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Netherlands · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Groningen scores 89/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Groningen is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands for visitors, with very low violent crime and rare incidents affecting tourists. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
The Netherlands · Assessed 13 October 2026
89
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Check separate travel advice pages for advice on travel to the constituent countries and special municipalities in the Dutch Caribbean. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:45:25Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Netherlands: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-09T10:18:33.7173554-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare and typically not directed at visitors; occasional incidents occur near the train station late at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded spots like Grote Markt, Vismarkt, and on buses, especially during market days and events.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Visitors consistently report feeling safe walking alone in Groningen, with high scores for daytime safety and strong confidence after dark, reflecting low anxiety about personal crime.
Yes. Groningen is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands for visitors, with very low violent crime and rare incidents affecting tourists.
Groningen benefits from low homicide and robbery rates, strong governance, and high perceived safety during daylight. While petty theft can occur in crowded areas like the city center and train station, visitors report feeling secure walking alone at night. The city's safety is reinforced by effective policing and minimal terrorism or conflict risk.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Groningen remains exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime virtually absent from visitor experiences. The city center, including Grote Markt and Vismarkt, sees regular foot traffic and a visible police presence, contributing to a strong sense of security. While the dossier includes tragic domestic incidents from June 2026, these are isolated family-related events with no indication of risk to tourists or connection to public spaces. Pickpocketing remains the most relevant concern, particularly during weekday markets or festivals when crowds gather near the main squares. Travelers should secure bags and avoid displaying valuables in these zones. Bicycle theft is also common due to the city’s cycling culture, so using a certified lock and anchoring to immovable objects is essential. Licensed taxis are recommended after midnight, as unlicensed operators sometimes target nightlife areas near the Grote Markt and Poelestraat. Overall, Groningen’s safety reflects its high institutional trust, low corruption, and effective urban management, allowing visitors to explore confidently with standard precautions.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Groningen districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Groningen safety map.
KorrewegwijkavoidNorthwest area with higher incidence of drug use and property crime; avoid walking alone at night.
HelpmancautionEastern residential zone; higher property crime reports, avoid poorly lit streets after dark.
Indische BuurtcautionSoutheast neighbourhood with mixed-use housing; moderate theft risk, stay alert near public transit hubs.
PaddepoelcautionWestern residential district; occasional drug-related incidents reported, exercise caution after dark.
Groningen City CentresaferWell-patrolled historic core with low violent crime; watch for pickpockets in busy areas like Grote Markt.
OosterpoortsaferResidential area north of centre with student population; generally safe day and night, occasional bike theft.
SelwerdsaferSouthwest area near university; safe for visitors, standard precautions for belongings advised.
HoogkerksaferNorthern village-turned-suburb; low crime, family-friendly, minimal safety concerns for travelers.
07 · After Dark
Mugging and armed robbery are rare and typically not directed at visitors; occasional incidents occur near the train station late at night.
After dark, be most careful around Korrewegwijk, Helpman, Indische Buurt, Paddepoel. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Groningen is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands for visitors, with very low violent crime and rare incidents affecting tourists. Groningen benefits from low homicide and robbery rates, strong governance, and high perceived safety during daylight. While petty theft can occur in crowded areas like the city center and train station, visitors report feeling secure walking alone at night. The city's safety is reinforced by effective policing and minimal terrorism or conflict risk. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Groningen 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 Korrewegwijk as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Groningen ranks #4 of 9 Netherlands destinations we've assessed, scoring 89/100. See the Netherlands safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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.
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Raw data: groningen.json (CC BY 4.0).
