Germany · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Berlin scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Berlin remains generally safe for visitors, though pickpocketing is common and terrorism warrants increased caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Germany · Assessed 10 September 2026
74
/ 100
Safer than ~78% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Germany due to terrorism. Terrorist groups and lone actors remain a constant threat in Germany and Europe, attacking people in public locations with knives, small arms, rudimentary explosive devices, and vehicles.”
Updated Tue, 13 May 2025
Full advisory →No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:18:05Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Germany: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-09T10:13:48.140000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated nightlife zones such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain after midnight
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is prevalent on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and at major hubs like Alexanderplatz, Hauptbahnhof, and Warschauer Straße, especially during rush hour and at festivals
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
65/100
Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe walking alone during the day and in well-lit areas at night, though caution is advised on public transport and in certain neighborhoods after dark.
Yes — Berlin remains generally safe for visitors, though pickpocketing is common and terrorism warrants increased caution.
Berlin's composite safety index of 76/100 reflects low violent crime and strong institutions, but petty theft is frequent in transit hubs and tourist areas. Recent far-right electoral gains have sparked large protests, though these have remained peaceful and pose little direct risk to travelers who avoid demonstrations.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Berlin is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong public institutions, but visitors should remain vigilant against petty crime and stay informed about the current social climate. The city's safety profile is bolstered by a low homicide rate (0.9 per 100k), effective policing, and excellent healthcare access, though its status as a major urban center means pickpocketing is a persistent concern, particularly on public transportation and at crowded sites like Alexanderplatz and Hauptbahnhof. Recent far-right electoral gains in September 2026 have triggered large but peaceful protests across Berlin; while these demonstrations do not typically target tourists, avoiding protest zones — especially in central districts — is advisable to prevent unintentional involvement or disruption.
Pickpocketing remains the most common risk to visitors, with organized groups operating on U-Bahn lines U2, U5, and U8, as well as the S-Bahn ring, often using distraction techniques. Scams such as the three-card monte at landmark bridges and fake police demanding bogus checks are frequently reported near tourist hotspots. To stay safe, travelers should secure valuables in front pockets or money belts, use ATMs inside banks, and decline dynamic currency conversion offers. While mugging is uncommon, it can occur in isolated nightlife areas like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain after midnight, so sticking to well-lit, populated streets and using licensed taxis or rideshares late at night is recommended. Overall, Berlin welcomes millions of visitors each year who experience the city safely by exercising standard big-city awareness.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Berlin districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Berlin safety map.
LichtenbergavoidHigher incidence of racially-motivated incidents reported in evenings; exercise caution in areas like Friedrichsfelde and around S-Bahn stations after dark.
MarzahnavoidEastern residential district with sporadic reports of harassment and far-right tensions; avoid isolated parks and transit stops late at night, especially for visible minorities.
MittecautionCentral tourist hub with Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island; pickpocketing common on U-Bahn and at Alexanderplatz, especially crowded areas and festivals.
KreuzbergcautionVibrant nightlife and multicultural area; petty theft and occasional protests reported, particularly around Oranienstraße and Görlitzer Park after dark.
FriedrichshaincautionPopular for bars and clubs; pickpocketing and robbery risks increase late night near Warschauer Straße and Simon-Dach-Straße.
NeuköllncautionDiverse and evolving area; petty crime reported near Sonnenallee and Hermannstraße stations, especially after dark; avoid poorly lit side streets alone at night.
Prenzlauer BergsaferFamily-friendly with cafes and parks; low violent crime, but remain alert for bicycle theft and opportunistic phone-snatching in Mauerpark on weekends.
CharlottenburgsaferUpscale west Berlin with Schloss Charlottenburg and Ku'damm; low crime, but watch for pickpocketing in high-traffic shopping zones and tourist spots.
07 · After Dark
72% of people in Germany say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated nightlife zones such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain after midnight
After dark, be most careful around Lichtenberg, Marzahn, Mitte, Kreuzberg. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Berlin remains generally safe for visitors, though pickpocketing is common and terrorism warrants increased caution. Berlin's composite safety index of 76/100 reflects low violent crime and strong institutions, but petty theft is frequent in transit hubs and tourist areas. Recent far-right electoral gains have sparked large protests, though these have remained peaceful and pose little direct risk to travelers who avoid demonstrations. (Assessed 10 September 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Berlin report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Lichtenberg, Marzahn as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Berlin ranks #9 of 9 Germany destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the Germany safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the Germany safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: berlin.json (CC BY 4.0).
