When you want to work, live, and study in Germany, it is necessary to choose the best and safest German city. Each German city has its own characteristics and unique charm. However, IMHO, not all cities are safe enough. This article introduces the safest cities in Germany, the most dangerous cities, and tips for protecting yourself while living in Germany.
Factors that Measure Safest Cities in Germany
The criteria for judging the “safest” cities may vary depending on the criteria used, including crime rates, traffic conditions, environmental factors and other aspects. Here we will focus on crime statistics used to assess the safety of cities. The number of registered crimes per resident calculated from Police Crime Statistics (PKS) is used.
The safest cities in Germany should have the lowest crime rates, a sound legal system, and a social environment that makes people feel safe. As a developed country in Europe, Germany has good overall public security and is a relatively safe country, but there are also some potential safety hazards. The government attaches great importance to public security and has taken a number of measures to maintain social stability and public safety. In the streets and alleys of many cities in Germany, police patrols can be seen everywhere, providing security for citizens and international students.
Overview: Top 10 Safest Cities in Germany
Every spring, the Federal Criminal Police Office publishes police crime statistics (Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik, PKS). These statistics provide a detailed overview of all crimes reported to the police during the previous year in large cities with 100,000 inhabitants or more. These crimes include theft, fraud, property damage, bodily injury, drug crimes, and other crimes.
So what is the best German city that’s the safest? According to the number of crimes recorded by the police per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany by city, we made a list of the safest cities in Germany. Let’s see the cities with the lowest crime rate in Germany.
| Number of crimes recorded by the police per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany by city | ||
|---|---|---|
| The 10 Safest Cities in Germany |
||
| Die 10 Sichersten Städte Deutschlands | ||
| Ranking | City | Crime Numbers |
| 1 | Munich | 5,824 |
| 2 | Augsburg | 7,079 |
| 3 | Wiesbaden | 7,080 |
| 4 | Mainz | 7,114 |
| 5 | Bielefeld | 7,263 |
| 6 | Nuremberg | 7,619 |
| 7 | Oberhausen | 7,955 |
| 8 | Braunschweig | 8,049 |
| 9 | Stuttgart | 8,259 |
| 10 | Chemnitz | 8,261 |
Many people may be surprised that some well-known big cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, etc., are not among the safest cities. On the contrary, they are even among the cities with the highest crime rates! So why are these cities shown in the picture above safe? Let’s take a look together.
Best and Safest Cities in Germany
Is Munich Germany Safe?
| Factor | Data |
|---|---|
| Crime index | 20.71 |
| Safety index | 79.29 |
| Safety walking alone during night | 73.59 |
| Recorded Crimes | 5,824/100,000 |
| Safest neighborhoods in munich | Bogenhausen, Altstadt-Lehel, Schwabing, Glockenbachviertel |
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and is famous for its Oktoberfest and Christmas markets. It has a population of 1.5 million, but the crime rate is very low, making it one of the cities with the lowest crime rates in Germany and even Europe! Only minor felonies such as pickpocketing or bicycle theft are reported occasionally. The safe social environment makes it a top choice for foreign tourists and single women traveling, as well as international students. With well-lit streets, reliable public transportation, and a strong police presence, visitors can safely explore the charm of this city, whether it is the busy city center or the vibrant beer gardens.
Augsburg - The "Historical Museum" of Bavaria
Founded by the Romans in 15 BC, Augsburg is the oldest city in Bavaria. It’s located about 30 miles (50 km) west of Munich, a little off the beaten path for international tourists. But its streets and buildings are packed with history: stunning architecture and medieval homes, beautiful town halls, cathedrals, and magnificent palaces. Many famous people have once lived here, including playwright Bertolt Brecht, painters Hans Holbein the Elder and the Younger, and the wealthy Fugger and Welser families who dominated European banking in the 16th century.
As one of the safest cities in Germany, Augsburg has lower crime rates in the northwest, and higher crime rates in the northeast. However, it is worth noting that Augsburg’s crime rate has been on the rise in the past two years. The number of crimes per 100,000 residents has increased by more than 400 compared to the previous year.
| Factor | Data |
|---|---|
| Crime index | 30.48 |
| Safety index | 69.52 |
| Safety walking alone during night | 58.55 |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,079/100,000 |
| Safest areas in Augsburg | Altstadt(Old Town), Bahnhofs-Bismarckviertel, Textilviertel |
Wiesbaden - Meadow Baths away from Hustle and Bustle
Wiesbaden is the capital of the German state of Hesse and the second largest city in the state after Frankfurt. While foreign visitors may be unfamiliar with this city, it is an ideal destination for many people to settle in Germany. Built on the banks of a river, Wiesbaden’s name means “meadow bath”. It developed around the natural hot springs that are now the city’s claim to fame. It is one of the most low-key and quaint settlements in Germany. Located a few miles west of the more famous Frankfurt, Wiesbaden is arguably one of the oldest spa towns in all of Europe.
Whether you want to seek quiet solace or want to experience the traditional German spa town lifestyle, Wiesbaden can meet your needs. There are excellent residential areas here, and many wealthy people and people who need quiet recuperation live here, so the public security here is also relatively good.
| Factor | Data |
|---|---|
| Crime index | 48.29 |
| Safety index | 51.71 |
| Safety walking alone during night | 37.82 |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,080/100,000 |
| Safest areas in Wiesbaden | Wiesbaden-Mitte, Schierstein, Nordost |
Mainz - Freedom, Beauty, and Convenience
Mainz is considered one of the best cities to live in Germany, with its unique blend of history and modernity, as well as a safe urban environment. Many large media companies are located here, including the headquarters of Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF.
The city’s history is reflected in its many beautiful historic buildings, including the famous Mainz Cathedral, which is over 1,000 years old. Many recreational opportunities are offered, such as walking and cycling paths along the Rhine, beautiful parks, and a lively cultural scene. Mainz is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, so it is home to many important administrative and political institutions.
Mainz is a university city, offering excellent education. Lots of students and young people live here, so the city has a very lively and vibrant atmosphere. The low crime rate also adds to the charm of this city. Mainz is also an expats-friendly place to live, especially in the Neustadt district. The area has good infrastructure, with several tram and bus lines connecting the area to other parts of Dresden.
| Factor | Data |
|---|---|
| Crime index | 31.19 |
| Safety index | 68.81 |
| Safety walking alone during night |
60.17 |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,114/100,000 |
| Safest areas in Mainz | Neustadt, Ebersheim, Gonsenheim |
Bielefeld - Peaceful Residential Areas and Green Spaces
Bielefeld is one of the safest cities in Germany and is a hidden gem that combines the prosperity of a modern city with the historical charm of an old town. The cost of living is affordable. And the excellent public transportation system and high quality of life make it an ideal choice for individuals and families. At the same time, Bielefeld’s strong job market and educational opportunities further enhance its appeal to young people and families with children.
Bielefeld is safe, clean, and has a strong community spirit. Although compared with big cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, the nightlife and cultural activities in Bielefeld are not as rich, it is this leisurely pace of life that makes the city attractive. Residents can easily get in touch with nature and breathe fresh air outdoors. However, you don’t have to worry about infrastructure at all. Bielefeld will provide you with a very high quality of life, including schools, medical facilities, and shopping centers, offering residents convenient basic services.
| Factor | Data |
|---|---|
| Crime index | 38.79 |
| Safety index | 61.21 |
| Safety walking alone during night |
60.17 |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,263/100,000 |
| Safest areas in Bielefeld | Jöllenbeck, Sennestadt, Brackwede |
Nuremberg - A Classical and Stable City
Nuremberg is generally a very safe destination for solo travelers. The city’s welcoming atmosphere and well-developed infrastructure create a safe environment for exploration. At the same time, public areas are well maintained and law enforcement is very effective and responsive. Even the old town has security cameras and surveillance.
If you’re a tourist, the attraction areas are safe both during the day and at night. The public transportation is reliable, with frequent tram and bus services. Pickpocketing incidents are rare, but visitors should still be careful to keep their belongings safe in crowded areas.
For women, Nuremberg is a safe place for women. Women living in Nuremberg consider the crime rate is very low, at 1.4 out of 5. However, women should still avoid walking alone in remote areas at night.
| Factor | Data | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crime index | 36.07 | Low |
| Safety index | 63.93 | High |
| Crime rate for women | 1.4/5 | Very Low |
| Safety walking alone during night |
53.37 | Moderate |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,619/100,000 | |
| Safest areas in Nuremberg | Altstadt, St. Johannis, Gärten hinter der Veste | |
Oberhausen - Looking up at the stars from gasometers
As part of the Ruhr industrial area, Oberhausen has successfully achieved an extraordinary transformation from industry to culture. Oberhausen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, which is known for its film festival, world-class education, and shopping opportunities. It is also a great destination for expats looking for a new home in Germany. The Oberhausen Film Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Germany. The city hosts many music festivals each year and is home to many museums, galleries, and theaters. The biggest shopping center in Germany, Westfield Centro is located in Oberhausen.
| Factor | Data | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crime index | 43.87 | Moderate |
| Safety index | 56.13 | Moderate |
| Crime rate for women | 1.0/5 | Very Low |
| Safety walking alone during night |
45.83 | Moderate |
| Recorded Crimes | 7,955/100,000 | |
Braunschweig - Ancient and Mysterious Characters
Brunswick is generally a pretty pleasant place to live. The crime rate here is lower than the national average in Germany. Violent crime, in particular, is rare. The Technical University of Braunschweig (Technische Universität Braunschweig) is located in this city. It is one of the famous science and engineering universities in Germany and a member of the TU9 alliance of nine German universities of excellence. Many international students and young people live here. Public areas are well-secured, and women living here also think they are safe. The local police are very enthusiastic and proactive.
Brunswick is the second largest city in Lower Saxony in northern Germany, with a population of approximately 250,000. It is an important center for commercial and scientific research and development. The medieval-style buildings are centered on the Castle Square in the city center and extend in all directions. They are ancient, mysterious and have strong ethnic characteristics. It has witnessed the prosperity of this place, and also saw the wars of hard times. In addition, the famous buildings in the city include Brunswick Cathedral, the Gewandhaus, the Old Town Hall, St. Catherine’s Church, etc., all of which exude a majestic spirit.
| Factor | Data | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crime index | 26.7 | Low |
| Safety index | 73.3 | High |
| Crime rate for women | 1.0/5 | Very Low |
| Safety walking alone during night |
63.16 | High |
| Recorded Crimes | 8,049/100,000 | |
Stuttgart - Synonymous with Innovation & Technology
Stuttgart has been rated as one of the safest cities in Germany for many years. It is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, with a prosperous economy, good public security, and high living standards. Many multinational companies are headquartered here, such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. They provide a large number of jobs and contribute to the prosperity and security of the city. Stuttgart is an ideal destination for many international students, especially those who are interested in the automotive industry. If you are good enough, you may get the opportunity to intern or work in these automotive giants!
Life in Stuttgart is very diverse and you can realize all your possibilities here. It perfectly combines technology and innovation, art and culture. The Mitte district includes the business center and most of the campuses. The West District is densely populated, where students and young people can rent affordable housing. The East District is a little far from the city center, where people who love nature can come to breathe fresh air and relax.
| Factor | Data | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crime index | 34.73 | Low |
| Safety index | 65.27 | High |
| Crime rate for women | 1.8/5 | Low |
| Safety walking alone during night |
54.6 | Moderate |
| Recorded Crimes | 8,259/100,000 | |
| Safest areas in Stuttgart | Mitte, West, Ost, Degerloch | |
Chemnitz - Heart of Southwest Saxony
Although Chemnitz does not have as many attractions as the big cities, it has its own unique history and charm. Chemnitz was one of the most important centers of German industrial culture, and some of its huge industrial cathedrals still characterize Chemnitz today.
Chemnitz has been named European Capital of Culture 2025 and is well worth a visit. A safe social environment allows visitors to fully explore the city’s fascinating industrial heritage. It’s also a great choice for nature lovers and those who enjoy the outdoors. Saxony’s beautiful Erzgebirge Mountains are just outside the city, making it a great option for combining city and nature exploration.
| Factor | Data | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crime index | 47.39 | Moderate |
| Safety index | 52.61 | High |
| Crime rate for women | 1.8/5 | Low |
| Safety walking alone during night |
38.24 | Low |
| Recorded Crimes | 8,261/100,000 | |
| Safest areas in Chemnitz | Zentrum, Kaßberg, Schlosschemnitz | |
10 Least Safe Cities in Germany
The PKS data compares large cities with a population of 100,000 or more. This is the number of residents a city needs to be officially considered a large city. Now, let’s look at cities with a population of 200,000 or more, which cities are dangerous due to the amount of crime. Below are the 10 most dangerous cities in Germany according to the data, and you may be surprised.
| The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Germany |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Die 10 gefährlichsten Städte Deutschlands | |||||
| Ranking | City | Number of Crimes Per 100,000 inhabitants |
Compared with the Previous Year | Crime Index | Safety Index |
| 1 | Frankfurt | 14,871/100,000 | 5.4% increase | 45.9 | 54.1 |
| 2 | Berlin | 14,291/100,000 | 1.1% increase | 44.62 | 55.38 |
| 3 | Bremen | 14,274/100,000 | 22% increase | 48.02 | 51.98 |
| 4 | Hanover | 14,125/100,000 | 8.04% increase | 46.5 | 53.5 |
| 5 | Magdeburg | 13,507/100,000 | 16.72% increase | 30.85 | 69.15 |
| 6 | Cologne | 12,746/100,000 | 7.31% increase | 43.23 | 56.77 |
| 7 | Halle an der Saale | 12,701/100,000 | 12.75% increase | 53.18 | 46.82 |
| 8 | Dusseldorf | 12,617/100,000 | 11% increase | 35.34 | 64.66 |
| 9 | Hamburg | 12,074/100,000 | 10% increase | 42.59 | 57.41 |
| 10 | Aachen | 12,054/100,000 | 5.25% increase | 33.39 | 66.61 |
Is Frankfurt a safe city? What is the Berlin Germany crime rate? You may find the answer from the table above.
As the capital of Germany, many people are surprised that Berlin ranks among the top three cities with the worst public security. Also, Frankfurt has always been a city in Germany with relatively serious crime problems. On the one hand, this is because of the red-light district in the city center. On the other hand, pickpocketing incidents are common at Frankfurt Airport, the European shipping hub.
These crimes include car theft, housebreaking, pickpocketing and street violence. German police pointed out that the large floating population in big cities often makes residents unfamiliar with each other, which gives thieves more opportunities to take advantage.
Among the 16 German states, Bavaria in southern Germany and Baden-Württemberg in the southwest are the safest regions. This can be seen from the fact that Munich is always the safest city in Germany. Last year in Bavaria, there were only 5,073 crimes per 100,000 people, while in North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, the number of crimes increased by 40%.
How to Keep Safe When Living in Germany
For students who are about to study in Germany, or people who work and live here, how can they better ensure their safety? Here are some suggestions:
- Book Safe Accommodation
Where you live is one of the most important things to ensure your safety. Choose an apartment in a safe neighborhood with a low crime rate and sufficient police resources. The apartment should have complete security measures. Students can reserve accommodation at uhomes.com, a reliable and professional rental portal. Such as student housing in Berlin, and student accommodation in Munich. Security guards, CCTV, and entry systems are equipped to protect residents’ safety.
- Don’t carry much money on the street
Don’t carry too much cash around, especially in less crowded places or when you go out at night. In the event of pickpocketing, you can suffer property damage and even bodily harm. Minimize your financial risk!
- Memorize emergency numbers
Always remember the police number 110 and the ambulance number 112. You need help quickly, especially in stressful situations or if there is a specific threat.
- Lock doors and windows at night
Always keep your doors and windows closed as this can reduce the overall risk of a burglary. Most criminals are looking for easy prey. This means that a closed window can have some unpleasant consequences.
- Avoid conflicts with others
Try to avoid any confrontations with strangers. Otherwise, there is a good chance that you will find yourself in a dangerous situation very quickly. Instead, it is better to react calmly and keep your distance so that you will be safe.
Conclusion
Overall, Germany is a very safe country and has consistently been ranked among the top 20 safest countries in the world. For tourists who are about to travel to Germany or students who are coming here to study, it is very necessary to know in advance which cities are safe and which are dangerous. Munich, Mainz, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and Stuttgart are among the safest cities. But some biggest cities are pretty dangerous, such as Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Bremen, etc. In short, no matter which city you stop in, please protect yourself and your finances.
FAQ
What are best cities to live in Germany?
The best cities to live in Germany include Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Heidelberg. Each city has its own style and unique history. Whether you prefer bustling city life or quiet nature, you’ll find the best place to live in Germany.
Which city in Germany has the lowest crime rate?
Munich. It has been the city with the lowest crime rate in Germany for six consecutive years. Besides, Mainz, Bielefeld, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart also rank highly in safety index.
What are the most student-friendly cities in Germany to live in?
Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Hamburg, and Karlsruher are among the most student-friendly cities in Germany. These cities have world-renowned universities and colleges, which attract many students from all over the world every year.
Where do most Americans live in Germany?
Berlin can be the first choice for many Americans. Berlin is recognized as “one of the coolest cities in the world”. It is full of modern vitality, but also has a sense of history.
How safe is Germany for tourists?
Overall, Germany is a very ideal and safe travel destination, even for solo travelers or women. However, it is still not recommended to walk alone in sparsely populated areas or travel at night.
