For brokers keeping an eye on travel-risk trends, the 2026 global safety rankings show familiar leaders, a few surprise risers, and plenty of opportunities to refine advice and product placement. The Netherlands has taken first place as the world’s safest travel destination, with Australia holding firm in second. Austria debuts impressively in third, while Iceland slips slightly to fourth. The United Arab Emirates continues its sharp climb, cracking the top ten at seventh.
At the city level, Reykjavik remains the safest in the world, followed by Copenhagen and Zurich. Sydney comes in sixth — a reminder that domestic and regional travel remains a dependable focus for Australian intermediaries.
Australia’s stability near the top reflects its consistent health and safety performance. The Netherlands’ jump from fourteenth to first highlights strong health systems and inclusive social attitudes. Austria’s entry at third underlines growing traveller confidence in central Europe, while the UAE’s move up 11 places shows the payoff from years of security and infrastructure investment.
Iceland remains a favourite despite its natural hazard risks, and traditional high performers — Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand — all retain top-tier positions.
For brokers, these shifts suggest a market where destination-specific risk profiling is more relevant than ever. Trips to the Netherlands or Japan may support lower base rates, while itineraries involving Iceland, Hawaii, or parts of eastern Australia still warrant strong cancellation and catastrophe cover.
Gen Z travellers continue to favour the UAE, Canada and Denmark.
Millennial clients remain focused on Australia, Japan and New Zealand — markets suited to family, adventure and gadget cover extensions.
Parents show strong interest in Austria, Japan and the Netherlands; promoting medical access, paediatric support and child-related cancellation cover will resonate.
Mature travellers lean toward Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, where evacuation and pre-existing condition clarity are key selling points.
LGBTQIA+ clients rate Denmark, Australia and Canada highly, supporting messages around inclusive provider networks.
Reykjavik and Copenhagen continue to set the benchmark for low crime and infrastructure reliability. Zurich and Amsterdam deliver exceptional healthcare and transport safety but warrant reminders about personal-liability exposure. Honolulu, Sydney and Lisbon all balance strong safety with periodic natural hazards, reinforcing the value of cancellation and curtailment features. Tokyo remains among the safest megacities, though brokers should remind clients of Japan’s strict medication import rules.
The local travel insurance market remains concentrated. Allianz holds roughly 25 per cent share, followed closely by Zurich (including its Cover-More arm) at about 24 per cent. nib accounts for around 8.4 per cent, and IAG about 2.4 per cent. Other recognised players include Fast Cover, 1Cover, AIG Australia, InsureandGo, Qantas Insurance and the state motoring clubs such as RACV and NRMA.
With Amsterdam, Lisbon, Honolulu and Japan climbing in demand, brokers can expect renewed appetite for both outbound and inbound coverage. Domestic and trans-Tasman products anchored around Sydney’s safety ranking offer further room for growth.
Only travellers who had visited destinations in the past five years were surveyed. Their views were combined with external benchmarks including the Global Peace Index, Numbeo safety data and GeoSure Global scores. The research was completed in August 2025, so it reflects perceptions rather than real-time developments. For brokers, that means using these findings as context — not as a substitute for current travel advisories or claims experience.
The travel safety “Hall of Fame” remains unchanged: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and Japan continue to average top-ten positions since 2018.
Bottom line: For brokers, the 2026 rankings reinforce the need for nuanced advice — matching clients to destinations, clarifying exclusions and promoting products that combine solid protection with on-the-ground support. With Australia again among the world’s safest and Sydney holding its own globally, brokers are well placed to turn risk awareness into confident travel planning.
What’s moved
Top 15 countries for 2026: Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, UAE, Switzerland, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, France, United Kingdom, Denmark.
Top 15 cities for 2026: Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Zurich, Amsterdam, Honolulu, Sydney, Barcelona, Lisbon, Tokyo, Dublin, Venice, Seoul, London, Singapore, San Francisco.
