Safety in Austria

Austria is consistently ranked among the world's safest countries. The 2025 Global Peace Index placed Austria 4th globally, ahead of Singapore, Denmark, and Canada. Violent crime is very rare.

Crime Overview

Statistics (2024):

Homicide rate: 0.79 per 100,000 (very low)
Total recorded offences: 534,193 (1.2% increase from 2023)
Clear-up rate: 52.9% (above 50%)
Violent crime: Rare
Most common: Property crime, petty theft

Safety by City

City	Safety Rating	Notes
Graz	Very High	University city, relaxed atmosphere
Linz	Very High	Safe, well-maintained
Salzburg	Very High	Tourist city, very safe
Innsbruck	Very High	Small, Alpine city, extremely safe
Vienna	High	Safe for a capital, tourist area pickpockets

Vienna areas to be aware of:

Praterstern area: Late at night
Favoriten (10th district): Some areas at night
Hauptbahnhof surroundings: Late hours

These areas are still safer than comparable areas in most world capitals.

Common Safety Issues

Pickpocketing:

Tourist areas (Stephansplatz, Schönbrunn, Christmas markets)
Public transit during rush hour
Train stations
Keep valuables secure, use inside pockets

Bicycle theft:

Common in cities, especially Vienna
Use quality U-lock
Register bike with police
Insure valuable bikes

Scams:

Rental scams (never pay before viewing)
ATM skimming (use indoor ATMs)
Overcharging in tourist restaurants
Generally rare

Emergency Services

Emergency Numbers:

112 — EU-wide emergency (all services)
133 — Police
144 — Ambulance
122 — Fire brigade
141 — Doctor on call

Response times: Excellent (5-10 minutes urban)

English speakers: Available on emergency lines

Natural Disasters

Moderate risks:

Avalanches: Alpine regions in winter (well-managed)
Flooding: Occasional in river valleys (Danube)
Severe storms: Rare but increasing
Earthquakes: Rare, generally mild

Social Safety

LGBTQ+ safety:

Generally safe, especially in Vienna
Same-sex marriage legal since 2019
Vienna has active LGBTQ+ scene
Smaller towns more conservative

Women's safety:

Very safe overall
Solo travel no issues
Public transit safe at night
Frauennotruf (women's helpline): 01 71 719

Discrimination:

Generally low
Vienna very international
Smaller communities can be less diverse
Anti-discrimination laws in place

Insurance

Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung):

Highly recommended
€50-100/year
Covers damage you cause to others
Many landlords require it

Household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung):

Covers theft and damage to belongings
€100-200/year
Often includes liability coverage

Pro Tips

•Austria is the 4th most peaceful country in the world — very safe
•Pickpockets target tourist areas — keep valuables in inside pockets
•Use quality bike locks — bicycle theft is the most common crime
•Emergency numbers: 112 (all), 133 (police), 144 (ambulance)
•Get Haushaltsversicherung (household insurance) — often includes liability coverage

Safety