How Poland compares with its neighbours
The Global Peace Index ranks 163 countries on crime, conflict and stability. Lower is safer. In 2026, Poland made the biggest jump of any country, climbing 23 places.
- Czechianeighbour13
- Poland22
- Lithuanianeighbour24
- Germanyneighbour28
- Slovakianeighbour29
- UKfor comparison39
- Francefor comparison99
- Belarusneighbour115
- USAfor comparison134
- Ukraineneighbour160
- Russianeighbour163
Russia borders Poland through its Kaliningrad region. Source: Institute for Economics & Peace, Global Peace Index 2026.
Two more ways to measure it
What the US government tells its own travellers, and how safe residents and visitors say they feel.
| Country | US travel advisory | Perceived crime |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1 | 28.7 |
| Czechia | 1 | 26.4 |
| Slovakia | 1 | 31.1 |
| Lithuania | 1 | n/a |
| Germany | 2 | 38.4 |
| Ukraine | 4 | 46.9 |
| Belarus | 4 | 48.5 |
| Russia | 4 | n/a |
| UK | 2 | 48.3 |
| France | 2 | 55.8 |
Advisories from travel.state.gov, checked November 2026. Perceived crime is Numbeo's 2026 Crime Index for Europe, built from visitor and resident surveys rather than police records.
The short version
Murders per 100,000 people
Poland's rate in 2023, one of the lowest in Europe.
Places gained in one year
Poland moved from 45th to 22nd on the Global Peace Index between 2025 and 2026, the largest improvement of any of the 163 countries measured.
The lowest US advisory level
The US State Department tells Americans to take normal precautions in Poland. Germany, France and the UK all sit a level higher, mainly over terrorism risk.
Yes, but
A fair answer includes the parts that aren't flattering.
The roads are the real risk
Poland had 52 road deaths per million people in 2024, above the EU average of 44. It is improving fast: in 2025 it fell to 45 per million, down 43% since 2019. If you drive, take extra care on rural roads at night.
The eastern border is not a sightseeing area
Poland closed its border with Belarus in September 2025, and some areas near it are restricted. Check the current crossing rules before planning anything in the east, and avoid zones marked off-limits.
The war next door has spilled over, a little
In September 2025, Russian drones entered Polish airspace and parts of it were briefly closed. A 2026 international report found Poland is the main target of Russian sabotage attempts in Europe, with 31 of 151 recorded incidents since 2022. Poland has answered by becoming NATO's biggest defence spender relative to its economy, at 4.8% of GDP.
Ordinary city sense still applies
Pickpocketing happens in busy tourist spots, as it does in any European capital. Use licensed taxis or ride apps, and keep an eye on your phone in crowded trams.