Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to terrorism.”
Updated Fri, 09 Aug 2024
Full advisory →Is The Hague safe? 🇳🇱
Netherlands · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, The Hague scores 89/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — The Hague is one of Europe's safest major cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
The Hague 🇳🇱
The Netherlands · Assessed 29 July 2026
89
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~95% of countries
What drives this score
Crime92/100GoodCrime index 20.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability84Good
Health93Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-07-15T08:11:26Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Netherlands: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-13T14:53:10.4800879-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Netherlands0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and virtually never occur in the city centre; most incidents involve locals in peripheral neighborhoods after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded tram lines, the Grote Markt, and Scheveningen beach during peak summer hours, especially targeting backpacks and loose wallets
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling safe walking during daylight and at night in the historic centre, with only minor concerns about pickpockets in busy areas
Yes — The Hague is one of Europe's safest major cities for visitors.
The Hague scores 89/100 on the composite safety index, placing it far safer than most countries and cities, with low violent crime, strong rule of law, and no active disaster alerts. While petty theft and pickpocketing are the most common risks, especially in crowded tourist zones, there are no recent violent incidents targeting travelers.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Unrest in The Hague after Morocco's World Cup victory, with street clashes and a few arrests reported near the city centre— NL Times
- Jun 2026Clashes erupt in The Hague following Morocco's World Cup win, police deployed to maintain order— Euronews.com
- Jul 2026International Criminal Court holds special tribunal session on Ukraine, drawing diplomatic traffic but no safety impact— UNITED24 Media
- Jul 2026Sara Duterte joins pro‑father protest in The Hague, police monitor crowd but no incidents reported— Inquirer.net
Common scams
- Distraction thefts at busy tram stops and train stations
- Aggressive seagull food‑snatching in Scheveningen beach crowds
- Fake police or security personnel attempting to search bags in tourist areas
Full briefing
The Hague is exceptionally safe for travelers, ranking among Europe’s lowest‑crime capitals with a composite safety score of 89/100 and virtually no violent crime against visitors. The most tangible risks are opportunistic thefts: pickpocketing in crowded tram carriages, at the Grote Markt, and on the busy Scheveningen beach, where aggressive seagulls also snatch food. A few recent headlines noted short‑lived street clashes after Morocco’s World Cup win and a protest by Sara Duterte, but both were quickly contained by police and posed no lasting threat to tourists. Official government advisories sit at Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution — citing generic terrorism warnings that have not translated into any concrete danger in The Hague.
To stay safe, keep valuables in front pockets or zip‑pered bags, use only licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share apps, and stay alert in busy transit hubs and tourist hotspots. Carry a photocopy of your passport and leave the original stored securely. While the city centre feels safe after dark, avoid poorly lit peripheral districts such as parts of Laak and Escamp after midnight, and stick to well‑patrolled tram lines that have security staff on board during evening hours. By following these simple precautions you can enjoy The Hague’s museums, courts, and beaches with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 The Hague districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the The Hague safety map.
VreburgavoidHigh petty crime and gang activity reported; avoid after dark
ScheveningencautionBusy beach area with pickpocketing and aggressive seagulls; safe during day, avoid isolated spots after dark
LaakcautionHigher petty crime rates reported; stay alert, avoid poorly lit areas at night
EscampcautionKnown for occasional disturbances; advisable to limit nighttime travel alone
BinnenstadsaferHigh police presence, tourist hub, low violent crime, but watch pickpockets in crowds
TrekvlietsaferResidential area with low incidents; generally quiet and safe for visitors
LoosduinensaferQuiet neighborhood with minimal crime reports; safe for evening walks
KoninginwegsaferUpscale area near embassies; well-patrolled and low risk
07 · After Dark
Is The Hague safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and virtually never occur in the city centre; most incidents involve locals in peripheral neighborhoods after dark
After dark, be most careful around Vreburg, Scheveningen, Laak, Escamp. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight The Hague's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight90
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight90
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight90
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight90
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight90
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight89
09 · Questions
The Hague safety FAQ
Is The Hague safe for tourists right now?
Yes — The Hague is one of Europe's safest major cities for visitors. The Hague scores 89/100 on the composite safety index, placing it far safer than most countries and cities, with low violent crime, strong rule of law, and no active disaster alerts. While petty theft and pickpocketing are the most common risks, especially in crowded tourist zones, there are no recent violent incidents targeting travelers. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of The Hague should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Vreburg as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in The Hague?
- Distraction thefts at busy tram stops and train stations
- Aggressive seagull food‑snatching in Scheveningen beach crowds
- Fake police or security personnel attempting to search bags in tourist areas
How does The Hague compare with other places in Netherlands?
The Hague ranks #1 of 7 Netherlands destinations we've assessed, scoring 89/100. See the Netherlands safety overview for the full list.
How is this The Hague safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Netherlands reports
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4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Netherlands safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: the-hague.json (CC BY 4.0).