusted institutions, and low crime—validated by the Global Peace Index (Vision of Humanity, 2024). For many, Iceland, Austria, Denmark, Singapore, Portugal, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Ireland are at the top of the shortlist, but immigration frameworks have shifted. With Portugal’s Golden Visa refocused, Ireland’s tightened eligibility, New Zealand’s investor relaunch, Switzerland’s new points system, and Malta’s CBI closure, it is essential to plan your route to residency and citizenship with up-to-date guidance (HS Golden Visa Funds; Reuters; VisaVerge).

Our firm helps families and investors evaluate options, structure applications, and move compliantly. Ready to chart your path to a low-crime, high-stability jurisdiction? Contact us for a confidential consultation.

Considering a move? Our team can help you compare residency and citizenship routes, structure investments, and manage filings end-to-end. Contact us to get started.

Safest Countries for Expats (2025): Rankings, Rules, Residency