Safest cities in Spain: The definitive 2026 official ranking

Knowing if a city is safe is the determining factor before buying a home. At Fotocasa, we analyze the data from the 2025 Crime Report (Balance de Criminalidad) by the Ministry of the Interior so you can identify where to live with more peace of mind. Below, we present the direct ranking of security by cities, provinces, and autonomous communities.

What exactly are the safest and most dangerous cities in Spain today?

Is Spain a safe country to live in?

Yes, Spain is a safe country with a relatively low crime rate. Spain ranks 25th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2025. This positions it as one of the safest nations on the planet, standing out for its stability and low rates of violent conflict. However, conventional criminality varies significantly between cities.

The crime rate in Spain is 40.4 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, according to cross-referenced data from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE (National Statistics Institute) for 2025.

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Which are the 10 safest cities in Spain to live in?

The safest cities in Spain are Pozuelo de Alarcón, San Sebastián, and Tres Cantos. These urban centers present the lowest conventional crime rates in the country according to cross-referenced data from the INE and the Ministry of the Interior for 2025.

Top 10 Safest Cities in Spain: Cities with the Lowest Crime Rates (2025)

Source: Cross-referenced crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE for 2025

Which are the most dangerous cities in Spain?

The Spanish cities with the highest crime rates are El Prat de Llobregat, Castellón de la Plana, and Torrevieja, according to data from the INE and the Ministry of the Interior for 2025. In these locations, figures from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE reflect higher criminal activity concentrated in transport hubs or areas with a high influx of international tourists.

Top 10 Spanish cities with the highest crime rates (2025)

Source: Cross-referenced crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE for 2025

Important: The crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of crimes by the registered inhabitants. Therefore, cities with a floating population (tourists, airport passengers, or daily workers) usually show higher rates, as the actual volume of people is much higher than the official census.

Safety Ranking by Provinces and Autonomous Communities

The interior and the north of the peninsula are the regions with the lowest crime rates.

The 10 safest Spanish provinces and the 10 with the highest criminality

Teruel, Cáceres, and Lugo are the provinces with the lowest crime rates, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior in 2025. Illes Balears, Barcelona, and Girona lead the ranking of the most dangerous provinces in terms of crime rate in 2025.

Table: Top 10 Provinces with the lowest crime rate (2025)

Source: Cross-referenced crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE for 2025

Table: Top 10 Provinces with the highest crime rate (2025)

Source: Cross-referenced crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE for 2025

As shown in the table above, the pattern is evident: provinces with lower criminality coincide with areas of lower population density and rural environments or small-sized capitals. Conversely, the ranking for higher criminality is led by provinces that house the largest cities in Spain and the main tourist and logistical hubs. In these areas, the greater concentration of wealth, commerce, and movement of people naturally attracts higher levels of conventional criminal activity.

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Safety by Autonomous Communities (CCAA)

The Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Madrid lead the ranking of the most dangerous autonomous communities in Spain. Extremadura, Galicia, and Asturias are the safest autonomous communities to live in, according to crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior in 2025.

Criminality by Autonomous Community (Rate per 1,000 inhabitants – 2025)

Source: Cross-referenced crime statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and the INE for 2025

As the table above shows, the crime map in Spain reveals a clear geographical divide. Communities in the interior and the north of the peninsula show crime levels significantly lower than the national average (40.40). In contrast, coastal Mediterranean and island regions record higher rates, driven by tourism and the floating population.

Trend Analysis:

• Low criminality in the Northwest and Interior: Regions such as Extremadura, Galicia, and Asturias establish themselves as the safest areas in the country. This is due to a lower concentration of massive tourist hubs and a more stable population.

• The tourism and logistics factor: The Balearic Islands and Catalonia show the highest rates. This data does not imply they are dangerous regions “per se,” but rather that their calculation is affected by millions of annual tourists and activity at critical points like the Port of Barcelona or the Palma Airport. However, their crime rates remain relatively low.

• Madrid and the capital’s dynamism: The Community of Madrid exceeds the national average due to the intense commercial and transport activity of the capital, although cities in its belt (such as Pozuelo) lead the safety rankings.

Spain is, in general, a safe haven. Cities in the interior and the north offer the best indicators of peace of mind for living. A high rate in tourist cities is a response to their dynamism and does not always define the safety of their residential neighborhoods. Before buying a home, always check the crime rate of the province and visit the area at different times of the day.

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