Crime in Germany: How Safe Is It to Live in the Country?

Germany is generally seen as a safe country for living, studying, and moving to, but the word “safe” needs context here. The level of risk depends on the city, neighbourhood, time of day, a person’s habits, and the type of crime in question: street safety, theft, domestic violence, fraud, and cybercrime all show different trends.

What official statistics show

The main source for recorded crime in Germany is the Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik (PKS), published by the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA). This is police statistics: it reflects cases that became known to the police, not all crimes that were actually committed. The PKS is therefore useful for understanding trends, but it cannot be read as a complete picture of safety.

According to the published PKS 2025, police recorded about 5.5 million offences, fewer than in 2024. This does not mean that every type of crime declined equally: some categories may fall while others rise, and trends are influenced by changes in the law, police activity, people’s willingness to report crimes, and recording practices.

Why simple conclusions about migration and crime are misleading

Discussions of safety often try to directly link migration with rising crime. That conclusion oversimplifies the picture. Suspect statistics are not the same as conviction statistics, and comparing groups without accounting for age, gender, social circumstances, residence status, police checks, and the structure of offences leads to distorted conclusions.

It is more accurate to look at specific crime categories, the region, social factors, and recording methods. For residents and newcomers, the more practical question is which risks are more common in a particular city and how to behave in order to reduce the likelihood of problems.

How safety feels in everyday life

Many newcomers do say that Germany feels calmer than the countries they moved from. In most cities, people freely use public transport late in the evening, leave bicycles near stations, walk in parks, and contact the police without fearing arbitrary treatment.

But that is no reason to ignore basic precautions. Pickpocketing, bicycle theft, rental scams, online phishing, and aggressive behaviour in certain places also occur in Germany. It is especially worth being careful at stations, large events, tourist areas, and with listings that request advance payment before you have viewed the apartment.

Cybercrime and fraud

Cybercrime remains a distinct risk. The BKA regularly covers it in separate Lagebilder: this includes phishing, malware, data theft, ransomware, online-shopping fraud, and attacks on companies. For ordinary residents, the most likely threats are not “hacker attacks” in the cinematic sense, but fake emails from banks, fraudulent delivery websites, scams on Kleinanzeigen, fraudulent links, and attempts to obtain confirmation codes.

What to do to reduce risks

• Check the neighbourhood before renting: look at public transport, lighting, residents’ reviews, and statistics for the federal state or city if they are available.
• Do not leave your phone, wallet, or documents unattended in a café, on a train, or in a library.
• Use a sturdy bicycle lock and, where possible, secure the frame rather than only the wheel.
• Do not transfer a housing deposit before viewing the apartment and checking the contract.
• Enable two-factor authentication for your bank, email, insurance, and public-service accounts.
• In the event of a threat, attack, or dangerous situation, call 110; for a medical emergency, call 112.

Where to check information

For a general overview, use the BKA website and the annual Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik. For the local situation, it is more useful to check police reports for the specific federal state or city: safety can feel very different in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, a small university town, and a rural area.

FAQ

Is Germany safer than other European countries?

There is no definitive answer: comparisons depend on the methodology, crime category, and region. In everyday terms, Germany is usually comfortable to live in, but the level of risk varies between cities and neighbourhoods.

Can you walk alone at night?

In many places, yes, but this is not a universal rule. Assess the neighbourhood, transport, lighting, and number of people around you, and avoid confrontational situations.

Should I be afraid of cyber fraud?

There is no need to be afraid, but it is worth staying alert. Do not follow suspicious links, do not send confirmation codes to third parties, and check website domains before paying.

What should I do if I become a victim of a crime?

In immediate danger, call 110. If there is no immediate threat, you can contact the nearest police station or file a report online through the police portal of your federal state.